§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US Administration on its approach to ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. [133151]
§ Mr. RammellThe establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is at the heart of President Bush's vision of a final settlement, as set out in his speech of 24 June 2002. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, the noble Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean and FCO officials are in constant touch with US colleagues to realise that vision. We agree with them that the Quartet roadmap provides the right mechanism, and are working with them to implement it.
§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to persuade the Israeli Government to pursue a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians; and what assessment he has made of the possible use of targeted sanctions. [133152]
§ Mr. RammellThe Government constantly urges the Israeli Government at the highest level and through the EU to fulfil its obligations under the roadmap, which is agreed by both parties and the international community to be the route to a peaceful settlement in the Middle East. The Government believe that, as a friend of Israel and the Palestinians, we can best exert influence and encourage both sides to take the steps needed for progress through close engagement with them. We do not believe that targeted sanctions would bring the parties any nearer to a peaceful resolution.
§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU colleagues on the development of a mechanism for monitoring the roadmap for peace. [133153]
§ Mr. RammellEU Foreign Ministers discussed the mechanism for monitoring the roadmap at their meeting on 29 September. We agreed that
the EU will continue to work closely and consistently with the US and with other Quartet partners on all issues linked to the successful implementation of the roadmap by the parties".The EU co-ordinates the work of the Task Force on Palestinian Reform and is ready to contribute to a credible and effective monitoring mechanism.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the deportation by the State of Israel of persons against whom no charges have been laid; and what action he plans to take consistent with Articles 146 and 147 of the 4th Geneva Convention. [133068]
§ Mr. RammellWe are deeply concerned by the Israeli government policy of relocating certain Palestinians to Gaza. We believe such actions are inconsistent with international law. We have previously raised our concerns with the Government of Israel and urged them not to carry out expulsions. We will continue to do so.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to condemn the bombing of Syria by Israel; and if he will make a statement. [132354]
622W
§ Mr. RammellWe deplore Israel's attack on Ayn Sahib on 5 October. As our Ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council, this was unacceptable and represented an escalation of the situation in the region. While we understand Israel's need to protect her citizens from terrorism, we urge all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that escalate tension.