With Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and the Prime Minister returning from diplomatic tours of the Middle East , Dr Neil Hudson MP took the opportunity to ask the Foreign Secretary in Parliament on the steps he is taking to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from spreading throughout the wider region.
This follows Hamas' heinous terrorist attacks against the people of Israel on 7th October wherein hundreds of innocent civilians were killed, injured or taken as hostages.
In reply to Dr Hudson the Foreign Secretary reiterated the Prime Minister's commitment to the UK’s intensive diplomatic efforts in preventing regional escalation, backing Israel’s security and supporting long-term solutions to the crisis in the Middle East. These remarks came during Foreign, Commonwealth and Defence Questions in the House of Commons.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"The world has watched on in horror at the unfolding crisis in the Middle East following Hamas' barbaric terrorist attacks on the people of Israel over a fortnight ago. It is incredibly reassuring the Government is prioritising de-escalation throughout the region and I pay tribute to the vital work that has been undertaken by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary as they return from meeting our allies across the Middle East.
"We stand resolutely in support of Israel and its right to self defence in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas and are sending support to those in need. Our Government is now at the vanguard of finding a long-term political solution to the conflict, and I pray for a speedy resolution to the bloodshed."
Dr Hudson's intervention comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a new aid package worth £20 million to provide food, water, healthcare and shelter for those affected by this severe humanitarian crisis.
This latest funding is in addition to the £10 million of aid announced by the Prime Minister last week and brings to £30 million the total donated by the UK to the OPTs since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October – more than doubling our existing aid commitment for this year (£27 million).
Full exchange in the Commons:
Dr Neil Hudson MP asked:
"I pay tribute to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and their teams for their important diplomatic efforts in the Middle East in recent days. The potential implications of the conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas are deeply concerning for the wider region. So can the Foreign Secretary update the House on the steps the Government are taking to prevent this conflict spreading to the wider region?"
Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, replied:
"In the conversations I've had with the Israeli Government in the immediate aftermath of the 7th October attacks, they expressed a desire for this to not turn into a regional conflict. That desire was echoed by all the leaders of the Arab world that I've spoken to. It remains an absolute priority for this Government and indeed the Governments of the region to prevent this turning into a regional conflict. That is exactly what Hamas wants, and their, therefore, is exactly what we do not want."
