B

Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 18 September 2025

Debate

Gaza: UN Commission of Inquiry Report

Contribution

The noble Baroness needs to read the letter in full. The letter was in response to an inquiry by the IDC, I think, on the issue of F35s. It is not for this Government to determine genocide. We have never determined genocide. There is one occasion when we have determined genocide, and that was the Holocaust, and that happened before there was a court that had the competency to do so. We have never done it since. It is right that we do not, and I think it would be a very dangerous move for national Governments, politicians or campaign groups to be able to decide what constitutes genocide and what does not. Determining genocide is not the main question that ought to be concerning us about what is happening in Gaza. What is happening in Gaza is costing the lives of thousands of people. There is famine. It is preventable. What should be at the forefront of all of our minds is not arguing about the determination and use of one word. It is about getting those children fed and getting the medical attention to those who desperately need it.

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