Updates on the Middle East

Stephen protests Israeli parliament’s ban of UNRWA

Today, Stephen wrote to the Israeli Ambassador to protest the Knesset’s plan to ban UNRWA from operating…

Stephen urges restraint during Lebanon crisis

Stephen has outlined his concerns about the rising tensions and civilian casualties in Lebanon.

Stephen signs letter about arms exports to Israel

Stephen has signed a letter authored by Labour MP, Zarah Sultana, to the Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, to…

Stephen asks Prime Minister to re-double ceasefire efforts

Stephen has written to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, about the “unbearable” situation in Gaza. He...

Stephen urges the Government to resume funding UNRWA

Last week in Parliament, Stephen urged the Government to resume funding UNRWA while investigations into…

Foreign Secretary suggests recognition of Palestine is close

Stephen has welcomed comments by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, that the UK is ready to formally…

Stephen asks about international support for strikes on the Houthis

Stephen asked the Prime Minister whether countries besides the USA were involved in strikes against the Houthis…

Stephen raises concerns about Palestinian schoolchildren

Stephen has urged Ministers to take action to prevent the damage of educational buildings in Gaza…

BBC apologises for coverage of conflict in Gaza

Stephen has welcomed an apology from the BBC about some of its coverage of the conflict in Gaza…

Stephen asks about plans for a two-state solution

Yesterday, 8 January, Stephen raised concerns with the Israeli Defence Minister’s proposals for governing Ga…

Stephen raises the plight of children in Gaza

Stephen has asked the Minister for International Development what the government is doing about the…

Stephen writes to incoming Foreign Secretary

Stephen has written to the new Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, asking whether his appointment would…

Stephen challenges Suella Braverman’s comments

On 30 October, the Home Secretary called Palestine protests “hate marches”. Yesterday, Stephen…

Stephen writes to Egyptian Ambassador about Rafah Crossing

Stephen has written to Ambassador Nasser Kamel, the Egyptian Ambassador to the UK…

Stephen writes to Prime Minister about events in Gaza

Stephen has written to the Prime Minister setting out further measures which the government…

Stephen comments on demolition of West Bank village of Al-Wallajah

Stephen has outlined his concerns about the case of the case of Mahmoud Mahmoud Maher Abu…

Stephen writes to Israeli Ambassador urging ceasefire

Stephen has written the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, asking what Israel is doing to ensure…

Government replies to Stephen’s letter about exports and the ICJ

On 25 September, Stephen wrote to the Government to hilight a report showing 41,000 people have been killed in…

Stephen criticises Ministers for lack of contact about arms exports

Stephen has cast doubt on the government’s desire to ban arms exports to Israel after he received…

Stephen seeks reinstatement of funding for UNRWA

Stephen has written to both the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, and Israel’s Ambassador to the UK, Mrs Tzipi…

Stephen seeks publication of legal advice

Stephen has asked the Attorney General, Victoria Prentis, to publish the legal advice it has received relating…

Stephen urges Prime Minister to act over Rafah

Stephen has written to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, asking him to contact his Israeli counterpart…

Stephen asks Foreign Secretary about Nobel Peace Prize nomination

Stephen has tabled a Parliamentary Question asking whether Ministers plan to support the nomination of…

Stephen supports International Criminal Court investigation

Stephen has expressed his desire for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate events in Israel and…

Stephen receives reply following letter to the new Foreign Secretary

Stephen has received a response from Lord Ahmad, to a letter he sent David Cameron following his appointment…

Stephen writes again to Prime Minister about ceasefire

Stephen has written to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, seeking clarification as to why the UK…

Stephen demands apology from Home Secretary

Stephen has written to the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, condemning her comments that…

Stephen calls on constituents to contribute to Committee inquiry

Stephen is asking East Ham residents to contribute to an inquiry being undertaken by the Foreign Affairs…

Stephen receives reply from Foreign Office to letter about Gaza

Stephen has received a reply from the Minister of State at the Foreign Office following his letter to the Foreign…

Stephen comments on recent violence in Gaza

Stephen has response to the to the unfolding events that continue to transpire in Israel and Palestine…

Stephen writes to Business Secretary about JCB

Stephen has asked the Business Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, whether the government will consider bringing…

Stephen to attend Friends of Al-Aqsa briefing

Stephen has committed to attending a briefing being hosted by the Friends of Al-Aqsa in Parliament next…

Israeli human rights lawyer calls on UK to ensure Israel acts within International Law

This morning, Michael Sfard, a leading Israeli human rights lawyer, briefed…

Stephen welcomes bans on arms exports to Israel

On 2 September, the Foreign Secretary announced that the new Government would suspend 30 export licenses…

Stephen pleased that the UK has re-instated funding for UNRWA

Last Friday, 19 July, the Foreign Secretary announced that the UK would restart its funding for UNRWA…

Stephen calls for creation of Palestinian family visa scheme

Stephen has attended a debate in the House of Commons which called for the creation of a Gaza Family Scheme…

Stephen pushes Trade Secretary to halt arms exports to Israel

Stephen has written to the Interational Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, outlining his concerns about arms…

Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary following ICJ ruling

Stephen has written to Lord Cameron after the International Court of Justice ruled that there was plausible…

Stephen asks about the prospect of a permanent ceasefire

Stephen has asked Ministers to consider supporting an extension to the current humanitarian pause in Gaza…

Stephen asks about the rules governing arms sales to Israel

Yesterday, 12 December, MPs debated whether it is right to grant export licenses for arms sales to Israel….

Stephen relays concerns about IDF “targetting”

Stephen has written to the Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, querying the practise of “targetting”.

Son of Israelis killed on 7 October speaks to MPs about peace

Magen Inon, whose parents died when a shoulder rocket hit their home, spoke of his desire for peace and reconciliation…

Stephen receives reply to letter to the Prime Minister

Stephen has received a letter from the Minister of State at the Foreign Office, Lord Ahmed, following…

Stephen signs Early Day Motion 1685

Stephen has signed an Early Day Motion which calls on a ceasefire and an end to the seige of Gaza…

Stephen seeks clarification on Prime Minister’s comments about Israel

Stephen has tabled a Parliamentary Question asking the Prime Minister to build on comments he made earlier…

Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary following escalation of violence

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, outlining his concerns that Israel was planning…

Stephen calls on new arms export regime

Stephen has lent his support to campaign establish a new arms export regime. This could see a change in…

Stephen asks about humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza

On Monday, the Prime Minister delivered a statement to the House of Commons about Israel and Gaza…

Stephen asks the Prime Minister about Palestinian Statehood

During a Statement in the House of Commons, Stephen asked the Prime Minister about the role of illegal Israeli…