We will move to the short debate now. Members leaving, if you could do so quietly. Peredur Owen Griffiths will present the short debates on Gaza, a Welsh response.

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. When my name came out of the ballot for this short debate, it's always a privilege, because you get up to 15 minutes to talk about something that's important to you. I'm allowed to give up some of my time to other Members to speak, for up to a minute each, and tonight I've been inundated with requests. But I've gone on a first come, first served basis and agreed to give a minute each to Rhun ap Iorwerth, Sioned Williams, Mabon ap Gwynfor, Jenny Rathbone and John Griffiths. The Cabinet Secretary will then respond to the debate on behalf of the Government, and there's no vote on short debates. So, as I say, it's a great opportunity to speak on a subject that is important to me. I knew I wanted to talk about Gaza, and, in particular, to note our Welsh response.

Our response was almost immediate, with statements made by all party leaders in this Chamber on 10 October, condemning the Hamas attack on 7 October and calling for the release of the hostages. Plaid Cymru went further and called for a ceasefire back then. It's hard to believe that it's almost six months since 8 November, when we then held that historic vote in the Senedd to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Thanks to support from Jane Dodds and some Labour backbenchers, the Senedd vote in favour of the immediate ceasefire motion tabled by Plaid Cymru passed. Plaid Cymru received some criticism from some quarters for this action, with some people saying that we should concentrate on matters in Wales. There are two things to say about that. Firstly, Plaid Cymru have a proud tradition of standing up on the world stage and raising our voices when we need to. Secondly, there are Welsh citizens who have been directly affected by events in Gaza. Earlier this month, we heard from Gillian and Pete Brisley from Bridgend who lost their daughter and granddaughters in the attack by Hamas on 7 October, and I have attended prayers next to a man in Dar-ul-Isra mosque who has lost over 20 members of his immediate family in Israel's war on Gaza.

The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair.

Our job in this place is to represent all people in Wales, and that is what Plaid Cymru is doing. While I'm proud that we played our part in condemning what was already a dire situation for the people of Gaza in early November, the bombing, the starvation and the killing has continued relentlessly. According to Al Jazeera, the death toll stands at 1,139 people in Israel and 34,979 Palestinians killed since 7 October. In reality, the death toll is likely to be much higher, as more and more bodies are pulled out of the rubble and the grim discovery of mass graves at two different burial sites outside Nasser and Al-Shifa hospitals, where 390 bodies were recovered. This is devastation and sorrow on an unimaginable scale. Quite frankly, it's hard to talk about, and it's hard to watch. But talk about it we must. We must bear witness. And many have felt called to action. I see some people in the gallery that have been doing that.

In Wales, the response from a large number of people to these horrors has been clear: 'Not in my name'. People have attended rallies and vigils, people have marched, people have fundraised for relief efforts, and people have boycotted firms with connections to the Israeli military. Just like the Senedd ceasefire motion, they send a clear message from the people of Wales that we do not support Israel's continuing military offensive against the civilians in Gaza. To stand by, watch, and do nothing is not an option when the consequences of Israel's incursion into Gaza are so grave. I've been on marches and rallies, and at fundraisers. I've witnessed the passion from people who just want better from this world. Has that passion and determination been matched by our Government? Sadly, it has not. I was surprised last week when the First Minister said to me that—and I quote—

'It's been the position of the Welsh Government for some time that there should be an immediate ceasefire.'

That was news to me. It was also news to my colleagues, and it was news to the anti-war campaigners I'm in touch with, because when the Plaid Cymru ceasefire motion was brought to the Senedd, all Government Ministers abstained. I'm still waiting for clarification from the First Minister on when that position changed, and how it was communicated. What is concerning is how nobody knew anything about it.

I received an e-mail from a member of the Wales Overseas Agencies Group that said that they had sent a letter to the former First Minister, Mark Drakeford, in February. The letter addressed the UK Government's decision to suspend funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which is still not yet reinstated. As WOAG are yet to receive a response to the letter, they did resend this to the new First Minister last week following his comments that the Welsh Government supports an immediate ceasefire. Maybe the Cabinet Secretary will clarify this in her response and encourage the First Minister to answer the letter.

