Andrea Leadsom Issues Further Statement on Israel / HAMAS War

I continue to share the strength of feeling of so many regarding the awful situation in Gaza, my thoughts are with all those whose lives have been so horribly affected. Following on from my previous statement, I have written a new update to inform constituents of the current Government stance and what is being done to end this horrific situation. 

The UK wants to bring the Gaza conflict to a sustainable end as quickly as possible.

Israel suffered an appalling terrorist attack on 7 October – the deadliest in its history. It has the right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law. Hamas must release the hostages immediately.

The fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which gets the hostages out and allows for a pause in the fighting in Gaza. The UK Government must then work with international partners to turn that pause into a sustainable, permanent ceasefire. 

The situation in Gaza is desperate. Too many Palestinian civilians have been killed and there is an urgent need to get more aid to the people of Gaza to prevent a famine. Israel has made some progress in allowing more aid into Gaza, but more needs to be done.

The UK is doing all it can to reach a long-term solution to the crisis by calling for the immediate release of all hostages; continuing to support a deal which would secure a pause in the fighting; pushing as hard as possible to get aid to Palestinian civilians; working with partners to deescalate the situation in the region; and, building momentum towards a lasting peace.

Building momentum towards a lasting peace will require the release of all hostages; removing Hamas’s capacity to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package; and, a political horizon for the Palestinians, providing a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

I understand that the Prime Minister has spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu several times, and that the Foreign Secretary visited Israel with German Foreign Minister Baerbock on 17 April, met G7 partners in Italy immediately afterwards, and has spoken with leaders and counterparts in the OPTs, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, the UAE and Iran in recent weeks.

Further, I share the UK Government’s deep concern about the prospect of a military offensive in Rafah. Over half of Gaza’s population, including 600,000 children, are sheltering in the area, and the Rafah crossing is vital to ensure aid can reach the people who so desperately need it.

The UK is clear that it would not support a major operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan for how to protect people and save lives. The UK Government has not seen that plan, so, in these circumstances, would not support a major operation in Rafah.

I am aware that many of my constituents continue to be concerned about arms exports to Israel, the UK Government takes its export control responsibilities extremely seriously and operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, based on the most up-to-date information and analysis available.

Licence decisions take account of prevailing circumstances at the time of application and include human rights and international humanitarian law considerations. The Export Control Joint Unit will not issue an export licence to any destination where to do so would be inconsistent with the Criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.

The Government is monitoring the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories very closely, and it will take any action that the Government considers appropriate as the situation develops. I understand that the Foreign Secretary has reviewed the most recent advice about the situation in Gaza and Israel, and his latest assessment leaves the Government's position on export licences unchanged. 

The Export Control Joint Unit has in place an established process for responding, at pace, to changing conditions in a country where the UK has previously granted export licences and where those licences remain in place. All extant licences are kept under careful review.

Moreover, I understand there is concern about the UNRWA funding pause. Allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the terrorist attacks of 7 October on Israel are appalling; the UK Government has taken decisive action to pause funding to the organisation. The Prime Minister has emphasised that the UK will reconsider its position once it has read Catherine Colonna's final report, UNRWA’s response and the ongoing UN Office for Internal Oversight Services investigation.  

This has no impact on the UK's humanitarian response: the UK remains wholly committed to getting aid to those in Gaza who desperately need it. The Government continues with aid delivery and funding multiple implementing partners, including other UN agencies and international and UK NGOs. The Foreign Secretary recently announced another £10 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), bringing UK support to more than £100 million in 2023/24. 

Israel has now taken significant steps to increase aid getting to Gaza, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Port of Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint; increasing the number of aid trucks to at least 500 a day; increasing capacity through the Jordan land corridor to 100 trucks a day; extending the opening hours of the Kerem Shalom crossing; approving more types of aid, including fuel to enable more bakeries to open and hospitals to function; and approving activation of the Nachal Oz water pipeline to northern Gaza once repairs are completed. 

I welcome these steps, which the UK has been urging Israel to take for a long time. The number of aid trucks getting into Gaza has increased and some World Food Programme (WFP) food aid has moved from Ashdod Port into Gaza, but further action is needed; aid will not make a difference unless safely and properly distributed. Guaranteed deconfliction for aid convoys and other humanitarian work is essential. 

Moreover, the UK is providing £3 million towards equipment to support UN and aid agencies to get more into Gaza, including trucks, forklifts, generators and lighting towers. Furthermore, on 6 April, the UK announced £9.7 million to set up a maritime aid corridor to Gaza. Through UK Aid funding to UK-Med, a field hospital is also operational in Gaza and has already treated thousands of patients. 

Lastly, I am aware of a campaign asking for the introduction of a visa scheme for Palestinians, I understand that there are currently no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements or a bespoke family reunion scheme, for people arriving from the region who do not hold permission to come to the UK.

However, immediate family members of British citizens, and those settled in the UK, who wish to come to the UK can apply under one of the existing family visa routes. The Government has said that individuals who meet these criteria should apply for a visa to enable them to enter the UK in the normal way and that fee waivers are available to those who cannot afford the application fee. Exceptional circumstances may be taken into account where certain requirements are not met.

I am pleased that UK Visas and Immigration is working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to support family members of British nationals evacuated from Gaza who require a visa, signposting the necessary steps and expediting appointments at the Visa Application Centre (VAC). VACs in the region such as Egypt, Jordan and Turkey are open and offering a full service.

I will continue to follow developments closely and consider the views of all of my constituents carefully.