Battle presses PM on Palestinian suffering

John Battle, MP for Leeds West, asked Prime Minister Gordon Brown the following question at Prime Minister’s Question Time:

John Battle (Leeds West, Labour): In recent months, our International Development Committee has been highlighting the increasing impoverishment of the Palestinian people. In welcoming the announcement of the Hamas ceasefire from tomorrow, will my right hon. Friend urge the Israeli Government now to stop the damaging and punishing blockade, so that ordinary Palestinians suffer no longer?

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister; Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath, Labour): The whole House will be pleased to have heard of the ceasefire that has been announced between Hamas and Israel—thanks to the work of the Egyptians, whom I praise. I hope that it will bring greater peace to Gaza. It is important that the message also goes out that Hamas must stop the rocket attacks that have been doing so much damage to civilians in Israel. It is also important that, as the President of the United States said only two days ago, the Israelis stop the settlement programme that is causing so much distress among the Palestinians. I believe that President Bush sent a very important message this week that he will put the weight of the American Government behind a settlement in the middle east. That is the way in which I believe we can get an end to the poverty, unemployment and distress that is causing so much damage in Gaza and the west bank. Britain is ready, along with other countries, with an economic plan to underpin a peace settlement, but that peace settlement must be based on a security agreement, which only the Palestinians and the Israelis should sign. I hope that it moves forward quickly.

Watch the exchange here