My update on conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs)

Thank you for your correspondence of 7 July to the Foreign Secretary, on behalf of a number of your constituents, about Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). I am replying as the Minister responsible for the Middle East.

Despite the glimmer of hope from January’s ceasefire, its collapse has only deepened the suffering in this ongoing conflict. Over 50,000 men, women and children have been killed in Gaza and more than 90% of the population have been displaced, many repeatedly.
The Foreign Secretary addressed the House of Commons on 20 May 2025 on the situation in Israel and the OPTs where he stated that we are now entering a dark new phase in this conflict. He added that Netanyahu’s government were planning to drive Gazans from their homes into a corner of the Strip to the south and permit them a fraction of the aid that they need.

We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations. We believe there is no military solution to this conflict. Israel’s plan is morally indefensible, grossly disproportionate, and ultimately counterproductive. Despite claims by Israeli ministers, this approach will not bring the hostages home, as nearly all have been freed through negotiation, not force.

On 10 June 2025, I announced the UK imposition of sanctions on prominent Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for their role in inciting settler violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank – violence that has led to the death of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole towns and villages. That violence constitutes an abuse of Palestinians’ human rights. It is cruel, it is degrading, and it is completely unacceptable. We have told the Israeli government repeatedly that we would take tougher action if this did not stop. It still did not stop: the appalling rhetoric has continued unchecked; and violent perpetrators continue to act with impunity and encouragement. We acted alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, all of whom announced their own measures on 10 June 2025.

Israel suffered a horrific attack on 7 October 2023, and like all states, has a right to self defence. However, this plan will neither eliminate Hamas, nor ensure Israel’s security. Instead, it risks perpetuating the cycle of violence, leaving a generation traumatised and vulnerable to radicalisation. Opposing a war that has killed thousands of children is not rewarding Hamas. We have been clear that Israel must ensure all its actions are in line with international law.

We have been clear that this Government will uphold both our domestic and international legal obligations when it comes to arms exports. The UK operates a robust system of export controls, set out in the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. They state that items may not be exported where there is a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). On day one of this government, the Foreign Secretary ordered a review into Israel’s compliance with IHL. The review concluded that there was a clear risk that UK exports for the IDF in the Gaza conflict might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of IHL.

As a result, we took decisive action, stopping exports to the IDF that might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of IHL in Gaza. We have successfully implemented the suspension decision and continue to refuse all relevant licence applications. We refused more licence applications for Israel in 2024 than in 2020 to 2023 combined.

As set out to Parliament, the only exception to the suspension is parts for the global F-35 programme, to protect its role in NATO and international peace and security. We have suspended direct exports of F-35 parts for use by Israel, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition which could be used in Gaza and the West Bank. In the judgement handed down on 30 June 2025, the High Court upheld the Government’s decision-making on this matter.

It is the UK Government’s long-standing policy that any formal determination that genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, and not for governments or non-judicial bodies. This approach ensures that any determination is above politics, lobbying, and individual or national interest. The UK respects the independence of the International Court of Justice and awaits their decision. We cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings and do not believe it helpful to speculate on the outcome.

From our first day in office, this Government has pressed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, to free the hostages and to bring humanitarian aid to civilians who have suffered so much. A negotiated solution is the only way to ensure long term security for both Israelis and Palestinians, and we urge all parties to return to negotiations. The Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the OPTs three times since taking office, meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as families of hostages, victims of violence and members of the humanitarian community.

The UK will not give up on a two-state solution, which will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and stable Palestinian state. It remains the only framework, for a just and lasting peace. The Two-State Solution Conference has been postponed following military escalations in the region. We will continue to work closely with France, Saudi Arabia and others to make the conference a success when it is rescheduled.

The situation in the region continues to evolve rapidly. But please rest assured that the Foreign Secretary and his entire Ministerial team will continue to do all they can to push for peace.