The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports greater dialogue between Sunni and Shia Muslims among all faith groups in the Middle East and North Africa region to build bridges, talk, listen and learn from each other. At the 27 March UN Security Council debate on the persecution of minorities in the Middle East, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), called for bold leadership from governments and communities in the region to continue working for tolerance and reconciliation. Where the British Government is best placed to act, and has the means to do so, we will. For example, in Syria a number of Government-funded projects have brought together religious leaders from all denominations (including Alawi, Christians, Kurds, Druze and Sunnis) to foster greater understanding between faiths and support reconciliation.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-22T11:26:15.413Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what proposals they have for addressing interfaith conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims in the Middle East.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4289", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Manzoor"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Manzoor"} ], "uin" : "HL434"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/350121", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/350121/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Spending on projects to bring together interfaith communities is dispersed across Government and is a mainstream part of other Government activity. Disaggregating this spending would incur disproportional cost.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-22T11:26:43.063Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government how much money has been invested in soft power in conflict zones in the Middle East in order to bring interfaith communities together.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4289", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Manzoor"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Manzoor"} ], "uin" : "HL435"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228378", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/228378/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have no plans to alert Gazan citizens of the need to vacate areas where Hamas are rebuilding tunnels. It would be the role of the de facto government in Gaza or the Government of Israel to give a warning if the civilian population were under threat from any military action. International Humanitarian Law requires warring parties to give \u2018effective advance warning\u2019 of attacks that may affect civilian populations.<\/p>
We stress the importance of protecting the civilian population in accordance with international law with the Government of Israel and we have asked all those with influence to stress the same point to Hamas.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-24T13:52:52.497Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 13 March (HL5374), what steps they are taking to alert Gazan citizens of the need to vacate the area where Hamas are rebuilding tunnels close to the border with Israel.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2537", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Turnberg"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Turnberg"} ], "uin" : "HL5848"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227449", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227449/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "We are aware of the UN Mine Action Service\u2019s reporting that since the ceasefire on 26 August 2014, 46 people have been reported injured and 10 killed as a consequence of explosive remnants of war (ERW). The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a crucial service provider to the Gazan population. More than 1,000 UNRWA teachers across the Gaza Strip have been trained to educate students about the dangers of ERW. While we have not raised this issue with the Israeli authorities, it is important to note that UK support is helping UNRWA to conduct its work on ERW. The UK is the third biggest donor to UNRWA\u2019s General Fund, contributing £107 million between 2011 and 2015."} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-24T13:59:24.303Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what representations they have has made to the government of Israel concerning deaths and injuries in Gaza since August 2014 from explosive remnants of war (ERW); and what plans the international community has to deal with ERW.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Tonge"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Tonge"} ], "uin" : "HL5770"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227450", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227450/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We regularly raise the issue of excessive use of force with the Israeli government and security figures. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised his concern over the high number of Palestinian civilian fatalities, including of children, with the Israeli Attorney General (AG) on 19 January. He said the UK wanted to see rigorous investigations into these incidents. Israeli authorities have told us that self-defence and a more challenging security environment were part of the explanation for the increase in fatalities. A number of investigations are pending. We are aware of one case - the Betunia case in which two Palestinian teenagers were shot on 15 May \u2013 in which the AG\u2019s investigation had led to the prosecution of those responsible. We continue to monitor developments in this and other cases.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-24T13:55:28.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what discussions they have held with the government of Israel concerning the Palestinian children killed by live ammunition in 2014; and how many of the soldiers responsible have been charged.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Tonge"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Tonge"} ], "uin" : "HL5771"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227451", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/227451/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "We are aware of the Israeli Peace Initiative and support the idea of a greater role for regional players in a renewed peace process. We welcome the important role civil society has in generating ideas for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-24T13:55:01.237Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the Israeli Peace Initiative; and what action, if any, they will take to promote it.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Tonge"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Tonge"} ], "uin" : "HL5772"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226824", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226824/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
At the meeting of the UN Security Council on 27 March, we will call for renewed efforts to tackle the systematic and deliberate attacks against religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East and North Africa, including Christians. We deplore all discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities and constraints on their freedom to practise their faith. We regularly urge all governments in the region to ensure the protection of all religious minorities. We encourage them to develop inclusive political systems that represent all of their citizens. We also work proactively in the region to promote community cohesion and inclusive governance.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have been responsible for many recent atrocities committed against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria. We condemn these appalling acts and are committed to defeating ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained international strategy as part of the efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. The humanitarian aid provided by the UK will have helped many victims of ISIL\u2019s atrocities, including the protection of vulnerable groups. The UK co-sponsored the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council on 1 September which highlights ISIL\u2019s abhorrent actions and commits to a team of experts going to Iraq to investigate these atrocities. The findings of this investigation are due to be discussed later this month. In both Iraq and Syria we will continue to look at every available option to ensure accountability, and to work with our international partners on what can be done to both assist the victims and survivors and to bring those responsible to justice.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-18T16:02:04.79Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what proposals concerning persecution and atrocities against Christians in the Middle East they intend to lay before the United Nations Security Council at its meeting on 27 March.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"} ], "uin" : "HL5619"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226451", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/226451/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities over this issue. We do understand, however, that the Operations Commander in the Central Command of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has ordered a halt to the use of dogs in arrest missions until the procedure is reviewed. The IDF is investigating an incident in which IDF soldiers used dogs to stop Palestinians accused of stone-throwing near Hebron. An IDF official said the soldiers\u2019 behaviour was improper, and would be met with disciplinary measures.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-18T15:59:14.2Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning its reported policy of setting dogs on civilians.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Tonge"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Tonge"} ], "uin" : "HL5573"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/225723", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/225723/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
While officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have not raised this particular case with the Israeli authorities, they have voiced concern over the Israel Defence Force\u2019s use of live fire against fishermen.<\/p>
The fishing limit remains at six nautical miles.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-18T15:54:10.617Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the reported shooting of a fisherman off the coast of Gaza on 7 March and about their reported reduction of the fishing limit to four miles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Tonge"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Tonge"} ], "uin" : "HL5495"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/225726", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/225726/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have not made any assessment of the environmental consequences of the agreement between Israel and Jordan to pipe water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, other than that this project has the potential to curb the loss of the Dead Sea.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-18T15:58:00.7Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-03-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Middle East"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the environmental consequences of the agreement between Israel and Jordan to pipe water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Tonge"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Tonge"} ], "uin" : "HL5498"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign+and+Commonwealth+Office&_page=1&answer.answeringMemberPrinted=Baroness+Anelay+of+St+Johns&hansardHeading=Middle+East", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 72, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }