HL Deb 27 July 1993 vol 548 c112WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are working to extend the benefit of the European Community/Israel co-operation agreement to the Occupied Territories; and if this proves impossible within a reasonable time, whether they will seek the suspension of the agreement until Israel ceases to restrict the export of fruit and vegetables from Gaza and the West Bank.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Extension of the EC/Israel co-operation agreement to the Occupied Territories would imply recognition of Israeli sovereignty over them. There are separate arrangements for EC co-operation with the Occupied Territories. The Israeli Government say that the closure of the Occupied Territories does not involve barriers to the movement of goods, subject to security considerations. We and our EC partners have, however, underlined to Israel our concerns about the economic and social consequences of the closure.