HL Deb 18 February 1997 vol 578 cc39-40WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have noted the contents of a recent letter to the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Netanyahu, signed by three former US Secretaries of State and five other former senior US officials, warning of the threat to peace in the Middle East arising from illegal settlements.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The letter signed by eight senior US politicians underlines the importance that the international community attaches to the issue of settlements. Our position is well known to the Israeli authorities: Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories are illegal under international law. They are an obstacle to peace, and should not continue. Both sides should refrain from actions which are likely to provoke violence.