Chipping Barnet MP, Theresa Villiers, today asked the Prime Minister to use international forums to speak out on the issue of Hamas sexual violence. The exchange took place at Parliament’s weekly session of Prime Minister’s Questions.
Ms Villiers, a strong supporter of Israel and the Jewish community, emphasised how crucial it is that the international community demand immediate humanitarian access to the hostages in Gaza.
Speaking after PMQs, she said “International bodies like the UN have been far too slow to acknowledge this horrific aspect of the Hamas terror attack on 7th October. The evidence is mounting that appalling acts of rape and sexual violence were perpetrated by Hamas.”
“Now the fear is that this abuse is being inflicted on women held hostage in Gaza,” she continued. “That is a further urgent reason why the UK Government must do all it can, with international partners, to secure release of the hostages.”
Hansard has published the following report of the question and Prime Minister Sunak’s response:
Theresa Villiers MP: Given the appalling reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October and the risk that hostages could have that treatment inflicted on them as well, will the Prime Minister raise this issue in international forums so that the international community demands, strongly, humanitarian access to hostages in Gaza?
Prime Minister: The reports of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas are deeply shocking. We have raised our concerns with the United Nations a fortnight or so ago, and we are engaging with the Israeli Government to consider what further support we can provide. More broadly, we continue to do everything we can to ensure that all hostages can return safely to their families, including the British hostages and those with links to the UK. My right hon. Friend can rest assured that the Foreign Secretary and I are working tirelessly to bring about their safe return.
This is the second time Theresa Villiers has raised this in Parliament. Last week she asked Penny Mordaunt MP, Leader of the House of Commons, for the Government to set out a plan to raise this issue in the UN. This is the Hansard report:
Theresa Villiers MP: The headline of Christina Lamb’s article in The Sunday Times at the weekend was “First Hamas fighters raped her. Then they shot her in the head”. In the light of the profoundly disturbing revelations in that article about sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October, may we have a ministerial statement so that the Government can set out the action they will take to raise this issue in international fora such as the UN, some of which have been far too slow to recognise and condemn that aspect of the Hamas atrocity?
Penny Mordaunt MP: I thank my right hon. Friend for allowing us to state on the record the appalling atrocities that many women—many of whom did not survive those attacks—had to endure at the hands of Hamas, including rape, but also the most horrific torture and mutilation. I think we are all very disappointed that organisations to which we look to show leadership on these matters were not swifter and more robust in their condemnation of those appalling atrocities and acts.
We spend a great deal of time thinking about our own aid allocation in this respect, and fund many schemes around the world that have had huge success in reducing violence against women and girls. I will ensure that the Minister with that responsibility in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has heard what my right hon. Friend has said, and we will reflect on what more we can do and what more we can say we expect from the organisations that we work with on these matters around the world.
Digital imprint: Promoted by Theresa Villiers of 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU
