§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in discussing co-operation on combating terrorism shortly with the Israeli Defence Minister, they will draw his attention to the encouragement of terrorism implicit in unlawfully building a settlement block of 8,000 housing units, specifically for "ultra-Orthodox" (i.e. fundamentalist) families, in a Palestinian area, in the Occupied Territories (SWB ME/2756 MED/1,30-10-96), at the same time as relaxing controls over the possession of weapons by Israeli citizens; and
Whether, in discussing co-operation on combating terrorism shortly with the Israeli Defence Minister, they will draw his attention to the encouragement of terrorism implicit in unlawfully building settlements for ultra-Orthodox families from "Western countries" on the Golan Heights (SWB MB/2762 MED/3 6-11-96).
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyI expect that the subject of settlements will be raised by my right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary when he meets the Israeli Defence Minister. The Foreign Secretary has made clear on a number of occasions, most recently on his visit to Israel, Hebron and Gaza on 3rd November, that we consider settlements to be illegal and an obstacle to peace.