[Ann Winterton in the Chair] — Palestinian Territories (Economic Aid)

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 10:48 am on 27 January 2009.

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Photo of Michael Foster Michael Foster Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for International Development 10:48, 27 January 2009

I am conscious that there are allegations on all sides about the illegal use of weapons, and that the matter should be, and is, subject to international humanitarian law and its agencies.

The BBC has come in for a lot of criticism during this debate. Its decision has managed to unite the political parties, the friends of Israel and the friends of Palestine. Somehow, it is deemed to be impartial, and it is worried about its impartiality. As for whether today's comments constitute interference in editorial decision making, I have to say that if an MP expresses a public opinion on a matter, that is not editorial interference. Trying to secure the best humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza does not constitute interference in editorial decision making.

Access has long been a problem in Gaza. We have been calling for the borders to be opened for a long time. It is an issue that I raised with Israeli Minister Herzog when I was in Jerusalem. It turned out that Israel was perfectly happy to consider increasing the number of trucks going through the crossings from 100 to 500 a day, which, according to the UN, will maintain the status quo. However, as my hon. Friend Richard Burden said, that does not take into account the 18 months in which the blockade has taken place and the backlog of work that is needed to be done.