Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support he has given to EU proposals to provide sea access to Gaza.

Alistair Burt, Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Holding answer received on 20 November 2017

There have been no formal proposals from the European Commission on this matter. The UK continues to urge Israel and Egypt to ease movement and access restrictions on Gaza, stressing the damage the restrictions are doing to the living standards of ordinary Gazans. The UK remains committed to supporting vulnerable Gazans, through funding for basic service delivery through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and private sector development programmes. We will continue to urge the parties to prioritise progress towards reaching a durable solution for Gaza and to take the necessary practical steps to ensure Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery.

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