HC Deb 14 June 1982 vol 25 c617 3.50 pm
Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the present Israeli actions as a threat to world peace and prosperity". We have had five debates on the Falkland Islands and few hon. Members would complain about that. There are two main reasons why the task force was despatched and why we are now facing battle. The first is self-determination for 1,800 Falkland Islanders. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister herself has said, that argument applies equally to the 4¼ million Palestinians. The second is the principle that aggression shall not pay and the robber shall not walk away with his spoils. Israel is already sitting on half the Lebanon, and is busy despite declarations of a bogus ceasefire, creating new facts. We have responsibilities in the Falkland Islands, but this country as the mandate Power also has residual responsibilities towards the Palestinians.

There are five further specific points that should be debated. First, there is the genocide of Palestinians by the Israelis, referred to euphemistically—in terms that would do credit to Dr. Goebbels—as mopping up. Secondly, there is the plight of Palestinian prisoners plucked by the Israelis from their temporary legitimate home in the Lebanon and taken to Israel. Thirdly, there is the intense and appalling suffering of the civilian population of the Lebanon caused by the unprovoked blitzkreig.

Independent observers have said that 1,000 civilian casualties have been caused in Sidon. There have been 600,000 people made homeless. In the town of Rashidiye alone there live tens of thousands of women and children. 90 per cent. of the buildings have been razed and made uninhabitable.

We must be interested in the long-term effects of that challenge to Arab rights and dignity which have the gravest dangers for world peace and, if the oil weapon is used, to the prosperity of the free world.

I should like to discuss, but cannot, the veracity of statements emerging from Israel. As one of six hon. Members about whom a dishonest statement was made, I feel that that is something that should be investigated. We should debate the real reasons for the holocaust and ask what has become of the democracy that is now the Fascist State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman gave me notice this morning before 12 o'clock that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing an important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the present Israeli actions as a threat to world peace and prosperity". The House listened in silence to the hon. Gentleman because he was drawing attention to serious matters. The House has instructed me to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision.

I listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.