Following last week's hustings on War, Peace and the Middle East readers may be interested in their Brent candidates views on the Israel-Palestine situation.
This is the up to date information received so far from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's questionnaire to candidates. It is long so I have split the page.
BRENT CENTRAL
Shahrar Ali of the Green Party has responded.
They agree the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
They agree that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
They agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine.
They agree that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted immediately.
They agree that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements on Palestinian land and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain.
They agree that the EU Israel Association should be suspended until Israel meets its human rights obligations.
They agree that the UK Government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law. The Green Party believes that the Arab-Israeli conflict persists owingto the failure to find a fair and humane solution to the problems of thePalestinian people; and at the same time offer appropriate guarantees ofsecurity for Israel.
We condemned Israel's ground invasion and bombardment of Gaza in 2014,and continue to call on the UN, the EU and the US to ensure that Israel complies with international law.
We also call on Israel to evacuate illegal settlements within the occupied territories of Palestine. In addition, we call on the government of Israel to dismantle the 'West Bank Barrier' which divides
Palestinian territories, depriving Palestinians of land, water, and employment.
The Green Party supports active participation in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign which aims to put pressure on the government of Israel to end the Occupation and to give equal rights to Palestinians.
We believe that in the present situation neither the UK government nor UK companies should be selling arms to Israel.
The Green Party is committed to principles of equality, human rights and international law. There can be no lasting peace without justice.'
RE YOUR STATEMENTS
1. I urge the UK Government to uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.?Yes/no YES ?
2. I consider the construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal andunjustifiable.?Yes/no YES ?? In achieving these principles, what are your views on the following steps that a future UK Government could take:?
3. Do you agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine??Yes/no/don't know YES
4. Do you agree that the blockade on Gaza should be lifted immediately??Yes/no/don't know YES ?
5. Do you agree that we should stop trade with Israel's settlements on Palestinian land, and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain??Yes/no/don't know YES
6. Do you agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should besuspended until Israel meets its human rights obligations??Yes/no/don't know YES ?
7. Do you agree that the government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law??Yes/no/don't know YES
Ibrahim Taguri who is an Indepdendent candidate has responded. (Please note Inrahim Taguri has now stepped down as a candidate)
They agree the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
They agree that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
They agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine.
They agree that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted immediately.
They agree that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements on Palestinian land and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain.
They do not answer directly as to whether they support the suspension of the EU Israel Association Agreement
They agree that the UK Government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law. Thank you for writing to me regarding the ongoing situation in Israel and Palestine.
Like you I am distressed and concerned over the direction of this conflict during this past year, not least because of the aftershocks felt around the world, including here in Britain, where tension is stoked between communities living side by side.
You have raised some important questions and I hope you will forgive the length of my response. I feel it is important that you receive a thorough, clear and detailed set of answers.
I have entered politics in order to make a difference to my community and country. I have also entered it with an open heart and an open mind. As a British born Libyan with Palestinian heritage, I feel the pain acutely of what is going on. I have lost family members due to the actions of previous Israeli governments as well as more recently at the hands of ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
I believe that a constructive and lasting peace will only be achieved through a two-state solution, requiring both Israel and Palestine to make significant compromises to ensure that the rights of both are protected and respected.
Lauren Keith of the Liberal Democrats
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John Boyle of TUSC
Stephen Priestley of UKIP
This is the up to date information received so far from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's questionnaire to candidates. It is long so I have split the page.
BRENT CENTRAL
Shahrar Ali of the Green Party has responded.
We condemned Israel's ground invasion and bombardment of Gaza in 2014,and continue to call on the UN, the EU and the US to ensure that Israel complies with international law.
We also call on Israel to evacuate illegal settlements within the occupied territories of Palestine. In addition, we call on the government of Israel to dismantle the 'West Bank Barrier' which divides
Palestinian territories, depriving Palestinians of land, water, and employment.
The Green Party supports active participation in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign which aims to put pressure on the government of Israel to end the Occupation and to give equal rights to Palestinians.
We believe that in the present situation neither the UK government nor UK companies should be selling arms to Israel.
The Green Party is committed to principles of equality, human rights and international law. There can be no lasting peace without justice.'
RE YOUR STATEMENTS
1. I urge the UK Government to uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.?Yes/no YES ?
2. I consider the construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal andunjustifiable.?Yes/no YES ?? In achieving these principles, what are your views on the following steps that a future UK Government could take:?
3. Do you agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine??Yes/no/don't know YES
4. Do you agree that the blockade on Gaza should be lifted immediately??Yes/no/don't know YES ?
5. Do you agree that we should stop trade with Israel's settlements on Palestinian land, and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain??Yes/no/don't know YES
6. Do you agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should besuspended until Israel meets its human rights obligations??Yes/no/don't know YES ?
7. Do you agree that the government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law??Yes/no/don't know YES
Ibrahim Taguri who is an Indepdendent candidate has responded. (Please note Inrahim Taguri has now stepped down as a candidate)
- Yes – Human rights and international law are the core of Liberal Democrat foreign policy. However, one of my great frustrations is watching all sides shift the fault lines of the argument to suit themselves at different moments. The first of these points relates to how Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are treated. As democratically elected representatives, they should be treated as such consistently. That means not only the recognition of a Palestinian state, but also holding them accountable to the same rules of international law as everyone else, including the Israeli government. I believe that Hamas in turn must change its charter in order to recognise the right of Israel to exist.
- Yes – Israel will have to make painful territorial concessions in return for peace, including dismantling many settlements which have been built on occupied territories. There is precedence for this, such as Israel’s return of the whole of Sinai to Egypt in 1979 and complete withdrawal from Gaza (including the destruction of all of its settlements) in 2005. I am, however, concerned about the unwillingness of the Netenyahu administration to be prepared to make such concessions again in return for a genuine and lasting peace. Equally, Hamas must immediately recognise the legitimacy of the Israeli state and the right of its citizens to live in safety and without fear.
- Yes – Please see here for my full views on this issue. We should be supporting the creation of conditions to make a Palestinian state viable over a certain time frame, once certain basic obligations are met. And Israel should also be held to account to help ensure the state is viable.
- Yes – I believe that humanitarian concerns outweigh any fears of a rearmed Hamas renewing the conflict. Hamas must be urged to behave as a democratically elected Party and commit to the points I have already highlighted. There must be an end to blockades and the fullest possible economic development of Gaza. This applies as much to blockade at the Egyptian side of the tunnels. I would call for the implementation of an inspection regime that could ensure the flow of goods into Gaza for humanitarian purposes while ensuring nothing is diverted towards Hamas's military programme
- Yes & No – Trade with illegal settlements should cease, as this undermines the rule of international law in pursuing a lasting peace process. However, I am not in favour of either cultural or economic boycotts generally.
- He adds: This is really a question about the ethical nature of the UK arms trade. We should not trade arms with governments around the world that do not represent British values of equality, freedom and tolerance, such as Saudi Arabia and indeed the US drone programme.
Like you I am distressed and concerned over the direction of this conflict during this past year, not least because of the aftershocks felt around the world, including here in Britain, where tension is stoked between communities living side by side.
You have raised some important questions and I hope you will forgive the length of my response. I feel it is important that you receive a thorough, clear and detailed set of answers.
I have entered politics in order to make a difference to my community and country. I have also entered it with an open heart and an open mind. As a British born Libyan with Palestinian heritage, I feel the pain acutely of what is going on. I have lost family members due to the actions of previous Israeli governments as well as more recently at the hands of ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
I believe that a constructive and lasting peace will only be achieved through a two-state solution, requiring both Israel and Palestine to make significant compromises to ensure that the rights of both are protected and respected.
Dawn Butler of the Labour Party has responded.
· They agree the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
· They agree that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
· They agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine.
· 'We are clear that Palestinian recognition at the UN would be such a step.'
· They agree that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted immediately.
· They agree that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements on Palestinian land and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain.
· They agree that the EU Israel Association should be suspended until Israel meets its human rights obligations.
· They agree that the UK Government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law.
Thank you for your email, my response to all of your questions are yes.
I share your concern at the lack of progr ess on the Middle East Peace Process and the
issue of Palestinian human rights.
I fully support two states living side by side in peace, and recognised by all of their
neighbours. After decades of diplomatic failure, there are those on all sides that today
question whether a two-state solution is any longer possible.