When looking at a uniquely Welsh response to the situation in Gaza, I was drawn to the Interfaith Council for Wales website. On the website, since March this year, the Muslim Council of Wales issued, with the South Wales Jewish Representative Council, under the auspices of the Interfaith Council for Wales, a commitment to dialogue and a call for peace in the middle east. This simple act is unique in Britain and a testament to Wales's approach to interfaith relations. This is one of the reasons that I'm proud to be able to talk about a Welsh response—one not looking for division but to work together for shared understanding and a shared commitment to peace and humanity.

Dirprwy Lywydd and my fellow Members, I'm sure we can all commend this Welsh way of doing things. After more than six months since the launch of the Israeli offensive, sanctions are long overdue. Stopping armed shipments is long overdue. Divestment of firms and pension schemes fuelling or sustaining this conflict is long overdue. The whole region is on the brink of a war that is much bigger than what we are currently seeing. That has to be stopped before it goes any further. It is incumbent on the international community to reflect the views of the people they serve and say that enough is enough.

Wales can play its part in that effort. I'm calling on this Labour Government to be clear and determined in its opposition to the ongoing aggression in Gaza. That begins with a clear call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, which will allow the enormous humanitarian operation to take place. This needs to happen for the sake of the people of Gaza, this needs to happen for the sake of the hostages that are still being held, and it needs to happen for the sake of peace and humanity. Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you, Peredur, for bringing forward this debate today and for allowing me to make a brief contribution. The danger always is that the passage of time makes people lose focus and get used to something that's happening over there, regardless of how terrible it is.

We cannot allow the world to forget the horrors of this war. We can't forget those killed and taken hostage on 7 October, and we demand their release. And we must never forget the tens of thousands killed and still being killed in Gaza, the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians facing absolute destitution, malnutrition and homelessness. We must re-emphasise our condemnation of those responsible, demand an end to the atrocities, a ceasefire, sanctions, a massive increase in humanitarian aid. I am proud of how so many people in Wales have responded. Our Senedd can and must continue to speak up as part of a global community taking a stand for tolerance and for peace.

Humanity must prevail in Palestine and Israel. My constituents tell me that they want an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, proper levels of humanitarian aid, and the beginnings of a political solution that will last. António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations has spoken very powerfully during this awful period of time. He has said, 'These are moments in history—do not be a bystander.' I'm very proud that people in Wales have marched, have gone to rallies, have protested—and I've been very privileged to be part of that—to make their voices heard for humanity and peace. I believe now and throughout this terrible crisis it has been so important that political representatives and political leaders at all levels have spoken out and made their views known—spoken in favour of that immediate and permanent ceasefire, those proper levels of humanitarian aid, the release of hostages and the beginning of that political solution. That's the Wales I want to be part of, Dirprwy Lywydd, and I believe we must strengthen those voices now, at this critical time, for so many caught up in this terrible carnage. 

More than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza and, according to the UN, 72 per cent are thought to be women and children. As a woman, parliamentarian and as a representative of Welsh women in this place, I have a moral duty to use my voice to condemn the deaths and suffering of those innocent women and children. The Welsh Government can't talk about the importance of maternal health, period dignity, children's well-being and the right and importance of education without taking a stand and using every platform and every ounce of influence to call out the appalling, unjust and illegal treatment of children and women in Gaza.

Although we don't have powers over international affairs, we can and should as a nation, as a national Parliament and Government make a powerful statement for peace. We've got a long tradition of using that voice for peace, from Greenham Common to the Iraq war, and we should never underestimate the legitimacy and power of that collective voice. Because when it suits them, the Welsh Government will discuss international affairs at length, often referencing international matters in response to LCMs, treaties, trade agreements, committee reports, and we need only think of the attention given by Ministers in speeches and statements on the appalling invasion of Ukraine and its devastating consequences. So, the essential point here is that the Senedd and Government of Wales cannot be silent, especially now when we see Israel determined to enact even more death and destruction in Rafah. We need them to speak up and speak out, and the words we must hear are 'Ceasefire now'.

As Rhun ap Iorwerth said, we cannot get used to the level of carnage that's going on; we must not turn away. Jana Ayad is a child, roughly the same age as my second granddaughter. She's all skin and bones, starving to death because of a deliberate policy not to allow enough food into Gaza to feed all these people displaced by the bombing. With the right nutrition, Jana could be saved, if the blockade of Gaza was lifted. 

On Monday night a journalist, Salem Abu Toyor, and his son, were killed when an Israeli bomb struck their house. Israel has killed more journalists in Gaza than all journalists killed in the second world war, in just 200 days. Whether Israeli military are deliberately killing journalists—or does it just have laissez-faire attitude towards killing civilians living in Gaza, and journalists, like health workers and aid workers, get in the way of their campaign?

We're told that the latest ceasefire package is a generous offer, says Antony Blinken. One month without bombing and starvation, followed by a massacre in Rafah, or an immediate assault on Rafah doesn't feel like either generous, attractive or in line with the rules around the conduct of war. This occupying army has a duty to care for civilians in the area, not met in either Gaza or the West Bank. The US Government must insist on an immediate and endurable ceasefire, or withhold all military aid to Israel, and we must continue to shout for an immediate ceasefire and an endurable, sustainable solution.

Thank you very much, Peredur, for your wonderful and very powerful contribution to this debate. Those who defend the actions of the state of Israel say that that state is protecting itself, but killing 35,000 people is not an act of defence. It's not an act of defence to kill a third of them being children. It's not an act of defence to bomb patients in hospital, and it's certainly not an act of defence to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching a population that is about to starve to death. Indeed, according to the International Court of Justice definition, these acts could be described as genocide.

Now, the news that we received some weeks ago on the bombing of the World Central Kitchen vehicles was devastatingly sad, and we heard that three people from the UK were killed. All of a sudden, the UK Government took an interest. What we saw in reality was that the life of one white person from Britain was equivalent to the lives of 11,000 innocent Palestinians.

Now, those bombings have been allowed because Israel is able to buy weapons without any restrictions from the nations providing them. So, I’d be interested to hear in the Minister’s response what steps the Welsh Government is taking in order to ensure that no arms from Wales or components from Wales are sold to the Israeli Government. We must prevent that sale of arms and the licensing of those sales. Thank you.

I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice to reply to the debate—Lesley Griffiths. 

Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you, Peredur Owen Griffiths, for bringing forward this very important debate. All of us around this Chamber have been horrified by the onset of and continuing violence in Israel, Palestine and the wider region. The Welsh Government is conscious that whilst foreign policy issues are not devolved, there are very real and lasting consequences in our Welsh communities. It is valuable we have this opportunity to discuss those consequences in more detail.

Today’s debate also builds upon the ceasefire motion that Peredur referred to, which was debated in this Chamber on 8 November last year. In keeping with convention—and I just want to clarify this—Welsh Ministers abstained from the vote on that motion as matters of foreign policy are not devolved to Senedd Cymru. However, in the debate itself my predecessor, the Minister for Social Justice, was clear the Welsh Government wanted to see a full ceasefire as soon as possible. This position has been repeated in Plenary by both the First Minister and the former First Minister, and I know the First Minister will answer the correspondence Peredur referred to.

There must be a renewed sense of urgency amongst the international community to deliver a full and permanent ceasefire, ending the suffering on all sides as quickly as possible. As the First Minister said last week, there is a very real humanitarian crisis taking place. We sincerely hope all relevant partners ensure a significant and immediate increase in aid entering Gaza, agree to release all of the hostages, end the violence, and meaningfully engage in the development of a lasting two-state solution.

A cessation of violence must be the essential platform for a longer term and determined political process towards the establishment of a two-state solution based on a sovereign Palestinian state and a secure Israel. There can be no security for anyone in Israel and Palestine without a long-term peace that is fair to both. There has been and continues to be unimaginable suffering for innocent people on all sides, and it is imperative that everyone recognises the common humanity of all victims.

In Wales the challenge for us is identifying the influence we can have to help bring about the changes we all want to see, to stop the hatred and its consequences. The history and geopolitics of the region, as well as the continuing violence and the fact that foreign policy is not devolved, severely limits the scope of what we can do, despite our deep sorrow. [Interruption.] Can I just carry on for a minute, please? Nevertheless, there are things we can and we are doing in Wales to support the communities living here who are affected.

You'll remember that, in the Scottish Parliament, there was a debate held calling for an immediate ceasefire. During that debate the former First Minister Humza Yousaf said that he had sent a letter from the Scottish Government to both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer asking them to call for an immediate ceasefire. Has the Welsh Government done the same?

'I don't know' is the honest answer.

That speaks volumes, really.

I will look into that for you, and I will obviously write to you and let you know.

