HC Deb 22 March 2004 vol 419 cc557-8W
John Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of settlement activity in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the past six months. [162058]

Mr. Rammell

Expansion of settlements and building of outposts have continued in the last six months. As we have made clear, we consider all settlements in the Occupied Territories illegal under international law and an obstacle to a comprehensive peace in the region. The Government regularly presses the Israeli Government to freeze settlement activity and dismantle outposts in line with Israel's commitments under the roadmap.

Both sides need to implement their obligations under the roadmap without delay. We welcome Prime Minister Sharon's reiteration of Israel's commitment to the roadmap and his subsequent announcement that he will remove settlements in Gaza. We would warmly welcome a withdrawal of settlers and the Israeli Defence Force from Gaza to Israel as part of implementation of the Roadmap.