British Government’s Current Position: Prioritising peace and cooperation in the Middle East in the midst of COVID-19

Question by Baroness Janke (Lib Dem) on 1st February 2022 (HL5843)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they intend to offer, if any, to the COVID-19 vaccination programme for Palestinians in Gaza, given reports of shortages of medical equipment.

Answer from Lord Ahmed (Conservative) on 14th February 2022

Tackling COVID-19 remains a priority for the Government. The UK is one of the largest donors to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), which supports access to COVID-19 vaccines for up to 92 low- and middle-income countries. Our £548 million commitment will support the COVAX AMC to deliver up to 1.8 billion doses to these countries by mid-2022. The Occupied Palestinian Territories was one of the first to receive vaccines from this scheme and continues to receive further consignments of COVAX vaccines, most recently on 29 December 2021.

Question by Dame Diana Johnson (Labour) on 1st February 2021 (UIN 146814)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department will take to ensure that the citizens of Palestine receive the covid-19 vaccine.

Answer from James Cleverly (Conservative) on 4th February 2021

The UK remains committed to ensuring equitable access to effective vaccines as demonstrated by our £548 million contribution to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) – the international initiative to support global equitable access to vaccines. Through match funding, the commitment was leveraged to encourage other donors to commit $1 billion in 2020. We are pleased to note that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) will be among the first to benefit from the COVAX scheme with delivery of a first batch anticipated in mid-February.

We remain in regular, close contact with the Palestinian Authority to discuss their plans for access to safe COVID-19 vaccines in the OPTs, including rollout of the doses provided through the COVAX scheme.

Question by Tommy Shephard (SNP) on 2nd February 2021 (UIN 147916)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the financial capacity of the Palestinian Ministry of Health to purchase sufficient covid-19 vaccines for its population.

Answer from James Cleverly (Conservative) on 8th February 2021

We remain in regular, close contact with the Palestinian Authority to discuss their plans for access to safe COVID-19 vaccines in the OPTs including on their ability to finance the purchase of vaccines.

The UK is committed to rapid, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines as demonstrated by our commitment of up to £548 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) – the international initiative to support global equitable access to vaccines. Our commitment to the COVAX AMC will support access to COVID-19 vaccines for up to 92 developing countries, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by contributing to the supply of 1 billion doses in 2021. We are pleased to note that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) will be among the first to benefit from the COVAX scheme with delivery of a first batch anticipated in mid-February.

Question by Baroness Tonge (Independent) on 11th January 2021 (HL12016)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by Amnesty International on 6 January that “the Israeli government must stop ignoring its international obligations as an occupying power and immediately act to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are equally and fairly provided to Palestinians living under its occupation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip”; and what steps they are taking in response to that statement.

Answer from Lord Ahmed (Conservative) on 25th January 2021

We recognise that under International Humanitarian Law, Israel, as the occupying power, has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene, to the fullest extent of the means available to it, including in relation to combating the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics, in the OPTs. We also recognise the Palestinian Authority’s responsibilities for vaccinations under the Oslo Accords (under Article 17). We welcome the steps that the parties have taken so far to coordinate responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and encourage further dialogue in this regard. The UK regularly engages with both the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority and will continue to raise timely and appropriate access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Question by Baroness Tonge (Independent) on 19th October 2020 HL9333)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs COVID-19 Emergency Situation Report 17 (29 August–8 September 2020), published on 8 September, and the finding that there has been a 60 per cent increase in the demolition of Palestinian buildings demolished by the government of Israel since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer from Lord Ahmad (Conservative) on 29th October 2020

We are aware of the findings of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs COVID-19 Emergency Situation Report 17 regarding demolitions of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities. The UK is seriously concerned by the continued demolitions of Palestinian property, particularly at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, is harmful to the peace process and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. Under IHL, an occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene in the occupied territory to the fullest extent of the means available to it and with the cooperation of the local authorities. We call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical.

