DEPUTY Prime Minister Angela Rayner has refused to say if Israel is causing “mass displacement” in Palestine despite a key report stating this just days ago.
Last week, a report from Human Rights Watch said Israeli authorities have caused the massive, deliberate forced displacement of Palestinian civilians in Gaza since October 2023 and accused them of “crimes against humanity”.
The 154-page report, “‘Hopeless, Starving, and Besieged’: Israel’s Forced Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza,” examined how Israeli authorities’ conduct has led to the displacement of over 90% of the population of Gaza — 1.9 million Palestinians — and the widespread destruction of much of Gaza over the last 13 months.
Rayner, who was standing in for Prime Minister Keir Starmer at PMQs while he attends the G20 summit in Brazil, was asked by Labour MP Andy McDonald if the Government would acknowledge Israel had carried out mass forced displacement in Gaza on the back of the report and take “concrete measures” on arms and trade to prevent genocide and protect Palestinians.
Rayner did not answer the question directly, pointing to a decision made in September to suspend just 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel.
She said: “The situation in the Middle East is catastrophic and I know the whole house is horrified at the terrible loss of civilian life.
“We are calling at every opportunity for an immediate ceasefire with the release of the hostages and more aid into Gaza, but we do urge Israel to ensure UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Work Agency] can continue its life-saving work, something the Foreign Secretary has discussed directly with the Israeli foreign minister.
“We have imposed sanctions in response to appalling incidents of settler violence and suspended export licences for arms following a review that found a clear risk they may be used to commit or facilitate violations of international law.
“We will continue to seek a two-state solution with a secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestine.”
Israel’s parliament voted last month to ban UNRWA from operating within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
Contact between UNRWA employees and Israeli officials has been banned, crippling its ability to operate in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Rayner’s response comes after Keir Starmer refused to acknowledge a genocide was taking place in Gaza at PMQs last week.
He has been asked by the Independent Alliance of MPs – which includes former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – to reveal any legal advice he has been given on the definition of genocide.
Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, Palestinian health officials have said.
The officials do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of those killed were women and children.
