Israel: Palestinians
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of sexual and gender-based violence being committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian women.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians and the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women, children and vulnerable populations. The UK unequivocally condemns any alleged violations and abuses, including sexual violence, and calls for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. In March, the UK led calls for a UN Security Council emergency debate on sexual violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Lord Collins, who was appointed as the Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) on 15 November, attended the Conference of the International Alliance on PSVI in Colombia on 25-26 November and made a clear recommitment to the UK's support of PSVI. Following our decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel on 2 September, the Foreign Secretary has raised and continues to raise our concerns around International Humanitarian Law compliance with the Israeli government.
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