🕊️ Palestinian Rights: Government Support

• The session began with Sir Edward Leigh moving the motion on Government support for Palestinian rights, sharing his experiences from a recent trip to Israel and the West Bank organized by Yachad, a moderate Jewish group promoting peace.

• Leigh condemned the actions of Hamas but emphasized his support for both Israeli and Palestinian rights, highlighting stories of peace advocates he met during his visit.

• He described the ongoing settler violence in the West Bank, including incidents of intimidation and destruction of property, and stressed the need for a two-state solution as the only viable path forward.

• Paul Waugh shared observations from his visit, noting the impact of the conflict on both Gaza and the West Bank, where settler violence is suffocating the prospects for a Palestinian state.

• Pippa Heylings discussed the plight of Palestinian families and children, recounting specific instances of settler violence and the need for protective presence to ensure their safety.

• Richard Burgon called for clear recognition of Palestinian rights and criticized the actions of the Israeli government as violations of international law, advocating for sanctions and recognition of a Palestinian state.

• Jeremy Corbyn supported the call for an independent inquiry into the UK’s role in the conflict and emphasized the importance of international law and the support of global peace efforts.

• Uma Kumaran detailed her recent trip to the region and the importance of UK diplomatic efforts, calling out settler violence and urging better humanitarian access to Gaza.

• Shockat Adam highlighted the human cost of the conflict, referencing the deaths of children and the dehumanizing rhetoric from some Israeli officials.

• Tracy Gilbert recounted witnessing settler violence firsthand and stressed the illegality of settlements under international law, urging reconsideration of UK trade with settlements.

• Jim Shannon recognized Israel’s right to defend itself but also acknowledged the suffering of Palestinian civilians, calling for a compassionate solution and an end to terrorism.

• Jas Athwal emphasized the urgency of advancing the ceasefire and working toward a two-state solution to prevent further Palestinian suffering.

• Martin Vickers criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, suggesting they create a “Hamas of the future,” and called for a balanced approach supporting Israel’s right to exist while condemning its actions.

• Sam Rushworth discussed the need to recognize a Palestinian state and adhere to international legal rulings, suggesting several policy actions to support this.

• Iqbal Mohamed asserted that UK policy has historically denied basic Palestinian rights, calling for an end to this trend.

• Nadia Whittome questioned the UK’s different approaches to war crimes committed by Russia and Israel, urging recognition of Palestine and support for rebuilding Gaza.

• Will Forster shared experiences from his visit, calling for sustained humanitarian aid and recognition of Palestine, while condemning policies that hinder peace.

• Harpreet Uppal raised concerns about the Palestinian healthcare system’s dire state due to withheld tax revenues and urged reconsideration of aid policies.

• Monica Harding reiterated the Liberal Democrats’ support for a two-state solution, calling for immediate action to uphold the ceasefire, release hostages, and recognize Palestine.

• Wendy Morton advocated for the release of hostages and addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, questioning the government’s diplomatic efforts and future plans for Palestinian governance.

• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister Catherine West outlined the government’s efforts to support the ceasefire, increase aid to Gaza, and work towards Palestinian-led reconstruction and governance.

• The session concluded with Sir Edward Leigh affirming the unity of all parties in condemning Hamas and supporting Palestinian rights, reinforcing the call for a two-state solution.

The session displayed a high level of disagreement, primarily centered on the approach and actions of the UK Government regarding Palestinian rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several key points highlight the disagreements:

1. Condemnation of Actions: While there was a unanimous condemnation of Hamas in the session, there was significant disagreement on how to address and respond to Israeli actions, particularly regarding settler violence and the blockade of Gaza. For example, multiple members called for sanctions against Israeli settlements and settlers, while others focused on maintaining a balance in condemning both sides’ actions.

2. Recognition of Palestinian State: There was a clear disagreement on whether the UK should recognize the state of Palestine. While some members, such as Nadia Whittome and Sam Rushworth, strongly advocated for immediate recognition, others were more cautious or silent on the issue, reflecting a significant divide on how to approach Palestinian statehood.

3. Approach to Peace and Ceasefire: Members differed on the approach to the ceasefire and peace process. While some advocated for a more aggressive UK role in pushing for the next phase of the ceasefire and supporting Palestinian governance, others focused on maintaining restraint and working diplomatically with regional partners.

4. UK’s Role and Actions: There was debate over the UK’s specific actions and policies, such as arms sales to Israel, funding for Palestinian aid, and the impact of UK overseas aid budget cuts. Members like Monica Harding and Tracy Gilbert criticized the UK’s current stance and called for changes, suggesting a lack of consensus on the UK’s role and responsibility.

5. Humanitarian Concerns: While all members expressed concern for the humanitarian situation, there was disagreement on the solutions and urgency of response. Calls for increased aid and criticism of Israel’s actions were met with varying degrees of support and criticism regarding the feasibility and approach.

Examples of these disagreements include:

• Richard Burgon called for widespread sanctions against Israel, including an arms ban, contrasting with Jim Shannon’s strong support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, without directly addressing Palestinian rights enforcement.
• Jeremy Corbyn advocated for a Chilcot-style inquiry into UK policies, while Catherine West emphasized the UK’s existing efforts and contributions to Palestinian aid without endorsing such an inquiry.
• Shockat Adam demanded direct action against Israeli war crimes and use of the term ‘genocide,’ which was not echoed by other speakers who focused more on peaceful solutions and diplomatic efforts.

The overall tone of the session was critical and urged greater action, highlighting significant disagreement on the best path forward and the role of the UK in supporting Palestinian rights. Despite the common condemnation of Hamas, the session’s disagreement on specific actions and policies towards Israel and Palestine justifies a high disagreement rating.