Paul Waugh MP
House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Our ref:
MC2026/10262
Your ref:
PW10764
13 May 2026

Dear Paul,
Thank you for your correspondence of 21 April, on behalf of the Rochdale Council of Mosques, about Israel and Palestine.
We share your concerns regarding access to Jerusalem’s holy sites. The city holds deep religious significance for many groups around the world, including the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and we hope worshippers can return safely when conditions allow.

It is extremely worrying that during the recent conflict debris fell on the Old City of Jerusalem including in extremely close proximity to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. The security situation was alarming. Nevertheless, so were the restrictions on worship. The government of Israel must work with religious communities to facilitate worship in Jerusalem in line with the status quo. The right to worship is a fundamental freedom and one the UK firmly supports.
The status of Jerusalem and the rights of all who worship there is integral to preserving the viability of a two-state solution. This is why our longstanding position has been for Jerusalem to be the shared capital of two states; a stance we remain committed to upholding.

We continue to work closely with international partners to sustain momentum on the 20 Point Peace Plan. Our efforts are focussed on addressing the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza; working to increase aid delivery, and eliminating the threat from Hamas to help deliver long-term peace for Israelis and Palestinians. We will support the delivery of these measures together with the international community, in accordance with international law, with respect for Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination, and in support of a two-state solution with security and peace for both Israel and Palestine. We want to see much faster progress to address the dire conditions for civilians on the ground.

Since coming to office, this Government has imposed three rounds of sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and sanctioned members of the Israeli cabinet for inciting violence, stopped exports to the Israel Defence Forces that might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza, and suspended negotiations with Israel on a new Free Trade Agreement. A year ago, we signed a landmark agreement with the Palestinian Authority and committed to support their ambitious reform agenda, and in September 2025 we took the historic decision to recognise the State of Palestine, a vital step to support and protect the viability of a two-state solution.

We have also led international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis. We have provided nearly £250 million in development assistance over the past two years, protected future funding to Palestine, and restored funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency after it was suspended by the previous Government. We have also evacuated groups of sick and injured children to the UK, as well as Gazan students pursuing their studies in the UK. The UK has also coordinated a series of joint statements with over 30 international partners pushing for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis. I co‑hosted a Wilton Park summit with regional and international partners on mobilising private finance for Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery. In addition, the UK will support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine.

We will continue to do all that we can to work for a better future and to secure lasting peace and security in the region, both for the people of Israel and the people of Palestine.

Yours ever,
HAMISH FALCONER MP
Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan