Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
1st Report - Israel-Palestine conflict
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 488
Published 25 July 2025
Recommendations
2
Accepted
Redouble UK efforts for Gaza ceasefire, hostage release, and unrestricted aid access.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Accepted
Repeat call for immediate release of all hostages and support information collection.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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10
Accepted
Require Government to explain how F-35 component exports align with UK's international obligations.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Accepted
Prepare comprehensive ban on import of goods from illegal Israeli West Bank settlements.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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19
Accepted
Lobby determinedly against proposed anti-NGO legislation impacting Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilding organisations.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Accepted
Participate in multilateral peace process, supporting reconstruction and UN agencies in Gaza and West Bank.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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Conclusions (8)
5
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
6
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
8
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
9
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
16
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
17
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
18
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
25
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.