The Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Foreign Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 25 Nov 2024 Closed: 30 Oct 2025 Parliament page
This inquiry asks how the UK and its allies can help to achieve a ceasefire and lasting end to the war in Gaza and Lebanon.
10 Recommendations
15 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
5 Letters
8 Events
Activity timeline 23 events
30 Oct
2025
Report published
28 Oct
2025
Correspondence
25 Jul
2025
Report published
22 Jul
2025
Correspondence
16 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
16 Jun
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
13 May
2025
Oral evidence
13 May
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
22 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
22 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
11 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
11 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
16 Jun 2025
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Anna Halford · Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) UK Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan · Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) Rohan Talbot · Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) Shaina Low · Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
13 May 2025
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His Excellency Mr Rami Mortada · Embassy of Lebanon in the United Kingdom
22 Apr 2025
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Jonathan Sacerdoti Natasha Hausdorff · UK Lawyers for Israel Shelly Tal Meron · Israeli Knesset
11 Mar 2025
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Mr Hamish Falconer MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Stephen Hickey · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
27 Jan 2025
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Alon-Lee Green · Standing Together Amnon Be’eri Sulitzeanu · The Abraham Initiatives Bassam Aramin · Parents Circle Families Forum John Lyndon · Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP) Robi Damelin · Parents Circle Families Forum Rula Daood · Standing Together Shahira Shalaby · The Abraham Initiatives
12 Dec 2024
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Claire Clement · British Red Cross Professor Marco Sassoli · University of Geneva
10 Dec 2024
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Adam Rose · Mishcon de Reya Adam Wagner · Doughty Street Chambers Colonel (Retired) Miri Eisin · International Institute for Counter-Terrorism Dr Gershon Baskin · Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) Dr Sharone Lifschitz Dr Victor Kattan · The University of Nottingham H.E. Dr Husam Zomlot · Palestine Mission to the United Kingdom Samer Sinijlawi · Jerusalem Development Fund
3 Dec 2024
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Middle East: Britain’s role in a sustainable peace
Rt Hon Alistair Burt · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Title HC No. Published Items Response
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict HC 488 25 Jul 2025 25 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Redouble UK efforts for Gaza ceasefire, hostage release, and unrestricted aid access.
The UK Government must redouble its efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza—with the release of all hostages—and an end to military activity in the West Bank. It should use its influence with the US administration to encourage the … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will medically evacuate a limited number of critically sick and injured children from Gaza to the UK for specialist treatment, with the first groups already arrived and more expected. It also describes ongoing efforts for a ceasefire and working with the US, but does not address opening all crossing points or dismantling the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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3 Recommendation Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Repeat call for immediate release of all hostages and support information collection.
The Government must repeat its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages and the bodies of those who have died in captivity. The taking, holding in captivity, torture, sexual abuse and murder of hostages is despicable … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation, stating that calling for the release of hostages has been a top priority since October 7th and they will continue efforts. They also state they already have established networks to gather information on hostage-takers and support criminal proceedings.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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5 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Israeli Government's refusal of media access to Gaza breaches international norms.
The Israeli Government’s refusal to allow media access to Gaza to report on the war is a breach of internationally recognised norms. Journalists’ work will be crucial as an informational basis for any long-term findings regarding the legality of the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the conclusion, stating it urges Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access to Gaza and has repeatedly called on Israeli authorities to ensure media workers can operate freely and safely.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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6 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Press Israeli counterparts to restore journalist access and lift media bans in Gaza.
The Committee condemns the killing of over 186 Palestinian journalists in Gaza and reiterates that Israel has a responsibility not to target journalists, who are protected under international law. While Israel has suggested that many of these may have been … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating it urges Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access and has repeatedly called on Israeli authorities to ensure media workers can operate freely and safely, and condemns violence against journalists.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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8 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Reaffirm Israel's right to defend itself amidst F-35 component licence debate.
The Government decision to licence the sale of F-35 components to Israel has been subject to ongoing dispute and difference of opinion amongst the UK public and politicians. The Committee recognises the real threat to Israel from Iran and its … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the conclusion and outlines its current policy regarding F-35 components, stating it has suspended export licenses that might be used by the IDF in Gaza, with an exception for parts for the global F-35 programme, but has suspended direct exports of F-35 parts for use by Israel.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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9 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Licensing F-35 components is a political decision impacting international peace and security.
