EDM 563: The EU and the arms trade, human rights, and the Israel-Gaza conflict

That this House expresses grave concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis and violations of human rights in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories; reiterates the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international law and the principles of proportionality in the use of force; calls for the UK Government to work closely with European partners to push for a sustainable peace settlement based on a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine are recognised as independent, viable, and democratic states with secure borders based on pre-1967 lines; recognises the critical role of the European Union in fostering peace through diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian aid; urges the UK Government to adopt a policy of presumption of denial for arms exports to countries with poor human rights records, as identified in the FCDO’s Human Rights and Democracy Report; highlights the importance of ensuring that UK and EU arms exports do not contribute to violations of international law or exacerbate conflicts, including the Israel-Gaza conflict; and calls on the UK to prioritise collaboration with European allies to strengthen global accountability for human rights violations and uphold the values of liberalism, internationalism, and the rule of law.