HL Deb 19 February 1997 vol 578 c52WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have protested or intend to protest to Israel concerning recent approvals for an exclusively Jewish development near the village of Jabal al-Mukater, Jerusalem, and for 132 housing units at Ras al-Amoud, East Jerusalem; and whether they will seek a concerted démarche by the European Union on these issues.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The Israeli Government is well aware of the position shared by the UK and EU: settlements, including those planned at Ras al-Amoud and Jabal al-Makater, are illegal and an obstacle to peace. Ministers will continue to press their Israeli interlocutors to stop settlement expansion. I made clear our firm opposition to settlements when I met Israeli officials on 23 January.