Even if the Government’s decision to licence the sale of F-35 components is lawful under domestic law, the decision of whether to do so is still a political one. The Government’s decision has been taken on the basis that suspending … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the conclusion and outlines its current policy regarding F-35 components, stating it has suspended export licenses that might be used by the IDF in Gaza, with an exception for parts for the global F-35 programme, but has suspended direct exports of F-35 parts for use by Israel.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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10 Recommendation Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Require Government to explain how F-35 component exports align with UK's international obligations.
The Government should set out how allowing indirect exports of F-35 components to the global supply pool, despite the clear risk of violations of International Humanitarian Law which has been identified, is consistent with the UK’s international obligations, given that … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the recommendation and explains its current policy and legal position, stating that it undertakes regular assessments for F-35 components to ensure consistency with international obligations, and has set out details of its actions in its Judicial Review Skeleton Argument.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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12 Recommendation Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Prepare comprehensive ban on import of goods from illegal Israeli West Bank settlements.
A different approach should be applied to the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; the Government should take immediate steps to prepare a comprehensive ban on the import of goods from the illegal settlements in the West … Read more
Government Response
The government notes its existing position that Israeli settlements are illegal and goods from them are not entitled to trade preferences. It advises businesses to seek legal advice and make informed choices, but does not commit to preparing a comprehensive ban on imports.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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16 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Initiate urgent preparations for long-term two-state resolution without waiting for ceasefire.
The UK needs to kickstart urgently the process of preparing the ground for negotiation of a long-term two-state resolution to the conflict, without waiting for a ceasefire. In doing this, it must act more boldly and bravely to leverage the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating the UK has played a full part in the Saudi-French Conference, announced its position on Palestinian state recognition, and is focused on intensive diplomacy for a Framework for Peace. These efforts complement existing processes to find common ground.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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17 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Invest in grassroots peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in Israel and Palestine.
The UK should invest in grassroots peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories through its diplomatic network and specialist Non-Governmental Organisations, building on our experience in Northern Ireland. The Committee welcomes the Prime Minister’s plans … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and is committed to convening an inaugural meeting for an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace, noting the timing must be sensitive. It also currently supports Palestinian civil society organisations.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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18 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Stress importance of women-led organisations in peace negotiations and peacebuilding structures.
The UK Government should stress the importance of the participation of women-led and women’s rights organisations in any peace negotiations and peacebuilding structures, and should lead by example by including such groups in all events in which it participates. (Recommendation, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, committed to women's meaningful participation in peacebuilding in line with its WPS National Action Plan. It is committed to ensuring full participation in Gaza's recovery and funds existing civil society programmes supporting women-led organisations.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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19 Recommendation Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Lobby determinedly against proposed anti-NGO legislation impacting Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilding organisations.
The Committee is very concerned about the impact of proposed anti-Non- Governmental Organisations legislation in the Knesset that would impose an 80% tax on foreign donations to Israeli and Palestinian Non-Governmental Organisations. Such a tax would be tantamount to blocking … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating it has raised strong concerns with the Government of Israel regarding the proposed anti-NGO legislation and continues to press them to change their approach.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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20 Recommendation Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Participate in multilateral peace process, supporting reconstruction and UN agencies in Gaza and West Bank.
A key component of the UK’s policy in support of a two-state solution must be participation in the reconstruction of Gaza and areas of the West Bank that have been rendered uninhabitable by military action. Institution building requires physical infrastructure … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating it has been working with partners on Gaza's future and reconstruction. It is exploring financing mechanisms, will co-chair a Wilton Park conference on private sector investment, and supports UN agencies' work on healthcare and education.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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25 Conclusion Accepted
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conf…
Prioritise civil and military support for Lebanon's stability, armed forces, and nation-building efforts.
The UK needs to continue its support for Lebanon, which is a vital component of stability in the Levant, situated as it is alongside Syria, with its fragile polity and its strong ties to Lebanon. The UK Government should prioritise … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the recommendation but stated that it already provides significant and long-standing civil and military support to Lebanon, including to the Lebanese Armed Forces and humanitarian assistance, confirming this support would continue.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 25 of 10 classified
Accepted 14
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 5
Rejected 2
Total 10 recs + 15 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
28 Oct 2025 Correspondence from the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Turkey relating to the recognition of Palestine, dated 15.10.25
Parliament page
22 Jul 2025 Correspondence from UNRWA regarding the situation in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, dated 17.07.25
Parliament page
14 Jan 2025 Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to hostages held by Hamas, dated 08/01/2025 and 13/12/2024
Parliament page
14 Jan 2025 Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, dated 08/01/2025 and 18/12/2024
Parliament page
14 Jan 2025 Correspondence from UNRWA relating to Israel-Palestine, dated 06/01/2025
Parliament page