Despite John Kerry’s exhaustive efforts in 2013, the latest round of negotiations
collapsed in April last year. However the appalling loss of life that occurred in the
conflict in Gaza last summer – with 2,131 Palestinians killed, the vast majority of them
civilians, and seven Israeli civilians killed by rocket attacks from Gaza-makes the task of
achieving a lasting and just peace all the more urgent.
Labour is clear that only a negotiated peace deal will bring the justice and security both
sides deserve. That is why the international community must now take concrete steps to
strengthen moderate Palestinian opinion. We are clear that Palestinian recognition at
the UN would be such a step.
Palestinian statehood is not a gift to be given but a right to be recognised and that is
why, in both 2011 and in 2012, Labour urged the UK Government to support the
Palestinian’s bid for recognition at the UN. Not as a means of bypassing the need for
talks, but as a bridge for restarting them. Today, the immediate priority for the
international community must be to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the thousands of Palestinians who are in desperate need, and to help the rebuilding of basic infrastructure in Gaza.
All sides must avoid taking action that would make peace harder to achieve, that means an end to blockade and occupation, and the end of rocket and terror attacks. Labour recognises that the settlements and their continued expansion remain key obstacles to resolving the conflict, as Ed Miliband has said, they are both illegal and immoral. Labour
has taken and will maintain domestic action to introduce labelling transparency, and will seek a Europe-wide approach to settlement products.
And finally, I think that an important part of the long term solution is to empower the new generation to strive for peace and unity. There are some great organisations who are aspiring to do that like One Voice.
I share your concern at the lack of progr ess on the Middle East Peace Process and the
issue of Palestinian human rights.
I fully support two states living side by side in peace, and recognised by all of their
neighbours. After decades of diplomatic failure, there are those on all sides that today
question whether a two-state solution is any longer possible.
Despite John Kerry’s exhaustive efforts in 2013, the latest round of negotiations
collapsed in April last year. However the appalling loss of life that occurred in the
conflict in Gaza last summer – with 2,131 Palestinians killed, the vast majority of them
civilians, and seven Israeli civilians killed by rocket attacks from Gaza-makes the task of
achieving a lasting and just peace all the more urgent.
Labour is clear that only a negotiated peace deal will bring the justice and security both
sides deserve. That is why the international community must now take concrete steps to
strengthen moderate Palestinian opinion. We are clear that Palestinian recognition at
the UN would be such a step.
Palestinian statehood is not a gift to be given but a right to be recognised and that is
why, in both 2011 and in 2012, Labour urged the UK Government to support the
Palestinian’s bid for recognition at the UN. Not as a means of bypassing the need for
talks, but as a bridge for restarting them. Today, the immediate priority for the
international community must be to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the thousands of Palestinians who are in desperate need, and to help the rebuilding of basic infrastructure in Gaza.
All sides must avoid taking action that would make peace harder to achieve, that means an end to blockade and occupation, and the end of rocket and terror attacks. Labour recognises that the settlements and their continued expansion remain key obstacles to resolving the conflict, as Ed Miliband has said, they are both illegal and immoral. Labour
has taken and will maintain domestic action to introduce labelling transparency, and will seek a Europe-wide approach to settlement products.
And finally, I think that an important part of the long term solution is to empower the new generation to strive for peace and unity. There are some great organisations who are aspiring to do that like One Voice.
Lauren Keith of the Liberal Democrats
I urge the UK Government to uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
I agree. I was disturbed by our Government’s weak response to the Israel-Gaza conflict last summer, but pleased that senior Lib Dems such as Nick Clegg and Paddy Ashdown raised their concerns that the Prime Minister wasn’t taking forthright action. As a recognised state Israel should not be allowed to think it is above the international law that other countries adhere to. If Ireland started rocketing Wales and the UK Government responded with a full scale attack that killed civilians, there would be international outrage and condemnation. Not a few words calling for peace, limited action and tacit support from US Congress. There would be consequences.
Similarly, the UK Government needs to make it clear to Netanyahu that if international and human rights law is breached then there will be actions taken on our part. Obvious one being a ban on arms exports. There needs to be a marker down as to what is and what is not acceptable. Certainly Israel needs to take action against rocket attacks but this should be proportionate and isolated. It is also highly counter-productive in the long term for large scale military attacks to be used as it perpetuates the cycle of violence.