We have been monitoring any community tensions relating to this conflict via our community cohesion programme, and monitoring any spikes in hate incidents via our Wales hate support centre. Although there have been some hateful incidents, thankfully these have been isolated, and we have not seen the spikes we feared. Ministers have met with Jewish and Muslim leaders to discuss the impacts of the conflict in Israel and Gaza on our communities here in Wales. We've encouraged inter-cultural solidarity and dialogue in partnership with our faith communities forum. To address any issues in schools, we were able to co-author a letter for schools, colleges and universities in Wales with the Muslim Council of Wales and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. We will continue to work in partnership with all faiths, as we have done so well since the forum was established after 9/11, to promote recognition of our common humanity.

Prejudice and hate have no place in Wales. We expect allegations and incidents of racism and racial harassment to be fully investigated, with appropriate action taken to address the matter and prevent further incidents from happening.

The Welsh Government has made donations to a number of Disasters Emergency Committee appeals in recent years—

Will you take an intervention? 

Can I just make some progress, please? We have not been able to do this to alleviate some of the suffering in Gaza, because DEC has been unable to launch a campaign. At this time, DEC believes only a lasting ceasefire will enable its agencies the opportunity to effectively provide much-needed aid in Gaza. We continue to see proposals to increase maritime delivery and air drops for aid, which we hope will increase more effective aid. We will keep our position under review should DEC feel the criteria for an appeal can be met.

Thank you very much for that. Do you share my grave concern about aid workers, who are in not just Gaza but in the West Bank at the moment? Some of my former colleagues in ActionAid Palestine were trapped in Gaza for a long time at the beginning of this conflict, and are now in the West Bank in terrible conditions. We've heard about what happened at World Central Kitchen as well. Do you agree with me that these people are people who want to keep other people alive, that they give up their lives in order to make this world a better place, and it is only an urgent ceasefire and an end to killings that will actually make sure that they can get the aid to the people who so desperately need it?

Yes, absolutely. As you say, those people go to these countries to keep other people safe, and it's horrific that they are obviously put in that position. 

The Welsh Government is keeping in regular contact with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to understand UK efforts in relation to the conflict, and to understand any perceived impacts for Wales. Members will know that, last week, the Brisley family situation was raised in First Minister's question, and the FCDO has confirmed to us that support is being provided to the family in these horrific circumstances. The First Minister committed to working with Members who may have constituents with family members who were victims on 7 October, or who are being held as hostages, to understand if further support is needed. Each and every day hostages remain in captivity prolongs the agony of the atrocities, and we want to ensure appropriate support is available. 

Since 7 October, Welsh Ministers have asked UK Government Ministers about opportunities for resettlement from Gaza for those most in need. It appears to us there continues to be no current prospect of a Gaza resettlement scheme for the UK. In recent years, Welsh local authorities and our communities have provided a welcome to Ukrainians, to Afghans, Syrians and asylum seekers from many countries. Accordingly, as a nation that aspires to be a nation of sanctuary, we would also aim to play a full part in any Gaza resettlement scheme if one was established.

We've been following the campaign for a Gaza family reunion scheme with keen interest. The Welsh Government already funds the British Red Cross to support family reunion, helping those with refugee status to bring their family members to Wales via a safe and legal route established by the UK Government. However, referrals to the project from Gaza are complicated by the barriers to exit Gaza. The painful history of the region affects the willingness of Palestinians to leave, and the willingness of neighbouring countries to permit entry. There is a clear concern that Palestinians may never be able to return if they leave now. Reassurances—

[Inaudible.] 

I can't take any more, sorry. Reassurances about the right to return for anyone leaving Gaza are clearly beyond our control. However, solutions need to be found if we are able to support reunion in Wales. 

We have not called specifically for a Gaza family reunion scheme. Instead, we have called for a more progressive version of the UK family reunion scheme, which builds upon some of the successes of the now closed Ukraine family scheme. The Ukraine scheme supported 57,000 arrivals in a very short period, largely because the definition of 'family' was broad and application processing was quick. This same approach for Palestinians and others could have a very beneficial impact for the well-being and security of many families. 

Family reunion is vital for any sanctuary seeker living in Wales, regardless of where in the world their separated family member is living. Our approach is to advocate for a family scheme that could support Palestinians or any other person who has found sanctuary here in Wales. And we will continue to call for this.

In conclusion, Welsh Government will play a constructive role to support affected communities and families in Wales, and seek to play any part we can in supporting international efforts. We call again for a ceasefire, for an increase in aid, and for the hostages to be released. Diolch.

I thank all Members. That brings today's proceedings to a close.

The meeting ended at 18:45.