Question by Paul Blomfield (Labour) on 29th September 2020 (UIN 96862)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle Israel’s demolition of structures in the West Bank and resulting displacement of Palestinians during the covid-19 pandemic.

Answer from James Cleverly (Conservative) on 7th October 2020

The UK is seriously concerned by the continued demolitions of Palestinian structures by Israeli authorities, particularly at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, is harmful to the peace process and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. Under IHL, an occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene in the occupied territory to the fullest extent of the means available to it and with the cooperation of the local authorities. We call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical.

Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Ministers and senior officials, and urged them to cease the counter-productive policy of demolitions, and provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. The British Government also supports Palestinians facing demolition or eviction in Area C of the West Bank through our legal aid programme. This helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system.

Question by Paul blomfield (Labour) on 29 September 2020 (UIN 96863)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies in the context of the covid-19 pandemic of reports of Israel’s demolition of water, sanitation and hygiene structures used by Palestinians in the West Bank.

Answer from James Cleverly (Conservative) on 7th October 2020

The UK is seriously concerned by the continued demolitions of Palestinian structures by Israeli authorities, particularly at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, is harmful to the peace process and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. Under IHL, an occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene in the occupied territory to the fullest extent of the means available to it and with the cooperation of the local authorities. We call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical.

Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Ministers and senior officials, and urged them to cease the counter-productive policy of demolitions, and provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. The British Government also supports Palestinians facing demolition or eviction in Area C of the West Bank through our legal aid programme. This helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system.

Question from Baroness Tonge (Independent) in 3rd September 2020 (HL7829)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to protect Palestinian medical facilities in East Jerusalem from violent incursions by the Israel Defence Forces. (HL7829)

Answer by Lord Ahmad (Conservative) on 16th Sepember 2020

The UK is concerned by any reports of incursions into, or demolitions of, Palestinian medical facilities by Israeli authorities. In all but the most exceptional circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Such actions also weaken the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. Under IHL, an occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene in the occupied territory to the fullest extent of the means available to it. We call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical.

Question: by Alex Cunningham (Labour) on 9th June 2020 (57197)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of changes in the level of (a) attacks by settlers and (b) demolitions of Palestinian structures in the occupied Palestinian territory since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.

Answer: James Cleverly (Conservative) on 17th May 2020

As we made clear at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 May, the UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities, and repeated incidents of settler violence at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. We condemn any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We welcome the efforts of Israeli authorities to address settler violence, and urge them to thoroughly investigate every instance to bring those responsible to justice and end the culture of impunity. During this fragile period, we call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical. We have also stressed the importance of the Israel security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.

Statements and Letters

Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe, acting UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Middle East Peace Process. Click here to read more. 

Letter from Claudia Beamish MSP to Dominic Raab MP

This is a letter from Claudia Beamish MSP. Member of the Scottish Parliament for South Scotland, to the Rt Hon Dominic Raab, 
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State.

Letter from Lisa Nandy MP to Dominic Raab MP

This is a letter from Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to the Rt Hon Dominic Raab, 
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State.

Question: by Alex Cunningham (Labour) on 9th June 2020 (57197)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of changes in the level of (a) attacks by settlers and (b) demolitions of Palestinian structures in the occupied Palestinian territory since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.

Answer: James Cleverly (Conservative) on 17th May 2020

As we made clear at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 May, the UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities, and repeated incidents of settler violence at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. We condemn any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We welcome the efforts of Israeli authorities to address settler violence, and urge them to thoroughly investigate every instance to bring those responsible to justice and end the culture of impunity. During this fragile period, we call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical. We have also stressed the importance of the Israel security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.

Statements and Letters

Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe, acting UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Middle East Peace Process. Click here to read more. 

Letter from Claudia Beamish MSP to Dominic Raab MP

This is a letter from Claudia Beamish MSP. Member of the Scottish Parliament for South Scotland, to the Rt Hon Dominic Raab, 
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State.

Letter from Lisa Nandy MP to Dominic Raab MP

This is a letter from Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to the Rt Hon Dominic Raab, 
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State.