Extract from Women and
Equalities questions: Israeli Victims of Sexual Abuse by
Hamas
(West Bromwich East)
(Con)
3. What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on
support for Israeli victims of sexual abuse by Hamas. (902125)
The Minister for Women and Equalities ()
I thank my hon. Friend for her tireless campaigning on behalf of
Israeli victims of Hamas. This Government are appalled by reports
of sexual violence since 7 October in Israel and Gaza. I am
working closely with Cabinet colleagues on the issue. It is
important to continue to highlight the fact that many hostages,
both male and female, have still not been released, and they face
the daily threat of rape, sexual assault and violence. Across
Government, we have been meeting with their families. Just last
week I met with the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, and I
know that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have also
done so in recent months.
A United Nations report recently confirmed that sexual violence
was used against Israeli women on 7 October. Last week I raised
concerns with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
that women did not feel that they could trust the UN enough to
speak about their experiences. Victims of sexual violence deserve
a voice and to be treated with respect, so what can my right hon.
Friend do to encourage the international community to unite in
calling out sexual violence and those who seek to deny that it
happens?
I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the issue. She will be
pleased to know that just last week, following calls from the UK,
Lord Ahmad, the Minister in the other place, attended the UN
Security Council to express deep concerns about the findings of
the UN special representatives of the Secretary-General on their
recent visit to the region. The UK is leading work
internationally through our preventing sexual violence
initiative, and through dedicated funding, totalling £60 million,
to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and to strengthen
justice and support for all survivors.
Extracts from
PMQs
(Preston) (Lab/Co-op): The EU
High Representative for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, said on
Monday that Israel is provoking famine
in Gaza and using starvation as a weapon of war. President Biden
has said that there should be no attack on Rafah without a plan
to ensure the safety of the more than 1 million people living
there. Does the Prime Minister agree with High Representative
Borrell and President Biden? Because I do, and we need a
ceasefire. If he does agree, will he say so here in the Chamber
today?
The Prime Minister: As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have explained
to the Opposition repeatedly that the findings from the
Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative are
gravely concerning. It is clear that the status quo is
unsustainable, and we need urgent action now to avoid a famine.
The UK is doing all it can to get more aid in and prevent a
worsening crisis. Two thousand tonnes of UK-funded food aid,
including flour and hot meals, is being distributed by the World
Food Programme in Gaza today, as we speak, and it is enough to
feed more than 275,000 people. We will continue to do everything
we can to alleviate the suffering that people are experiencing.
(Hammersmith) (Lab): We know
the Prime Minister has received advice about the legality of the
Israel-Gaza war, that he has had time to consider it, and that
Governments can and do publish such advice. Will he tell the
House what steps he is taking to act on that advice in reviewing
UK arms sales, in supporting the proceedings of the International
Court of Justice and International Criminal Court, and in
exercising the UK’s vote at the UN Security Council?
The Prime Minister: We continue to call for Israel to
respect international humanitarian law and for civilians to be
protected. Too many civilians have been killed and we
want Israel to take greater
care to limit its operations to military targets. Those are
points that both I and the Foreign Secretary have made repeatedly
to Prime Minister Netanyahu. We have previously assessed
that Israel is committed and
capable of complying with international humanitarian law, and of
course we always keep that under review.
