We are aware of the findings of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Protection of Civilians Report (6-19 October 2020). The UK condemns any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We recognise that there can be an increase in assaults on Palestinian farmers, the destruction of olive trees and the stealing of produce coinciding with the Palestinian olive harvest, which began earlier this month. We have expressed our concerns to the Israeli Government on a number of occasions. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. We welcome the efforts of Israeli authorities to address settler violence, and urge them to thoroughly investigate every instance and bring those responsible to justice.

My Lords, the noble Baroness raises an important point. On her second point about sexual and reproductive health and support for women, particularly in conflict zones, the United Kingdom has been very clear indeed. When the latest PSVI resolution was passed, I made it very clear in support of the resolution that the absence of that element was a major omission from the resolution. Nevertheless, let me assure her that whether it is within the conflict zone itself or through the international courts, we shall ensure that the perpetrators of sexual violence are held to account.

We are deeply concerned by the recent hostilities in Gaza and welcome steps taken on 31 August 2020 to de-escalate the situation, and ease some restrictions. All countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend their citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties. We urge both sides to maintain calm and avoid taking actions which make peace more difficult to achieve.

We are very concerned at the numbers of Palestinians killed by Israel Defense Forces in the West Bank and Gaza. We have raised the issue with the Israeli authorities, encouraging them to carry out transparent investigations into whether the use of live fire had been appropriate. We have also stressed the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. Any attacks targeted against civilians are unlawful and unjustifiable. While Israel has a legitimate right to self-defence, it is vital that all its actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties.

We have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli Government. In our dialogue with the Israeli authorities we have recognised their legitimate need to deploy security measures to address violence. We encourage them to deploy these in a way which minimises tension and use appropriate force. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we have advocated swift, transparent investigations.

The UK fully supports the need for an independent and transparent investigation into recent events in Gaza. We have repeatedly made clear to Israel our concerns about the use of live ammunition by the Israel Defense Forces to respond to protests in Gaza. In particular we have stressed the importance of protecting civilians, especially children and medical personnel. We have also been clear that Israel has the right to protect itself, as it is plain that Hamas and its operatives had been exploiting the protests for their own benefit. While the Human Rights Council report looks into Israel's actions, it is highly regrettable the Commission of Inquiry Report does not look comprehensively at the actions of non-state actors such as Hamas.

The UK Government takes its arms export licensing responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. Our defence exports to Saudi Arabia are kept under careful and continual review to ensure they meet the rigorous standards of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application.

We have not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities over this issue. We do understand, however, that the Operations Commander in the Central Command of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has ordered a halt to the use of dogs in arrest missions until the procedure is reviewed. The IDF is investigating an incident in which IDF soldiers used dogs to stop Palestinians accused of stone-throwing near Hebron. An IDF official said the soldiers’ behaviour was improper, and would be met with disciplinary measures.

We regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities about their use of live fire which has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians including children.

Recent contact includes written correspondence between the British Ambassador in Tel Aviv and the Israeli Ministry of Defence, and discussions between our Embassy officials and the Israeli National Security Council and the Israeli Office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on 16 January.

We seek to end civilian casualties by supporting current efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the meantime, we frequently make representations to the Israeli authorities about the use of live fire by the Israeli Defence Force leading to civilian deaths and injuries, including when policing protests in the West Bank and the buffer zone between Israel and Gaza.

When officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv have raised the issues of civilian deaths and injuries, the response they have received from the Israel authorities is that investigations have been opened but that the use of force was authorised in the face of a legitimate security threat. The Israeli authorities have stressed their commitment to protecting non-combatants with examples given of the extent to which they go to avoid civilian casualties.

Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv made representations over the death of a Palestinian civilian at the Jenin refugee camp with the Israeli Prime Minister's office on 21 and 23 August. They also stressed our concern over the use of live fire by the Israeli Defence Force resulting in the deaths of three Palestinian civilians in Qalandia refugee camp with the Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on 29 August. They have subsequently made representations on the general issue of Israeli military incursions into Palestinian population areas and use of live fire to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office on 17 September.

We have made no assessment of the number of non-violent protestors killed or injured in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 2002.

According to the website of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 3,643 Palestinian civilians have been killed by Israelis since 1 January 2012 in incidents directly related to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in the West Bank and Gaza strip.

We are very concerned by incidents in which Palestinian civilians have been injured and killed by the Israel Defence Force (IDF) this year. We have raised these cases with the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs, the National Security Council and with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the Israeli authority for the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We most recently raised the issue of investigations into the killing of Palestinian civilians by the IDF with the Israeli Attorney General on 20 June.

The Government regularly discusses a range of issues with diaspora communities and others with an interest in Muslim countries, including the impact of events in those countries on communities in the UK.

In terms of assessing impact on community tensions relating to events and incidents abroad, the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Home Office also funds the National Community Tension Team (NCTT), part of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The NCTT collates and assesses local police community tension reporting, which includes tension generated by events abroad.

The Government are very concerned that six Palestinians were killed by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) in different incidents in recent weeks. We have raised these cases with the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs and the relevant Israeli authority for the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The IDF has launched internal investigations into these cases, which the UK will follow closely.

The UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our long-standing concerns about the manner in which the IDF polices non-violent protests and the border areas, including use of live ammunition. We will continue to do so.

Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns regarding the use of live ammunition in this case with the Director-General for Strategic Affairs in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on 17 January.

The UK remains concerned about the situation in Gaza and the recent escalation of violence in southern Israel and Gaza.

We are aware of reports of the incident concerning Fahmi Abu Riash. We have not raised this specific incident with the Israeli authorities but continue to monitor developments in Gaza closely and to raise our concerns as appropriate. We respect Israel’s right to protect its security but believe it is vital to avoid civilian casualties.

The UK expressed its concern at the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel and urged all sides to exercise restraint and avoid civilian casualties. Continued violence serves no one’s interest.