§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received by his Department about the proposed demolition by the Israeli authorities of the Shawamreh home in Anata in the West Bank; and what representations he has made to Israel on the issue. [133232]
288W
§ Mr. RammellWe have received representations about this specific; case. We deplore the seizure of Palestinian land arid the destruction of property in the Occupied Territories by Israel and have called upon the Government of Israel to stop these actions which undermine their commitment to the roadmap. The seizure of land and the destruction of property is provocative, increasing tension and mistrust, and making a comprehensive settlement more difficult to achieve.
§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for(a) the implementation of UN Resolutions on Israel and Palestine and (b) for Israel's obligations as an occupying power under the Geneva Conventions, of the military order issued by Israel on 2 October 2003 declaring land in the Occupied West Bank between the security fence and Israel's preoccupation 1967 border as a closed zone; and what action the UK Government intend to take. [133530]
§ Mr. RammellThe implementation of this Israeli military order will have grave consequences for those Palestinians who live between the fence and the 1967 border and those who farm land in this area. It reinforces the concern that Israeli construction of the fence on occupied land amounts to de facto annexation of Palestinian lane[west of the fence, and prejudges the outcome of a final settlement based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002).
Under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Occupying Power is only permitted to evacuate a given area of the occupied territory:
if the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand".We expect Israel to comply fully with this obligation.
My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean has raised with the Israeli Ambassador our concerns about this and other Israeli activities affecting the humanitarian situation of Palestinians. We are in close touch with the US and other allies to ensure that Israel understands the opposition of the wider international community to the route of the fence.