😟 Oral Answers to Questions

• Palestinians in Gaza:
  • The UK opposes forced displacement of Palestinians and the reduction of Gaza’s territory. They stress the importance of a ceasefire and support for Palestinians to live and prosper in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
  • The Government aims to work with US President Trump and others to ensure the ceasefire becomes permanent and results in a two-state solution, including a sovereign Palestinian state.
• UNRWA and Funding:
  • Concerns were raised about UK funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) due to its reported links with Hamas. The UK is reviewing its support, noting UNRWA’s investigation of these allegations.
• West Bank and Israeli Settlements:
  • The UK condemned settler violence and illegal expansion in the West Bank, with calls to sanction those responsible and to prevent further annexation and forced displacement by Israeli forces.
  • The Government is working with international partners to address these issues and to support a stable environment conducive to peace.
• British Virgin Islands and Illicit Finance:
  • The UK is pressing the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to improve access to its corporate register by 2025 to combat illicit finance, with threats of further action if commitments are not met.
• HIV and AIDS Global Efforts:
  • The UK, in collaboration with global funds and international partners, reports significant progress in reducing HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, emphasizing ongoing commitment and upcoming G7 discussions on the issue.
• US-Mauritius Treaty and Chagos Islands:
  • The UK is negotiating a treaty with Mauritius concerning the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, ensuring the continued operation of the military base on Diego Garcia and protecting it from foreign intervention, including from China.
• Women and Girls in Afghanistan:
  • The UK criticizes the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls, pushing for the reversal of their oppressive decrees and supporting international legal action to protect women’s rights.
• Diplomatic Cooperation with Europe:
  • The UK is re-engaging with European counterparts post-Brexit, fostering agreements on defence and migration, and collaborating on support for Ukraine and European security.
• Georgia and Civil Liberties:
  • Amid violent crackdowns, the UK has suspended program support to the Georgian Government and imposed sanctions, while advocating for civil society and media freedom.
• Historic Slavery and Reparations:
  • The UK Government does not support cash reparations for historic slavery but continues to work with Caribbean partners on modern challenges like security and climate change.
• Conflict in Sudan:
  • The UK is focused on de-escalating the conflict in Sudan through increased international attention and will host a conference to foster consensus on a path to peace.
• Humanitarian Situation in Gaza:
  • Additional UK funding has been announced to support healthcare, food, and shelter in Gaza, with emphasis on a lasting ceasefire and protection of human rights.
• Sri Lanka and War Crimes Accountability:
  • The UK is advocating for accountability over alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, including sanctions against those responsible and ongoing engagement with the UN.
• Support for Ukraine:
  • The UK is committed to supporting Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, emphasizing the need for continued European and US support and the importance of accountability for Russia.
• Foreign Influence Registration Scheme:
  • The UK plans to implement a scheme to counter foreign influence, addressing concerns over threats posed by countries like Russia, Iran, and China.

The parliamentary session displays a moderate level of disagreement, warranting a rating of 3 out of 5. Here’s a detailed analysis supporting this score:

1. Policy on Palestinian Displacement: There is noticeable disagreement between Neil Duncan-Jordan and the Secretary of State regarding President Trump’s proposal to move Palestinians from Gaza. Duncan-Jordan presses for a condemnation and action against forced displacement, while the Secretary of State emphasizes support for ceasefire and a two-state solution without explicitly condemning Trump’s proposal.

   • Example: Neil Duncan-Jordan asks for condemnation of Trump’s remarks and action against forced displacement. The Secretary of State, Mr David Lammy, responds by focusing on ceasefire and two-state solutions but does not directly address condemnation.

2. UNRWA Funding and Hamas: Another area of contention revolves around the funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Richard Holden expresses concern about UNRWA’s links to Hamas and questions the UK’s funding decisions, whereas the Secretary of State defends the funding and ongoing investigations.

   • Example: Richard Holden criticizes the decision to fund UNRWA given its alleged links to Hamas, while Mr Lammy cites ongoing investigations and the importance of supporting UNRWA’s reform agenda.

3. Israeli Settlements and Violence: The issue of sanctioning violent Israeli settlers and addressing settler violence elicits varied views. There is an implicit disagreement on the intensity of measures needed, with some members urging for sanctions and stronger condemnation.

   • Example: Wera Hobhouse and Anna Sabine push for sanctions against individuals advocating settler violence, while the response from Mr Hamish Falconer is more restrained, focusing on past actions and not committing to further sanctions.

4. Chagos Islands Sovereignty: There’s a clear policy disagreement on the proposed UK-Mauritius treaty regarding the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory. Gagan Mohindra and Lee Anderson express concerns about the UK’s strategic interests versus the deal’s implications, with the Minister defending the agreement.

   • Example: Gagan Mohindra accuses the Labour party of sacrificing strategic territory to satisfy allies, whereas Stephen Doughty reaffirms the deal’s importance in securing the Diego Garcia base.

5. Reparations for Historical Slavery: There’s significant disagreement on the topic of reparations for historical slavery, with Bell Ribeiro-Addy advocating for engagement and recognizing the changing global landscape, countered by the Minister’s clear stance against reparations.

   • Example: Bell Ribeiro-Addy argues for the UK to engage in discussions around reparations, contrasting with Anneliese Dodds’s firm stance that the UK will not pay reparations.

Overall, the session shows a range of views and disagreements, primarily on foreign policy issues such as the Middle East, sovereignty of territories, and historical reparations. While there is contention, much of it remains within the realm of policy debate rather than personal or more heated conflicts, hence the moderate rating of 3.