Recommendations & Conclusions
25 items
1
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Acknowledged
The situation in Gaza and the West Bank is intolerable. Ministers and diplomats should exert every effort to reach an immediate end to the fighting, population displacement and restrictions on supplies of essentials. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) system has led to the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of civilians and …
Government response. The government agrees to redouble efforts for a ceasefire, outlining ongoing diplomatic work but not committing to specific new actions. The recommendation to replace the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system with a UN-led system is not explicitly addressed.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
2
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 US to put effective pressure on Israel and Hamas. At …
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 …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 and every effort should be made for the release of …
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 …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Acknowledged
The Government should agree and publish a definition of arbitrary detention. In response to this report, the Foreign Secretary must outline his plans and set a firm timeline to establish an Envoy for Arbitrary Detention, which he has already promised to this Committee. He should publish the objectives for the …
Government response. The government partially agrees, committing to establishing an Envoy for complex detention cases and stating they are working at pace on the appointment, but does not provide a firm timeline or objectives. It disagrees with agreeing and publishing a definition …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
5
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 conduct of the war. (Conclusion, Paragraph 32)
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
6
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 Hamas supporters, reporters from a wide range of reputable news …
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
7
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Deferred
The Committee agrees with the position taken by successive UK Governments, that the two-state solution is the only possible positive outcome in this conflict. The UK, along with France—the co-signatory of the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement—should now recognise the state of Palestine while there is still a state to recognise. An …
Government response. The government's response did not address the recommendation to recognise the state of Palestine, instead focusing on the UK's established position on Israeli settlements and related economic activities.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
8
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 proxies who are on record as wishing to destroy the …
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 …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
9
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 the licences would disrupt the global F-35 supply pool with …
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 …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
10
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 the existence of such “clear risk” is one of its …
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 …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
11
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Deferred
The Government has halted trade talks with Israel and further progress on the 2030 Roadmap and we expect that to continue until an internationally- recognised peace settlement has been agreed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 64)
Government response. The government notes the conclusion and states its clear position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, and goods from them are not entitled to trade preferences. It advises against economic involvement in settlements, but does not explicitly confirm …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
12
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 Bank, with reference to the UN database of businesses substantially …
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 …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
13
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Deferred
The Committee welcomes the sanctions that the Government has imposed on illegal outposts and violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Until these settlements are curtailed and the violence ends, these sanctions should be sustained and extended to all businesses operating in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Committee …
Government response. The government's response for this recommendation (Paragraph 77, concerning sanctions and the ICJ Advisory Opinion) instead addresses a different recommendation (Paragraph 84) regarding encouraging other countries to normalise relations for a two-state solution.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
14
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Acknowledged
While the UK is no longer a dominant power in the Middle East, it does enjoy the respect of most countries in the region. Consequently, it is well placed to deploy its convening power to bring together conflicting and diverse parties. The involvement of states in the region that have …
Government response. The government agrees, supporting regional normalisation and encouraging countries with normalised relations to participate in peace efforts. It states the UK supports broader efforts towards a two-state solution.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
15
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Acknowledged
The Government should encourage other countries to normalise relations in order to participate in a peace process for a two-state solution. (Recommendation, Paragraph 84)
Government response. The government agrees, supporting normalisation and encouraging countries with normalised relations to participate in peace efforts. It states the UK supports broader efforts towards a two-state solution.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
16
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 UK’s long history of involvement with and understanding of the …
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 …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
17
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 for a proposed International Fund for Israeli- Palestinian Peace and …
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
18
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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, Paragraph 97)
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
19
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 these Non- Governmental Organisations from carrying out grassroots peacebuilding 54 …
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
20
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 as well as investment in human capital, especially education and …
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
21
Recommendation
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Deferred
As institution-building is an area where the UK has expertise, the Government should support the Palestinian Authority to build its capacity, which would be in the best interests of both the Palestinian people and foreign donors. (Recommendation, Paragraph 107)
Government response. The government's response for this recommendation (Paragraph 107, concerning capacity building for the Palestinian Authority) instead addresses a different recommendation (Paragraph 123) regarding support for evidence collection for international criminal courts in Gaza.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
22
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Deferred
This Committee did not inquire directly into the role of UNRWA, and as such does not make any conclusions here. (Conclusion, Paragraph 114)
Government response. The government partially agrees (with an unstated recommendation), discusses its consistent call for compliance with international law and accountability, and its support for UNRWA at the ICJ. It then states a particular model for atrocity investigations would not work in …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
23
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Rejected
Accountability through international criminal courts will be fundamental to peacebuilding and the future after this conflict has ended. The courts must be involved in information gathering so that, whenever this conflict ends, decisions can be made. (Conclusion, Paragraph 122)
Government response. The government partially agrees on the importance of accountability through international courts, noting its past actions like participating in the ICJ and calling for independent investigations. However, it rejects applying the Ukraine atrocity crimes advisory model to Gaza due to …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
24
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Rejected
In April 2025, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee visited Ukraine, where they saw the work of the Global Rights Alliance collecting evidence of acts during the conflict for potential future legal processes. This is supported by the UK Government and is a commendable project. The UK Government should offer …
Government response. The government partially agreed but rejected the recommendation to set up a similar evidence-gathering project in Gaza, stating the model used in Ukraine would not work due to the lack of a state partner or structures on the ground and …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
25
Conclusion
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Accepted
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 spending on both civil and military support for Lebanon’s 55 …
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