Written question asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 February 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 February 2025. It was answered by Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Israel: Palestinians

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken (1) to address and tackle disinformation surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and (2) to challenge dehumanising language and racist tropes in conflict situations.

Answer: We recognise that dehumanising language and hate speech can lay the ground for and justify identity-based violence in conflict. The proliferation of harmful online narratives and its impact on conflict is an emerging challenge. Partnering with specialist organisations, the FCDO is working to identify global best practices for mitigating harmful digital behaviours in conflict - including misinformation, disinformation and hate speech - and considering how action on such digital harms can be integrated into our wider approach to conflict and atrocity prevention.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL4709
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Armed conflict Human rights Israel Palestine Racial hatred Disinformation
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk