Trade with Companies based
in
Occupied Palestinian
Territories
Dr. Mozammel Haque
I was on the South East Gallery of the House of Lords on
Monday, the 17th of December 2018 as guest of Lord Nazir Ahmed of
Rotherham and listened to the two issues, one question was asked by Lord Ahmed
on Rohingya refugees and another question was asked by Baroness Tonge on the
businesses in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Followings are the question
and reply on Trade with Companies based in Occupied Palestinian Territories at
the House of Lords chamber on 17 December, 2018.
Trade with businesses based in Israeli settlements
In the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Baroness Tonge (Non-Afl) asked Her Majesty’s Government
what guidance they provide to United Kingdom companies who wish to trade with
companies based in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Baroness Manzoor (Conservative) replied, “My Lords, a
company’s decision to trade with businesses based in Israeli settlements is
primarily commercial. When considering activities in the region, the Government
urge British businesses to consider the illegal nature of Israeli settlements
under international law. We also encourage British businesses to take account
of our Overseas Business Risk online guidance, which provides comprehensive
information on the security and political risks of trading in the region.”
Settlements are illegal under
international law,
present an obstacle to peace
and threaten
the physical viability of
two-state solution
Baroness Tonge (Non-Afl) asked again, “I thank the Minister
for that reply and for talking about international law. Is she aware that I
table Questions every week concerning the actions of the Israeli Government in
Palestine, putting on record the relentless expansion of those settlements and
the appalling behaviour of the settlers, including the demolition of
Palestinian property, the destruction of their farmland, the denial of their
fishing rights and the theft of their water? Does she realise that I have asked
Questions about the imprisonment of Palestinian children and the maiming and
killing of others? This is not to forget the blockade of Gaza, which the United
Nations has said will be uninhabitable by 2020. Does she agree that these are
all examples of Israel breaking international law, human rights law and the
Fourth Geneva Convention? The Government have admitted this in the Answers that
I receive, which I have here. When will our Government stop talking and writing
Answers to Questions and take action to stop Israel’s illegal activities, as
they do when other countries misbehave? Do we have to wait another 70 years?”
Baroness Manzoor (Conservative) replied, “My Lords, I am
aware of the noble Baroness’s interest in this area and of the many Written
Questions that she has laid down. To restate what has been outlined on numerous
occasions, the UK’s position on the settlements is clear. They are illegal
under international law, present an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical
viability of the two-state solution. That is why we supported UN Security
Council Resolution 2334, regularly raise our grave concerns on this issue with
the Government of Israel and urge them to reverse their policy on settlement
expansion.
It is up to British retailers who stock
settlement produce to adopt
voluntarily
labelling policy recommended by
Defra
Baroness Redfern (Conservative) joined in the debate and
said, “My Lords, while consumers undoubtedly have the right to know the origin
of the goods they buy, does the Minister agree that it sets a dangerous
precedent to encourage consumers to determine their purchases on the ethnicity
or nationality of the producer?”
Baroness Manzoor (Conservative) replied, “I thank my noble
friend for that question. We understand the concerns of people who do not wish
to purchase goods exported from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. We also welcome the European Commission’s decision in November
2015 to issue indication of origin guidelines for products produced in the
Israeli settlements. It is up to British retailers who stock settlement produce
to voluntarily adopt the labelling policy recommended by Defra.”
BDS movement damages Palestinians
much more than it does Israel?
Lord Turnberg (Labour) joined in the debate and asked, “Is
the Minister aware that some 50,000 Palestinians work for Israeli companies in
the West Bank and that Israeli trade unions ensure that the Palestinians are
paid at exactly the same rate as the Israelis for the same jobs and receive the
same benefits? I can do no better than quote Nabil Basherat, a Palestinian who
said: “The BDS movement has threatened my job security and livelihood … and
damaged the livelihoods of hundreds … of factory workers”.
“Does the Minister agree that the BDS movement damages
Palestinians much more than it does Israel?”
Baroness Manzoor (Conservative) replied, “My Lords, I agree
that boycotts of any kind are damaging for both Palestinians and Israelis. The
UK strongly opposes boycotts of Israel, which divide people and reduce
understanding, but, as I said, that is why the UK, along with many businesses
and institutions, operates a policy of differentiation in relation to Israeli
borders. It is quite right that we take the stance that there are no boycotts
in these areas because they damage the economy for both sides.”
Lord Pickles from the Conservative stood up and also Baroness
Sheehan from the Liberal Democrats stood up and then
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe) from
the Conservative said: “My Lords, it is the turn of the Liberal Democrats.”
Use of JCB bulldozers in the flattening
of Palestinian homes and
schools?
Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrats) joined in the debate
and asked, “Does the Minister agree that British companies must ensure that
none of their products is used in the demolition of Palestinian homes and
properties in the Occupied Territories? In her response, will she address in
particular the use of JCB bulldozers in the flattening of Palestinian homes and
schools?”
Baroness Manzoor (Conservative) replied, “I have already
made known our stance on the boycotting of goods. The UK Government have had
discussions with JCB on a range of subjects. Where a company decides to trade
is ultimately a decision for each company to reach, taking account of the legal
and regulatory environment as well as international human rights law. The
British Government will continue to encourage and foster respect for human
rights among UK businesses.”
Give people a chance to get out of
the hands of the men of blood
Lord Pickles (Conservative) joined in the debate and asked,
“My Lords, surely the point made by the noble Lord opposite is pursuant:
unemployment and poverty further extremism. Surely it makes sense to spread
prosperity given that 10% of the working population in the West Bank is
employed within these settlements. Given that the Oslo accords envisage land
swaps, surely it makes sense for peace to spread prosperity and give people a
chance to get out of the hands of the men of blood.”
Baroness Manzoor said, “I entirely
agree with my noble friend.”
To ensure two communities working together
And we end up with a two-state
solution?
Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour) joined in the debate and
asked, “My Lords, the opportunity is there. If you had listened to the radio
this morning, you would have heard young Palestinians and Israelis desiring the
same thing: the opportunity to prosper and use their skills. What are the
Government doing to ensure we have two communities working together and that we
end up with a two-state solution, in which both communities can prosper?”
Baroness Manzoor (Conservative) replied, “As the noble Lord
is aware, the UK Government support a two-state solution. As I have said, the
UK is a close friend of Israel and we enjoy excellent bilateral relationships.
The British Government helped to establish the UK Israel Tech Hub, a non-profit
organisation based in Tel Aviv and London, to help British companies looking
for cutting-edge innovation and Israeli start-ups seeking to go through the UK.
This kind of innovation is important to help individuals living in both Israel
and Palestine, and to ensure we have good economic prosperity in the region.”
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