To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the International Court of Justice has ruled on the claim by Turkey that Israel’s partial blockade of Gaza constitutes illegal collective punishment; and if so, in what terms.
Answered on
22 October 2014
The International Court of Justice has not ruled on the legality of Israel’s restrictions around Gaza. The British Government continues to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians in Gaza, and that supporting legal trade for Gazans is firmly in Israel’s long-term interests. We have also encouraged the Egyptian authorities to ease the movement of bona fide travellers through Rafah, and to consider expanding Rafah to goods transit in the medium term, which will help to ease humanitarian pressures. Easing Israeli and Egyptian restrictions would also go some way to alleviate the shortage of medicines and medical supplies, which are much needed.