§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Lord Privy Seal on what basis Her Majesty's Government have decided that the Israeli occupation of Judaea and Samaria is illegal; and what advice he has received from legal authorities outside his Department on this matter.
§ Mr. HurdOccupation by one State of another State's territory is subject to international law, notably the fourth Geneva convention 1949, to which Israel is a party. In the Government's view, certain Israeli practices in the territories which historically formed part of Judaea and Samaria are inconsistent with Israel's status as an occupying power and contrary to certain provisions of the Geneva convention, and are therefore illegal. This view is shared by the legal authorities of the Ten members of the European Community and by many other Governments.