Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
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Tuesday Volume 593 3 March 2015 No. 117 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 3 March 2015 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2015 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 789 3 MARCH 2015 790 immediately after the Israeli elections are complete and House of Commons a new Government are formed, to address these grave challenges. Tuesday 3 March 2015 Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab): There is no legalistic or bureaucratic route to Palestinian statehood and it The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock cannot be imposed from outside. We will see a viable Palestinian state—the two-state solution that we all PRAYERS want—only as a result of proper negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which Britain should be doing everything it can to foster. We need to see the [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] demilitarisation of Gaza, Iran no longer sending rockets to Hezbollah and Hamas, and Britain promoting organisations such as Project Cherish, the Parents Circle- Families Forum and Middle East Education Through Oral Answers to Questions Technology to bring together people on both sides who want peace. Mr Ellwood: I am not sure that was a question, but I FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE certainly agree with the spirit of the hon. Gentleman’s comments. We want the Palestinian Authority to assert The Secretary of State was asked— itself in Gaza, not just have a technocratic Government. We want the Palestinians to end the political stalemate Palestine with Hamas, as he implies, but we also want Israel to allow the free movement of people, particularly the 1. Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): What politicians, into Gaza, and to increase trade between criteria the Government will use to determine the right Gaza and the west bank. time for the UK to recognise Palestine as a state. [907827] Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): The Minister is right—we have debated the subject a number of times. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign The House also voted by an overwhelming margin in and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Tobias Ellwood): We favour of recognising a Palestinian state. Under what want to see the establishment of a sovereign and circumstances does he consider that the timing of such independent Palestinian state, living in peace and security an announcement should be at odds with the sovereign alongside Israel. We have been clear that the UK will will of the House? recognise a Palestinian state bilaterally at a time when we judge it best to help bring about peace. Mr Ellwood: As I said in my initial reply, this is not just a tick-box exercise. It is not something that we Ms Ritchie: I thank the Minister for his answer, but debate in Parliament and then move on to the next does he not see that constantly saying that the UK subject. There are real consequences of when we choose recognition of the state of Palestine should be conditional to recognise the Palestinian state. We want to be part of on negotiations between Israel and Palestine in effect that process and to advance it. When we can leverage gives Mr Netanyahu or his successor a veto over the positive change, we will do so. UK’s sovereign decision to recognise Palestine, especially as that Prime Minister is making a very divisive speech Libya in Washington today? How can this be right? Mr Ellwood: Although I understand the hon. Lady’s 2. Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): What recent passion—we have debated this matter in the House on a discussions he has had with his counterparts in North number of occasions—I hope she appreciates that such Africa on the political and security situation in Libya. recognition is not simply a tick-box exercise but a [907828] strategic tool, which will have consequences when implemented, and which is therefore best used at a time The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth when it will advance the process and leverage positive Affairs (Mr Philip Hammond): The political and security change. situation in Libya remains a concern. We call on all parties to agree to a ceasefire, to engage with the UN Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): The previous Foreign dialogue process to find a lasting solution, and to unite Secretary said that we were in the last chance saloon for to defeat the Islamist extremism which is establishing a the two-state solution. If the Government wait long foothold in that country. I speak regularly to my Egyptian enough, there will be no opportunity for a two-state counterpart. I visited Algeria on 19 and 20 February for solution and the question will then be completely irrelevant. discussions which were dominated by the situation in Libya. Mr Ellwood: I am sad to say that I agree with my hon. Friend, as many of the ingredients that we witnessed in Jeremy Lefroy: I welcome the Egyptian Government’s the build-up to last summer’s conflict are beginning to response to the terrible murder of 21 Egyptian Coptic re-emerge. If we are to avoid another significant and Christians in Libya and especially the bridge building punishing conflict, all parties must come together shown by President Sisi and religious leaders to the 791 Oral Answers3 MARCH 2015 Oral Answers 792 Coptic community. What more can the UK do to those negotiations. What is the view of Her Majesty’s support Egypt in its vital role in working for stability in Government? Do they support the Tobruk-based Libya? Government? Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend is right that Egypt Mr Hammond: Our view is that both the Tobruk will play a vital role in the solution in Libya, as all regime and the Misratans, and indeed the regime in European countries, many of which are very concerned Tripoli, must attend the talks with the UN Secretary- about the situation there, and the United States recognise. General’s special representative on a no-preconditions Similarly, there are still significant challenges in the basis and on the terms he proposes in order to discuss human rights situation in Egypt. We were very pleased how they can form a Government of national unity of with the clear statement that President Sisi made on the some kind so that we can begin to rebuild Libya, which rights of religious minorities in Egypt. However, as with could be a prosperous and successful country, and one many other elements of the Egyptian constitution, we whose stability is vital to our own interests. now need to see that being delivered on the ground. Middle East Peace Process Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): Following engagement with ourselves, the Prime Minister appointed the National Security Adviser to engage with the Libyan 3. Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con): What authorities on reconciliation and finding ways forward recent assessment he has made of progress with the for compensation for victims of IRA terrorism that was middle east peace process. [907829] sponsored by the Gaddafi regime. Will the Foreign Secretary update the House on what progress the National Mr Hammond: I have to be candid with my hon. Security Adviser has made in that work? Friend: progress has stalled pending the Israeli general election on 17 March. The British Government strongly Mr Hammond: I regret to have to tell the right hon. supported US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to Gentleman that the reality on the ground in Libya is reach a final status agreement and were disappointed that there is no authority to engage with. I am afraid that the parties did not make more progress in 2014. I that at the moment I can report no progress on those have discussed many times with Secretary Kerry, most measures. The urgent need now is to see a Government recently when we met in London on 21 February, what of national unity created and for the Libyan people to the next steps will be. We will press the US to revive the deal collectively with the threat to their society that is initiative and all the parties to resume serious negotiations posed by the establishment of ISIL cells. Once we have as soon as possible after the Israeli elections, and I urge such an authority in place, we will of course re-engage them to be ready then to step up and show the bold with that agenda. political leadership that will be necessary to achieve peace. Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Kensington) (Ind): As the United Kingdom was one of the leading countries that helped Sir David Amess: I am glad to hear that my right hon. the Libyan people overthrow Colonel Gaddafi, do we Friend will join me in asking for renewed international not have both a political obligation and a political pressure on Hamas to disarm and renounce violence. interest to help all the democratic forces in Libya trying Does he agree that unless that happens it is difficult to to create a new, decent country? While I recognise that envisage a unified and prosperous Palestinian state existing the Government do indeed have a priority in that respect, alongside Israel? I urge my right hon. Friend to ensure that the British Government do all within their power—perhaps even Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend is right that for an more than they are doing at the moment—over the enduring solution Hamas must disarm and be prepared crucial weeks and months that will determine whether to accept Israel’s right to live in peace, but Israel must Libya does indeed become a moderate, secular force or also stop making illegal settlements in the Occupied continues to be a hotbed of anarchy and potential Palestinian Territories.