Question by Baroness Janke (Lib Dem) on 23rd May 2022 (HL422)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the presence of armed Israeli forces at St Joseph’s hospital on 13 May, (2) the actions of the Israeli forces towards attendees of the funeral of Shireen Abu Aqleh, and (3) the confiscation of Palestinian flags by Israeli forces at the funeral.
Answer from Lord Ahmad (Conservative) on 7th June 2022
During a call with the Israeli Ambassador on 19 May, Minister Milling made clear the UK’s sadness at the recent death of Shireen Abu Aqleh and the deeply disturbing scenes at her funeral in Jerusalem. She urged a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the events. The UK Ambassador to Israel has reiterated the importance of an investigation with the Israeli authorities. We call for urgent steps to de-escalate tensions and for restraint in the use of force. The safety of journalists across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work.
Question by Baroness Janke (Lib Dem) on 21 February 2022 (HL6261)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Joint Statement of the Humanitarian Country Team on the imminent eviction of the Salem Family in Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem, published on 18 February.
Answer from Lord Ahmad (Conservative) on 7 March 2022
The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. On 19 January, the former Minister for the Middle East, James Cleverly, urged the Government of Israel to stop these practices. The UK is committed to working with all parties to maintain calm and avoid provocation.
Question by The Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on 13th January 2022 (HL5391)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) reports that 3,500 new homes for Israeli settlers are planned for construction in East Jerusalem, and (2) the impact that any such housing developments in Givat Hamatos and Har Homa would have on the contiguity of Palestinian land in the Occupied Territories.
Answer by Lord Ahmad on 27th January 2022
The UK’s position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law. Minister Cleverly raised UK opposition to settlement expansion with the Government of Israel on 9 November.
Question by Baroness Sheehan (Lib Dem) on 22nd November 2021 (HL4299)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they plan to make to the government of Israel about the use of skunk water to disperse gatherings of Palestinians at the Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem.
Answer from Lord Ahmad on 6th December 2021
We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. We also urge the Israeli Government to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of peaceful, legal protestors.
Question Asked by Baroness Janke (Lib Dem) on 9 November 2021 (HL3883)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of Israel about the future status of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, following the Supreme Court of Israel ruling that Palestinians living they will have “protected tenant” status for no more than two further generations.
Answer from Lord Ahmad (Conservative) on 23rd November 2021
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of Israel about the future status of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, following the Supreme Court of Israel ruling that Palestinians living they will have “protected tenant” status for no more than two further generations.
Q From Baroness Sheehan (Lib Dem) on 3rd November 2021 (HL3698)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made, if any, to the government of Israel in relation to reports of the use by Israeli forces of (1) tear gas, and (2) sound bombs, against people trying to protect the graves at the Palestinian al-Yusufiyah cemetery in East Jerusalem on 27 June.
A from Lord Ahmad on 16th November 2021
We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
Q Asked by Baroness Tonge (Independent) 28 January 2019
Department for International Development: Jerusalem: Palestinians. HL13185
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to protect the rights of those Palestinians in East Jerusalem whose refugee status has been threatened by the withdrawal of funding to UNRWA by the government of the United States.
A Answered by: Lord Bates (Conservatives) on 11 February 2019
We are concerned about the impact on UNRWA’s activities whenever unexpected reductions occur. Last year the UK led international efforts to help ensure UNRWA’s essential services were maintained, by almost doubling our original core support of £33.5 million to £65.5 million in total, including £5 million for Gaza, and lobbying other donors to step up to ensure the funding burden is shared more evenly across the international community. Both the UK and UNRWA recognise the need for UNRWA to reform to ensure its sustainability and ability to provide essential services to refugees. UNRWA has undertaken significant cost-cutting measures to respond to budget cuts and growing need. We welcome UNRWA’s efforts to broaden its donor base and are encouraging partners to step up with more funding and more predictable disbursements. The UK has a multi-year commitment to support UNRWA and we remain firmly committed to supporting UNRWA and Palestinian refugees.
Q Asked by Baroness Tonge (Independent) on 22 January 2019
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Jerusalem: Palestinians. HL13040
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the status of Palestinians in East Jerusalem who have been denied full Israeli citizenship and cannot travel abroad.
A Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) 04 February 2019
We regularly make clear our serious concerns about the situation in East Jerusalem to the Israeli authorities and the Municipality of Jerusalem. We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement to and from East Jerusalem.