§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for International Development to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 684W, what representations have been made by his Department to the Israeli Government to seek financial compensation for EU-financed development projects in Gaza and the west bank damaged and destroyed by Israeli military action. [53472]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 2 May 2002]: The Government have stressed to the Government of Israel that any action they take in self defence must be proportionate. Israel must avoid civilian casualties and avoid damaging civilian property and infrastructure. Together with our EU partners we have raised our concerns about the damage to EU and other donor-funded projects in the west bank and Gaza strip caused by Israeli military actions and demanded that this practice stop. The EU reserves the right to demand compensation in the appropriate fora. The European Commission continues to monitor and cost this damage.