Israel and Gaza: Ceasefire

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:38 pm on 19 May 2021.

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Photo of James Cleverly James Cleverly Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) 12:38, 19 May 2021

I remind the hon. Gentleman of the sequencing of the events that unfolded in Gaza and Israel. Israel’s actions were in response to indiscriminate rocket attacks from an internationally recognised terrorist organisation. Israel has the right to self-defence. We have urged it at every step to do so proportionately and to take every step it is able to take to minimise civilian casualties. I am sure that like me he is horrified when we see images of fatalities, whether they be Israeli or Palestinian, and that is why, while the issue of recognition is important, it is not for now. Now is about bringing this conflict to an end.