😔 Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

• The UK supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, with a sovereign Palestinian state including the West Bank and Gaza alongside a secure Israel, with Jerusalem as a shared capital.
• The UK is committed to maintaining the ceasefire, releasing hostages, and ensuring aid reaches Gaza, emphasizing that Palestinians should determine Gaza’s future with support from regional and international communities.
• The UK opposes any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and supports their right to return and rebuild their homes, which is protected under international law.
• The UK has pledged £70 million in additional funding to support healthcare, food, and shelter in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
• Concerns were raised about Israel’s military operations in the West Bank, with the UK urging Israel to show restraint and protect civilians while opposing illegal settlements and settler violence.
• The US President’s remarks about the potential forced displacement of Palestinians were criticized as reckless, with calls for the UK to reject these statements and advocate for Palestinian state recognition.
• The UK Government is considering the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the Israeli occupation and stressed the importance of international law.
• The release of hostages by Hamas was discussed, with demands for the safe return of all hostages and requests for details on UK support in these efforts.
• The UK is working closely with Egypt to support medical evacuees from Gaza and is monitoring the impact of US aid decisions on humanitarian efforts in the region.
• There were calls for the UK to lead international efforts for Gaza’s reconstruction, ensuring it aligns with the needs and rights of the Palestinian people.
• Discussions included the need for peacebuilding between Israeli and Palestinian communities, with the UK considering contributions through an international fund for peace.
• The UK condemned the abuse and violence faced by both Jewish and Muslim communities in the country since the conflict began.
• The UK noted concerns about Amnesty International’s reports on economic activities with illegal Israeli settlements, acknowledging their illegality under international law.
• The urgency of recognizing a Palestinian state was highlighted as a means to protect Palestinians from continued violence and displacement.

The session displayed significant disagreement primarily around the issue of the displacement of Palestinians and the recognition of a Palestinian state. Here are some examples of the disagreements observed:

1. Displacement of Palestinians: There was clear disagreement over the comments made by the US President about potentially displacing Palestinians from Gaza. Andy McDonald (Lab) strongly criticized these remarks, calling them ‘reckless and dangerous’, and described the advocated displacement as a ‘war crime’ and ‘ethnic cleansing’. Anneliese Dodds (Minister) reiterated the UK’s opposition to forced displacement but did not directly condemn the US President’s remarks, instead focusing on the UK’s position and the legal rights of Palestinians to return to their homes.

2. Recognition of Palestinian State: Several MPs, including Andy McDonald and Monica Harding (LD), urged the UK to recognize a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. The Minister responded by emphasizing the UK’s commitment to a two-state solution but did not commit to immediate recognition, stating that the timing needed to be carefully considered. This shows disagreement over the urgency and timing of recognition.

3. International Law and Sanctions: There were disagreements about the enforcement of international law and the application of sanctions against Israel. Richard Burgon (Lab) called for widespread sanctions against Israel, likening it to the sanctions imposed on Russia. The Minister responded by outlining existing actions such as the suspension of arms export licenses but did not indicate a willingness to expand sanctions further.

4. Settlement Expansion: The issue of Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank also sparked disagreement, with several MPs expressing concern over its impacts. The Minister consistently condemned settlement expansion as illegal and an obstacle to peace, aligning with the MPs’ views, but there was disagreement on the strength and scope of actions to be taken against it.

5. US Policy and Influence: There was underlying disagreement on the approach to the US’s policy towards the conflict. While MPs like Kit Malthouse (Con) criticized the perceived ‘weakness and vacillation’ of both the current and previous UK governments in dealing with the US and Israel, the Minister highlighted the diplomatic efforts made by the UK and the importance of working with international partners.

Given the numerous instances of disagreement on critical issues such as displacement, state recognition, international law, and settlement expansion, despite some areas of alignment (like opposition to forced displacement), the session is rated a 4 for disagreement.