I consider the construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal and unjustifiable.
Yes. These settlements are illegal and they make finding a two-state peace settlement even harder. At the Liberal Democrat conference last October we passed a motion which called for the UK to “apply continued pressure on the Israeli Government to cease its illegal acquisition of land in the West Bank.”
In achieving these principles, what are your views on the following steps that a future UK Government could take:
Do you agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine?
Like most Liberal Democrats, I believe the UK Government should encourage the EU to recognise the State of Palestine. When MPs voted on recognising Palestine I was delighted to see Liberal Democrat MPs overwhelmingly supported it. The UK Government has said it will continue to support a negotiated two-state solution and will work with other countries to secure one. I was pleased that they said they look forward to recognising a democratic, sovereign and viable Palestinian state when it will help the peace process most. I hope this can be achieved soon.
Do you agree that the blockade on Gaza should be lifted immediately?
Yes. The UK Ambassador in Israel has been raising this with senior Israeli Government officials since the ceasefire in Gaza last summer. We (the lib dems) have been calling for the blockade on Gaza to be lifted and for trade routes to be reopened. The UK has also been working with the EU and UN to put pressure on Israel for this to happen, while recognising their legitimate security concerns. The blockade is affecting the lives and rights of civilians and jeopardising the economic future of the area.
Do you agree that we should stop trade with Israel's settlements on Palestinian land, and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain?
I think our Government has been right to support the voluntary guidelines so that customers can identify whether goods come from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and make a decision for themselves if they want to buy them. However, given that Netanyahu has made it clear that he is wanting to carry on with his hard line towards Palestine, I think that ending trade may be a good way of sending a strong signal and putting down the markers of acceptability.
Do you agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should be suspended until Israel meets its human rights obligations?
No. The EU-Israel Association Agreement allows the EU to regularly raise human rights concerns with Israel and work to address these. However, I think the EU should review its Association Agreement to consider whether Israel continues to uphold peace and human rights. The Association should demonstrate more teeth in taking action through trade and investment links to deter military actions being taken by Israel.
Do you agree that the government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law?
The UK reviewed the issue of our arms exports to Israel last year, and I was pleased that the Coalition Government said it would suspend the relevant licenses to Israel if hostilities restart and would revoke any licenses that undermine the peace process. Netanyahu needs to know that if a similar attack to last summer is started, then arms exports will immediately be stopped.
Israel has also been listed as a country of concern in the UK Government’s Human Rights and Democracy Report and we (Lib Dems) believe that there should be a presumption of denial when considering whether to grant arms export licenses for equipment bound for countries that are listed in that report.
In my view the priority now must be to restart peace talks as quickly as possible to bring an end to the violence, improve the lives of ordinary Palestinians and ensure Israel’s security.
John Boyle of TUSC
Stephen Priestley of UKIP
HAMPSTEAD AND KILBURN
Rebecca Johnson of the Green Party has responded.
They agree the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
They agree that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
They agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine.
They agree that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted immediately.
They agree that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements on Palestinian land and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain.
They do not have enough information to say whether or not they support the suspension of the EU Israel Association Agreement
They support a complete ban on global arms trade but do not refer specifically to Israel. Thank you for your email.
Like you I was very concerned about the bombings of Gaza and the appalling deaths that ensued,
as well as ongoing settlements and violations of Palestinian human rights.
I am committed to nonviolence and have participated in Women in Black for over 20 years,
which brought together Israeli and Palestinian women - and many others from around the world -
to oppose the Occupation. I joined Stop the War demos against the continued bombing of Gaza,
and continue to stand with Women in Black at vigils in London where we make clear our support
for Palestinian human rights and hold placards stating "Only justice for Palestinians can bring
peace to Israelis". I have also joined Palestinian women in protesting against checkpoints and
the terrible dividing Wall, and was subjected to teargas attacks when protesting against the wall
at Bil'in a few years ago.
With that in mind, my responses to your questions are below.
I hope that is helpful.
all best wishes,
Rebecca
Tulip Siddiq of the Labour Party has responded.
They agree the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
They agree that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
They agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine.
They do not directly answer whether or not they supported the lifting of the blockade.
They disagree that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements.
