Thank you to all of those who have contacted me recently about the recent violence in the West Bank, and access to healthcare for Palestinians.

I understand the concerns that you raise. I join the international community in condemning the recent violence in the West Bank and condemning the deaths of civilians. The cycle of violence must end, and we must not give up on the hope of a peaceful future for all Israelis and Palestinians.

As you will be aware, UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, helps ensure access to health services for Palestinians affected by closures and checkpoints in the West Bank and provides healthcare services to the vast majority of the over 1.2 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza. In Gaza, the health system has long been overburdened and suffers from a lack of reliable access to energy and clean water. I therefore share your disappointment that the UK Government has cut its funding to UNRWA over successive years, from around £70 million in 2018 to £18.7 million this financial year, with just £2 million allocated to Gaza.

While the Palestinian Authority is responsible for healthcare in the West Bank, under international humanitarian law, Israel has a duty to ensure and maintain public health and hygiene in the territories it occupies. The Israeli Government should do this with the co-operation of the local authorities.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in December 2022, 79% of West Bank patient permits were approved by Israeli authorities, compared with 80% of Gaza patient permits. These numbers are lower for companions. I know that organisations such as Medical Aid for Palestinians have raised the issue of access to healthcare for Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories, and the obstacles that they and their companions face when seeking to travel for treatment.

More widely, I believe the only way the humanitarian crises in the occupied Palestinian territories will be resolved is through a negotiated two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

Thank you once again to all those who have contacted me.