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The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford

Speaking in the House of Lords on 19 March 2026

Debate

Refugee Movements: Lebanon

Contribution

I am grateful to the Minister for that response, and particularly for his call for de-escalation in the conflict. I imagine that many of us are shocked by the Israeli Defence Minister drawing parallels with Gaza, and I know that Lebanese officials have expressed concern. Indeed, I was present at a meeting recently where the Lebanese ambassador to this country spoke with great anxiety about Lebanon as the new Gaza. This outcome must be prevented at all costs, although the Lebanese people are of course already caught in the crossfire of hostilities, as the Minister has said. The UNHCR now says that, officially, over 800,000 people have registered as displaced. So I welcome the Government’s commitment to increased humanitarian aid and diplomatic steps to prevent further regional destabilisation, but how will they sustain support for countries in the region hosting refugees? What progress has been made on the establishment of safe and legal routes to enable asylum seekers to apply to travel safely to the UK?

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