They do not agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should be suspended.
They do not agree with a complete suspension of arms sales to Israel, but think that arms sales should be reviewed. Thank you getting in touch to ask for my views on the Israel-Gaza conflict last year.
As you mention in your email, the conflict resulted in a tragic death toll that included many
civilians. Whilst a truce is now of course in place, the prospect of a lasting peace seems
depressingly distant.
I hope that you will allow me to give you a detailed response to your questions as opposed to
simply ticking yes or no to each particular point.
I do of course believe that the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human
rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel and with the Palestinians –
as it should in all circumstances in its foreign policy around the world.
Regarding the construction of settlements and the blockade of Gaza I agree with the comments
Ed Miliband made last April on his visit to Israel. He stated that Israel’s policy on settlements is
“wrong and illegal” and that the current move to extend settlements actively endangers the
viability of a future Palestinian state and the chances of a two-state solution. I am against the
expansion of settlements and believe that they are an obstacle to peace. The issue of settlements
however is one where in the past Israel has shown an ability to compromise – for example when
Israel dismantled settlements in the Gaza strip in 2005 – and so it is a point on which the
international community could push for significant changes with reasonable hope of success. I
also agree that counter-productive blockades on Gaza should be lifted, just as Hamas's military
wing and other militant groups should cease their counter-productive terrorist attacks on civilians
in Southern Israel.
In terms of the UK Government recognising Palestine as a state, the Labour Party made its
position clear in October when Labour MPs forced a vote in the House of Commons on
recognition of Palestine - a motion I would have supported. Clearly, such a vote by itself will not
bring about the changes we want - we need to build on it by redoubling our efforts to work with
both parties towards a lasting, negotiated agreement that will actualise the viable Palestinian state
we want to see.
In relation to a potential boycott of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, I
know that current Foreign Office guidance states there are "clear risks related to economic and
financial activities within the settlements" and that the British Government "do not encourage or
offer support to such activity." I do not support a complete boycott because I worry that isolation
will not be an effective way of bringing about peace; and there is also evidence they have been
detrimental to Palestinians in the past.
I also looked at the EU Israel Association Agreement that you mention. At 154 pages it is a
complicated document but overall I support cooperation between the EU and Israel on the same
basis that I do not feel isolation is a productive strategy.
Your final question relates to British arms supplies. The bleak picture in so many countries to
which the UK has supplied arms has highlighted the need to review and toughen Britain's arms
regulations. Following conflicts like the one between Israel and Hamas, particularly given the
high civilian death toll, I think that the UK Government should look at whether its arms export
licence criteria (the "Consolidated Criteria") are in breach, and no new arms export licenses
should be issued in cases where there is doubt about the end-use of military equipment. In the
future, I think there needs to be much greater Parliamentary scrutiny of Britain's arms export
system so that Parliament can investigate arms deals before the exports take place rather than
retrospectively, as is the case at present. It almost goes without saying that we need to continue
to work with international partners to prevent the supply of military funding and arms to
proscribed terrorist organisations, including those operating in the Middle East.
These are all important aspects of a complex and often fast-changing situation in the Middle
East. I've shared my current thoughts with you in this email, but should stress that they are topics
on which I am open to dialogue, open to new information coming to light, and open to new,
constructive ways to improve the lives of people in the region.
Maajid Nawaz of the Liberal Democrats
Magnus Nielsen of UKIP
BRENT NORTH
Luke Parker of the Conservative Party has responded.
They did not reply to the questions about whether they would urge the UK Government to uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
They do not reply to the question about whether the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
They agree with the recognition of Palestine only following successful negotiations with Israel.
They do not directly answer whether or not they supported the lifting of the blockade.
They do not answer the question on whether we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements.
They do not answer directly as to whether they support the suspension of the EU Israel Association Agreement
They did not directly the answer the question on whether or not the Government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law. Firstly, thank you for getting in touch. I have received a number of similar enquiries and
I know this is an issue about which a great number of Brent North residents have strong
opinions.
I grew up in 1980s London, a proud Englishman and also a Catholic of Irish
descent. This was a time when Irish Catholics were still bombing London and British
soldiers still patrolled the streets of Northern Ireland. I fully understand how two races
of good people can find themselves locked in a cycle of hatred and violence.
For me, the first enemy of peace is dwelling upon history. In the 1980s it was about
Imperial Britain on one side and a country's right to defend itself from attack on the
other. Those who got locked into that debate did nothing to help the actual citizens of
these two islands, they simply cemented the dispute for future generations.
There were a small, often forgotten, group of others who focused not on who had done
what, and when, but rather looked forward and asked questions such as: "how do we
build a place where both our people can live in peace?", "how do we end the
occupation?", "how do we end the terror?". It was the efforts of those people that
eventually led to the peace we now know; they are the people who encouraged the men
of violence to take the difficult steps towards dialogue; they are the reason that you and
I don't have to fear car bombs as we walk around the streets of London; they are the
reason that people in Northern Ireland no longer have checkpoints at the end of their
roads.
This should be the role we look to emulate in the Israel/Palestine conflict: ensuring the
current ceasefire is successful, opposing the extension of Israeli settlements, alleviating
humanitarian suffering in Gaza and achieving a sustainable solution that will allow the
Palestinians and the Israelis to live in peace and security.
I’m proud of the fact that the Conservative Government has given over £17 million in aid
to the Palestinian people since September 2014 and it is vital that Gaza’s civilian
population is protected. Like my party, I am of the opinion that a negotiated two-state
solution is the only way to resolve the long-term issues in the region and I will personally
position myself with anyone who seeks to promote peace and find a way in which Israel
can protect itself without hurting innocent Palestinians.
With best wishes,
Luke Parker
Scott Bartle of the Green Party has responded.
They agree the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
They agree that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
They agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine.
They agree that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted immediately.
They agree that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements on Palestinian land and stop settlement goods being sold in Britain.
They agree that the EU Israel Association should be suspended until Israel meets its human rights obligations.
They agree that the UK Government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with international law. My mum was campaigning for the Human Rights of Palestinians before I was born. It is
unacceptable that over three decades later there is still no resolution. As a graduate of Human
Rights, I believe that it is important that our government starts to look at its foreign policy and
how it is treating people across the world. Our foreign policy needs a complete reboot and its
imperative that historical inconsistency due to our colonial past is readdressed. Wherever there is
conflict in the world, the 'west' has had a hand historically in it and this is unacceptable.
I believe that we should have a foreign policy based upon Human Rights principles that are
applied consistently across the world. This is one of the reasons I joined The Green Party.
The Green Party believes that the Arab-Israeli conflict persists owing to the failure to find a fair
and humane solution to the problems of the Palestinian people; and at the same time offer
appropriate guarantees of security for Israel.
We condemned Israel's ground invasion and bombardment of Gaza in 2014, and continue to call
on the UN, the EU and the US to ensure that Israel complies with international law.
We also call on Israel to evacuate illegal settlements within the occupied territories of Palestine.
In addition, we call on the government of Israel to dismantle the 'West Bank Barrier' which
divides Palestinian territories, depriving Palestinians of land, water, and employment.
The Green Party supports active participation in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign
which aims to put pressure on the government of Israel to end the Occupation and to give equal
rights to Palestinians.
We believe that in the present situation neither the UK government nor UK companies should be
selling arms to Israel.
The Green Party is committed to principles of equality, human rights and international law.
There can be no lasting peace without justice.'
With reference to your statements:
I urge the UK Government to uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international
law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
Yes
I consider the construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank
and East Jerusalem to be illegal and unjustifiable.
Yes
In achieving these principles, what are your views on the following steps that a future UK
Government could take:
Do you agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of
Palestine?
Yes
Do you agree that the blockade on Gaza should be lifted immediately?
Yes
Do you agree that we should stop trade with Israel's settlements on Palestinian land, and stop
settlement goods being sold in Britain?
Yes
Do you agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should be suspended until Israel meets
its human rights obligations?
Yes
Do you agree that the government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with
international law?
Yes
Barry Gardiner of the Labour Party has responded.
They agree the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
They agree that the construction of Israeli settlements construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal and unjustifiable.
They agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of Palestine.
They agree that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted immediately.
They disagree that we should stop trade with Israel’s settlements.
They do not agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should be suspended.
They do not agree that the UK Government should stop supplying arms to Israel, as they think that the current restrictions on arms’ licences are adequate and Israel has a right to defend itself
Paul Lorber of the Liberal Democrats
Martin Ferguson of UKIP
Rebecca Johnson of the Green Party has responded.
- 'I am opposed to all arms sales.'
Like you I was very concerned about the bombings of Gaza and the appalling deaths that ensued,
as well as ongoing settlements and violations of Palestinian human rights.
I am committed to nonviolence and have participated in Women in Black for over 20 years,
which brought together Israeli and Palestinian women - and many others from around the world -
to oppose the Occupation. I joined Stop the War demos against the continued bombing of Gaza,
and continue to stand with Women in Black at vigils in London where we make clear our support
for Palestinian human rights and hold placards stating "Only justice for Palestinians can bring
peace to Israelis". I have also joined Palestinian women in protesting against checkpoints and
the terrible dividing Wall, and was subjected to teargas attacks when protesting against the wall
at Bil'in a few years ago.
With that in mind, my responses to your questions are below.
I hope that is helpful.
all best wishes,
Rebecca
Tulip Siddiq of the Labour Party has responded.
As you mention in your email, the conflict resulted in a tragic death toll that included many
civilians. Whilst a truce is now of course in place, the prospect of a lasting peace seems
depressingly distant.
I hope that you will allow me to give you a detailed response to your questions as opposed to
simply ticking yes or no to each particular point.
I do of course believe that the UK Government should uphold the principles of equality, human
rights and international law in all its relations and dealings with Israel and with the Palestinians –
as it should in all circumstances in its foreign policy around the world.
Regarding the construction of settlements and the blockade of Gaza I agree with the comments
Ed Miliband made last April on his visit to Israel. He stated that Israel’s policy on settlements is
“wrong and illegal” and that the current move to extend settlements actively endangers the
viability of a future Palestinian state and the chances of a two-state solution. I am against the
expansion of settlements and believe that they are an obstacle to peace. The issue of settlements
however is one where in the past Israel has shown an ability to compromise – for example when
Israel dismantled settlements in the Gaza strip in 2005 – and so it is a point on which the
international community could push for significant changes with reasonable hope of success. I
also agree that counter-productive blockades on Gaza should be lifted, just as Hamas's military
wing and other militant groups should cease their counter-productive terrorist attacks on civilians
in Southern Israel.
In terms of the UK Government recognising Palestine as a state, the Labour Party made its
position clear in October when Labour MPs forced a vote in the House of Commons on
recognition of Palestine - a motion I would have supported. Clearly, such a vote by itself will not
bring about the changes we want - we need to build on it by redoubling our efforts to work with
both parties towards a lasting, negotiated agreement that will actualise the viable Palestinian state
we want to see.
In relation to a potential boycott of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, I
know that current Foreign Office guidance states there are "clear risks related to economic and
financial activities within the settlements" and that the British Government "do not encourage or
offer support to such activity." I do not support a complete boycott because I worry that isolation
will not be an effective way of bringing about peace; and there is also evidence they have been
detrimental to Palestinians in the past.
I also looked at the EU Israel Association Agreement that you mention. At 154 pages it is a
complicated document but overall I support cooperation between the EU and Israel on the same
basis that I do not feel isolation is a productive strategy.
Your final question relates to British arms supplies. The bleak picture in so many countries to
which the UK has supplied arms has highlighted the need to review and toughen Britain's arms
regulations. Following conflicts like the one between Israel and Hamas, particularly given the
high civilian death toll, I think that the UK Government should look at whether its arms export
licence criteria (the "Consolidated Criteria") are in breach, and no new arms export licenses
should be issued in cases where there is doubt about the end-use of military equipment. In the
future, I think there needs to be much greater Parliamentary scrutiny of Britain's arms export
system so that Parliament can investigate arms deals before the exports take place rather than
retrospectively, as is the case at present. It almost goes without saying that we need to continue
to work with international partners to prevent the supply of military funding and arms to
proscribed terrorist organisations, including those operating in the Middle East.
These are all important aspects of a complex and often fast-changing situation in the Middle
East. I've shared my current thoughts with you in this email, but should stress that they are topics
on which I am open to dialogue, open to new information coming to light, and open to new,
constructive ways to improve the lives of people in the region.
