Tag: Baroness Tonge

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-04-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the air strike on Gaza on the night of 12 March on a house killing two children.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not raised this specific issue with the Government of Israel, although we remain deeply concerned by the terrible human cost, to both sides, of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We have consistently urged both sides to take all measures to prevent the loss of civilian life, and comply with international humanitarian law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-05-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the destruction by Israeli forces of the Bedouin village of Khirbet Taha in the northern West Bank district of Nablus.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, we continue to raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities over demolitions and the treatment of the Bedouin community. We have supported Bedouin communities in Area C facing demolition or eviction through our support to Rabbis for Human Rights and the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-05-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take, in the light of the recent deaths caused by the electricity crisis in Gaza, to (1) initiate discussions with other EU member states to end import restrictions, (2) assess the humanitarian situation first-hand, and (3) put forward a plan of action to rehouse citizens of Gaza who are forced to move owing to pollution.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We are concerned by the electricity shortage in Gaza and the serious impact it is having on the humanitarian situation. We, and the EU, regularly raise Gaza’s energy and the need to ease movement and access restrictions with the Israeli authorities. Our staff who visit and work in Gaza assess the humanitarian situation frequently. We have not put forward a plan rehouse citizens of Gaza who are forced to move owing to pollution.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-06-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the midwifery workforce to train that workforce to counsel and to insert intrauterine contraceptive devices immediately post-partum.

Lord Prior of Brampton

The insertion of contraceptive intrauterine devices (IUDs) during the post-partum period of between ten minutes and 48 hours following childbirth is not supported by the Royal College of Midwives. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines do not recommend the insertion of post-partum IUDs before four weeks following childbirth.

This Government supports the current practice of providing contraceptive information and advice in the antenatal period to support an informed decision by women. When the chosen contraceptive is an IUD, this is normally offered at the six weeks postnatal check-up by a doctor, if the woman has fully recovered from childbirth. In light of this, the Government has no plans to increase and train the midwifery workforce to undertake the insertion of post-partum IUDs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-07-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding reports of the confiscation and sinking of fishing boats by Israeli forces in the past three months.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Whilst we have not raised this specific issue with the Government of Israel, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have expressed our concern previously over the Israel Defence Forces’ use of live fire against fishermen and also about the confiscation of their boats.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-09-12.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding (1) night raids of Palestinian refugee camps in Area A of the West Bank, (2) the number of injuries to the youth in that camp as a result of those raids, and (3) reports that the Israeli commander responsible for the Dheisheh area threatened to disable the Palestinian youth living there.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not made specific representations to the Israeli authorities over these issues.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-10-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take following the interception of the Zaytouna-Oliva in international waters by Israel and its rerouting to the port of Ashdod.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have no plans to take any action over this issue. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to Gaza including the waters off Gaza. We also advise British Nationals against participating in flotillas or overland convoys to Gaza because of the risks involved.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-10-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning the repatriation of Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities on this specific issue, we continue to be clear with both sides that there must be a just, fair and agreed settlement for refugees as part of a negotiated two-state solution.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2015-11-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding the undercover raid by Israeli armed forces on a hospital in Hebron, resulting in the death of a relative of the suspect.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, we are clear that medical staff should have the protection that allows them to do their jobs in safety. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv met Physicians for Human Rights on 9 November to discuss trends in human rights violations against medical staff. Since the start of the current violence we have spoken regularly to both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority on the urgent need to de-escalate the tensions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to ensure that local authorities do not enter into contracts with companies that also work in countries that they believe are breaking, or have broken, international law and the Geneva Convention.

Lord Bridges of Headley

The new Public Contracts Regulations 2015 impose a legal obligation on public authorities when awarding contracts above certain thresholds to treat EU and GPA suppliers equally. Decisions on sanctions for breaking international law and the Geneva Convention are for the Government’s foreign policy, and it is inappropriate and illegal for local authorities in some cases to prejudice suppliers on the basis of their "beliefs". This policy has been in place for many years under successive governments.