United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
Selaine’s response:
The Government wants to see an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible and is calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.
I agree with the UK Government that South Africa’s case at the ICJ is not helping to achieve the goal of a sustainable ceasefire. Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with international humanitarian law (IHL) as the UK Government has made clear from the outset. I share the Government’s view that Israel’s actions in Gaza cannot be described as genocide, and believed South Africa’s decision to bring the case was wrong and provocative.
Of course, I respect the role and independence of the ICJ. I welcome the court’s call for the immediate release of hostages and the need to get more aid into Gaza.
On UNRWA, I am appalled by allegations that any agency staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism. I support the UK's decision to pause any future funding of UNRWA whilst these concerning allegations are reviewed. The United States, Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands have all temporarily paused funding too.
I want to make clear that the UK remains committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. The Government is getting on with aid delivery, funding multiple implementing partners including other UN agencies and international and UK NGOs. This support is helping people in Gaza get food, water, shelter and medicines.
The commitment to trebling aid to Gaza still stands and the UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme and Egyptian Red Crescent Society to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.
Indeed, the UK will continue to support the United Nations World Food Programme to deliver a new humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza. 750 tonnes of life saving food aid arrived in the first delivery and 315 tonnes in the second delivery.
Finally, the Government regularly reviews Israel’s capability and commitment to IHL and acts in accordance with that advice, for example when considering export licences.
February 2024
Israel-Hamas Conflict: War Crimes
Selaine’s response:
A tragedy has unfolded in the Middle East. Israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas, and Palestinian civilians in Gaza are experiencing a humanitarian disaster. My thoughts are with all those affected.
The UK Government supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, but is also clear that Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). I know that the Government keeps under continuous review whether they are abiding by their obligations.
The Government continues to call for IHL to be respected and for civilians to be protected. As the Foreign Secretary outlined, Israel plans to act within IHL and has the ability to do so, but I share Ministers' deep concerns about the impact on the civilian population in Gaza. Too many civilians have been killed and the UK wants to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians and destroying homes.
Nobody wants to see this conflict last a moment longer than necessary, and I welcome that the UK Government is supporting a sustainable ceasefire. For a ceasefire to be sustainable, the conditions need to be in place for it not to collapse within a few days.
There is no perfect formula for peace. Clearly, however, leaving Hamas in power in Gaza would be a permanent roadblock to a two state solution. A ceasefire would also not last if hostages are still being held. A sustainable ceasefire must mean that Hamas is no longer there, able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism.
Ahead of a permanent ceasefire, the UK wants to see immediate and sustained humanitarian pauses. This will allow a window for hostages to leave and more aid to enter Gaza. The UK Government continues to work with its partners towards a two state solution, which remains the only viable long term solution.
Regarding South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), I agree with the UK Government that this development is unhelpful and do not support it.
Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, in accordance with IHL. I do not believe that calling this genocide is the right approach. It is wrong to say that Israeli leadership, and Israel as a country, have the intention to commit genocide.
Ultimately, it is for courts to decide on matters of genocide, not for states, and the UK Government respects the role and independence of the ICJ.
January 2024
Hospitals in Gaza
Selaine’s response:
I support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, but it must comply with International Humanitarian Law. Too many civilians have been killed and we want to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians and destroying homes.
There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. Our focus must be on practical solutions that save lives. The UK is doing everything it can to get more aid into Gaza. The UK has trebled its aid commitment this financial year and is pushing for the opening of more crossings into Gaza. The Government also wants to see water, fuel and electricity connections restored.
I am also proud of the leading role the UK played in securing the passage of UN Security Council resolution 2720, which made clear the urgent demand for expanded humanitarian access.
Nobody wants to see this conflict last a moment longer than necessary. I believe that the UK’s call for a sustainable ceasefire is the right approach. For a ceasefire to be sustainable, the conditions need to be in place for it not to collapse within a few days. There is no perfect formula for peace. Clearly, however, leaving Hamas in power in Gaza would be a permanent roadblock to a two state solution. A ceasefire would also not last if hostages are still being held.
A sustainable ceasefire must mean that Hamas is no longer there, able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism.
Ahead of a permanent ceasefire, the UK wants to see immediate and sustained humanitarian pauses. I want to see a humanitarian pause now to allow humanitarian actors and Gazans to operate and move safely, and enable hostages to be released.
January 2024
Selaine's response - Ceasefire vote 15th November 2023
The ongoing humanitarian crisis is heart breaking to watch, and the human cost in both Israel and Gaza is far too high.
Instead of this escalating violence, I too want to see a ceasefire. Unfortunately, just wanting a ceasefire, or even voting to show Parliament’s desire for one will not bring one about. Both sides have made clear that as things stand they will not consider a ceasefire, and even if one were suddenly brought about it would only pause the violence.
The Israelis will not agree to a ceasefire unless their hostages are freed, Hamas’s ability to launch attacks like that on 7th October is dismantled and Hamas is no longer in control of Gaza.
Hamas officials have said that they will not stop fighting. Ghazi Ahmed, a senior Hamas member, said on 1st November: “The al-Aqsa Flood (Hamas’s name for the 7th October attack) is just the first time and there will be a second, a third, a fourth because we have the determination, the resolve and the capabilities to fight”. He continued: “The existence of Israel is what causes all that pain, blood and tears”.
If Israel were to agree to a unilateral ceasefire, Hamas has in no way indicated that it would release the hostages it took on October 7th. The holding of hostages is a hostile act, and so this would not be a true ceasefire. Whilst we may want a ceasefire, neither Israel nor Hamas have indicated they are in a position to consider one.
