§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Government of Israel are offering compensation to the next of kin or personal representatives of the unarmed British citizens Thomas Hurndall, who was shot on 12 April near Gaza, and Iain Hook, United Nations employee, who was shot in October 2002 in Jenin; and whether they have received information about comparable cases of United States citizens.[HL2580]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean):Any offer of compensation by the Israeli Government would be a private issue between them and the families concerned.
We deal with any consular case on an individual basis, and would not normally speak to US colleagues about comparable cases.
§ Baroness Warwick of Undercliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their position on the recent shootings of Britons in the Occupied Territories.[HL2866]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:I am deeply shocked that three British nationals have been shot in the Occupied Territories in recent months. Since the shooting of Iain Hook by the Israel defence forces on 58WA 22 November 2002, Thomas Hurndall was seriously injured on 11 April and James Miller was killed on 2 May. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims.
Her Majesty's Government welcome the cooperation the Israeli Government have provided in investigating the death of Mr Hook and hope for similar co-operation into the incidents involving Mr Hurndall and Mr Miller also. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has asked the Israeli Government for full and transparent investigations into these incidents.
Her Majesty's Government are deeply concerned about the number of incidents in which civilians, both Palestinian and foreign, have been killed or injured as a result of encounters with the Israel defence forces. We have urged the Israeli Government to take steps to revise their tactics in the Occupied Territories in order to reduce the likelihood of such incidents happening again.