Maajid Nawaz of the Liberal Democrats
Magnus Nielsen of UKIP
BRENT NORTH
Luke Parker of the Conservative Party has responded.
I know this is an issue about which a great number of Brent North residents have strong
opinions.
I grew up in 1980s London, a proud Englishman and also a Catholic of Irish
descent. This was a time when Irish Catholics were still bombing London and British
soldiers still patrolled the streets of Northern Ireland. I fully understand how two races
of good people can find themselves locked in a cycle of hatred and violence.
For me, the first enemy of peace is dwelling upon history. In the 1980s it was about
Imperial Britain on one side and a country's right to defend itself from attack on the
other. Those who got locked into that debate did nothing to help the actual citizens of
these two islands, they simply cemented the dispute for future generations.
There were a small, often forgotten, group of others who focused not on who had done
what, and when, but rather looked forward and asked questions such as: "how do we
build a place where both our people can live in peace?", "how do we end the
occupation?", "how do we end the terror?". It was the efforts of those people that
eventually led to the peace we now know; they are the people who encouraged the men
of violence to take the difficult steps towards dialogue; they are the reason that you and
I don't have to fear car bombs as we walk around the streets of London; they are the
reason that people in Northern Ireland no longer have checkpoints at the end of their
roads.
This should be the role we look to emulate in the Israel/Palestine conflict: ensuring the
current ceasefire is successful, opposing the extension of Israeli settlements, alleviating
humanitarian suffering in Gaza and achieving a sustainable solution that will allow the
Palestinians and the Israelis to live in peace and security.
I’m proud of the fact that the Conservative Government has given over £17 million in aid
to the Palestinian people since September 2014 and it is vital that Gaza’s civilian
population is protected. Like my party, I am of the opinion that a negotiated two-state
solution is the only way to resolve the long-term issues in the region and I will personally
position myself with anyone who seeks to promote peace and find a way in which Israel
can protect itself without hurting innocent Palestinians.
With best wishes,
Luke Parker
Scott Bartle of the Green Party has responded.
unacceptable that over three decades later there is still no resolution. As a graduate of Human
Rights, I believe that it is important that our government starts to look at its foreign policy and
how it is treating people across the world. Our foreign policy needs a complete reboot and its
imperative that historical inconsistency due to our colonial past is readdressed. Wherever there is
conflict in the world, the 'west' has had a hand historically in it and this is unacceptable.
I believe that we should have a foreign policy based upon Human Rights principles that are
applied consistently across the world. This is one of the reasons I joined The Green Party.
The Green Party believes that the Arab-Israeli conflict persists owing to the failure to find a fair
and humane solution to the problems of the Palestinian people; and at the same time offer
appropriate guarantees of security for Israel.
We condemned Israel's ground invasion and bombardment of Gaza in 2014, and continue to call
on the UN, the EU and the US to ensure that Israel complies with international law.
We also call on Israel to evacuate illegal settlements within the occupied territories of Palestine.
In addition, we call on the government of Israel to dismantle the 'West Bank Barrier' which
divides Palestinian territories, depriving Palestinians of land, water, and employment.
The Green Party supports active participation in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign
which aims to put pressure on the government of Israel to end the Occupation and to give equal
rights to Palestinians.
We believe that in the present situation neither the UK government nor UK companies should be
selling arms to Israel.
The Green Party is committed to principles of equality, human rights and international law.
There can be no lasting peace without justice.'
With reference to your statements:
I urge the UK Government to uphold the principles of equality, human rights and international
law in all its relations and dealings with Israel.
Yes
I consider the construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank
and East Jerusalem to be illegal and unjustifiable.
Yes
In achieving these principles, what are your views on the following steps that a future UK
Government could take:
Do you agree that one of the first acts of the next UK Government should be the recognition of
Palestine?
Yes
Do you agree that the blockade on Gaza should be lifted immediately?
Yes
Do you agree that we should stop trade with Israel's settlements on Palestinian land, and stop
settlement goods being sold in Britain?
Yes
Do you agree that the EU Israel Association Agreement should be suspended until Israel meets
its human rights obligations?
Yes
Do you agree that the government should stop supplying arms to Israel until it complies with
international law?
Yes
Barry Gardiner of the Labour Party has responded.
Paul Lorber of the Liberal Democrats
Martin Ferguson of UKIP