HC Deb 25 June 2002 vol 387 cc784-5W
Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the area by(a) acreage and (b) location on the (i) Israeli and (ii) Palestinian side of the planned and actual fence and trench which goes beyond their borders as defined by the (A) 1947 and (B) 1967 UN Resolutions. [63355]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The fence and trench are at an early stage of construction. We do not have definitive figures on the areas of Israeli and Palestinian territory affected by the proposed or actual construction. We will continue to monitor the facts on the ground.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a map of the fence and trench(a) planned and (b) under construction between Israel and the Palestinian west bank. [63356]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Her Majesty's Government have no plans to publish maps of Israeli Government proposals for a fence and trench. This is a matter for the Israeli Government.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations(a) have been made and (b) he plans to make to (i) the Israeli Government and (ii) Arab nations concerning the plans by Israel to build a fence and trench dividing Israel and the Palestinian west bank; and if he will make a statement. [63354]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli Government that only a political process leading to a comprehensive settlement will produce lasting peace. Physical barriers alone will not give the Israeli people the long-term security they deserve. Our efforts with Arab and other Governments will continue to focus on breaking the cycle of violence by restarting the political process. I raised this issue with the Israeli ambassador last week.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his Department's policy to support the construction of a fence and trench dividing Israel and the Palestinian west bank; and if he will make a statement. [63358]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

It is not. We do not believe that the construction of a fence and trench dividing Israel and the west bank will provide lasting security for Israel, which can only be achieved through negotiation of a permanent settlement by Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's estimate is of the number of Israeli civilians killed by Palestinian suicide bombers who were understood to have entered Israel from(a) the Palestinian west bank and (b) Gaza. [63360]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

According to Israeli Defence Forces figures, 215 Israeli civilians have been killed by suicide bombings since the beginning of the current intifada. The Israeli Defence Forces claim that no suicide attack inside the Green Line has come from Gaza, and that all have originated in the west bank.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the(a) length, (b) structure, (c) size and (d) defensive effectiveness of the fence and trench being constructed between Israel and the Palestinian west bank. [63357]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

At present, the fence and trench are at an early stage of construction. We continue to monitor the facts on the ground as they develop.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the United States concerning the construction of a fence and trench dividing Israel and the Palestinian west bank; and if he will make a statement. [63359]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We have not yet discussed Israel's construction of a security fence with the Government of the United States.

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