Given the entrenched positions on both sides of the conflict, and the historic tensions in the region, a ceasefire will only be brought about by sustained and open hearted diplomacy where the civilians of Gaza and Israel are put first. I understand people’s desire to see more dramatic intervention in the conflict, and it is the role of Parliament to both express the concerns of the British people to the Government and to scrutinise their actions.
But the current votes being proposed by various MPs do not achieve these goals, they are a distraction from the work of the Foreign Office and are laid in the knowledge that they will not change the ongoing diplomatic work. Hence, I will not be voting for the ceasefire amendments to the Kings Speech.
The diplomacy involved is working beyond the binary yes or no of a ceasefire. The UK and its allies are working with countries in the region such as Qatar, who is talking with Hamas, to secure more likely options. In the short term humanitarian pauses, and the release of hostages are more viable options. I hope that both of these can be brought about as soon as possible. And when suitable I will consider any motion that comes before the House, and express yours and other constituents’ opinion on the conflict.
As we have seen over past decades when the conflict reaches a point where a ceasefire can be considered we must work on supporting a sustainable two state solution. Without such considerations in place violence will inevitably return to the region. I hope to see Israel and Palestine securely co-existing side by side. I strongly empathise with your calls for a ceasefire now, but we must focus on building a stable, long term peace in the region.
Selaine's response 1st November 2023
The events we have seen unfolding in Israel are truly horrific. I join the UK Government in utterly condemning the appalling attacks perpetrated by Hamas, standing resolutely with Israel in defending itself against terror, and highlighting the need to act in accordance with international humanitarian law. My thoughts are with all those who have been affected.
The UK recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and supports a lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike. However, Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people or their aspirations; it offers nothing for them other than more terror and more bloodshed. I respect Israel’s right to retaliate against the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, take back the hostages, deter further incursions and strengthen its long-term security.
The loss of every innocent life is a tragedy, and while acknowledging that Hamas has enmeshed itself behind the civilian population of Gaza, the UK Prime Minister has called on and will continue to call on the Israeli Government to act in accordance with international humanitarian law and take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians. The UK Foreign Secretary has also called for discipline, professionalism and restraint from the Israeli military.
The UK Government’s response is now focused on getting humanitarian aid into Gaza, and I hope that a humanitarian pause in the conflict will facilitate this; preventing regional escalation and supporting long term solutions to the crisis.
The UK is already a significant provider of aid to the Palestinian people, but in light of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza, the Government has increased its humanitarian support by £30 million, more than doubling our existing aid commitment for this year (£27 million). To support regional stability, Ministers have increased our military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, deploying a Royal Navy task group and bolstering our forces in Cyprus. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have also been engaging extensively with their international counterparts, to try and prevent escalation of this devastating conflict.
I note there have been calls for the UK to push for a ceasefire. The UK is working via all diplomatic channels, bilaterally and collectively in the region, to ensure that this conflict, which has cost so many lives already, can be brought to a halt.
Selaine's response 18th October 2023
This week I listened carefully to the Prime Minister’s statement in the House of Commons and the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly’s cross party briefing.
The events unfolding in Israel and Gaza are truly horrifying. I join the UK Government in wholly condemning the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad that began on 7 October, and in standing resolutely with Israel as it seeks to defend itself against these atrocities, but it is vital this is done in accordance with international law. The Government is working hard to support British citizens directly affected by these terrible attacks. My thoughts are with those affected, especially the families of those civilians who have been murdered.
The rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza is also troubling. The UK Prime Minister and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed Israel’s response against Hamas in Gaza during a call on 12 October. Acknowledging that the terrorist organisation has embedded itself in the civilian population in Gaza, our Prime Minister highlighted the importance of taking all possible measures to protect ordinary Palestinians and facilitate much needed humanitarian aid.
The loss of all life is tragic, and many innocent Palestinians are victims of Hamas and the spreading violence too. Hearing from both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary I am reassured that the United Kingdom is working with allies and regional actors to provide aid to Palestinians. I also understand the difficulties the British Muslim community is facing at this time, and the fear of further conflict.
I welcome the support the Government is providing to the British Jewish community, including the additional three million pounds for the Community Secretary Trust to protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings.
It is vital that the international community works together to relieve the impact on civilians, a point the UK Prime Minister emphasised during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Sweden ahead of the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Gotland on 13 October. I understand that he has also spoken with the Egyptian President, and the Foreign Secretary reiterated the importance of opening the Rafah crossing to allow for humanitarian access and provide a route for British and other nationals to leave Gaza, and that we now have Border Force in Eqypt working with our embassy to help with crossings. UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials have also been closely engaged with UN efforts to secure humanitarian access and scale up the response.
I welcome the cross party agreement that every precaution must be taken to protect innocent civilians from harm as we stand alongside the people of Israel against the brutal terrorist group Hamas. This is a fast moving situation, and it Is not always clear where responsibility lies for some missiles in this rapidly evolving conflict, and I will continue to follow developments closely, and seek clarity and accurate information.
However, the reality is that Hamas have no interest in a ceasefire. They have no interest in resolution, have never attempted to engage in a two state solution and have made every attempt to collapse the Oslo process. I must reiterate that Israel has the right to take action to defend itself and to recover its hostages, and the UK, while respecting that, will always encourage it to adhere to international law and protect civilians.
Looking to the long term, it is clear that we must not lose sight of how essential a two state solution is. I welcome that the UK will work with international partners to bring renewed energy to this effort.
I will be sure to follow this fast moving situation closely.