PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Middle East (21 July 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of recent Israeli actions in Gaza and that country's compliance with international law and its obligations under the Geneva Conventions.

Asked by:
Stephen Doughty (Labour)

The Prime Minister has been clear that Israel has a right to self-defence but that everything must be done to minimise civilian casualties.

An assessment of whether Israeli actions in Gaza comply with international law and its obligations under the Geneva Conventions requires an investigation on the ground. To that end the United Nations Human Rights Council has set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate purported violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the Gaza Strip since the conflict began on 13 June. The UK supports this inquiry, which must be balanced and independent.

Answered by:
Mr Tobias Ellwood (Conservative)
1 September 2014