British MPs will convene on Monday, 16 December, to debate two significant petitions concerning Israel and Palestine, reflecting mounting public pressure for changes in UK foreign policy. The debate will be opened by Roz Savage MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, and will be attended by MPs from across the political spectrum, with a Government minister also present to respond.
The first petition calls for the immediate recognition of the state of Palestine, amassing over 283,000 signatures. Advocates argue that without formal recognition, the UK’s support for a two-state solution lacks credibility. The Government’s response, issued on 27 February 2024, stated: “We must give Palestinians a credible political pathway and irreversible momentum towards the establishment of Palestine. We will recognise a Palestinian State when most conducive to the peace process.”
The second petition, signed by more than 107,000 people, demands the immediate revocation of all UK arms export licences to Israel. Supporters claim that British arms exports facilitate alleged war crimes committed by Israel. In its reply on 5 March 2024, the Government asserted: “HM Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and rigorously assesses every application on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.”
Dr. Iain Overton, Executive Director of Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), commented on the upcoming debate, stating: “The volume of public support for these petitions underscores a growing demand for the UK Government to be more transparent and accountable in its dealings with Israel in regard to the continued bombardment of Palestine. This debate provides a vital opportunity for Parliament to reflect on its role in shaping peace and justice in the region.”
Petition debates do not culminate in a formal vote on the petitions’ demands but offer MPs a platform to scrutinise Government policy and prompt ministerial responses. Such debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee, which only considers e-petitions launched on the UK Parliament’s official petition site.
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