HL Deb 12 May 1999 vol 600 cc148-9WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations, and whether they will ask other member states of the European Union to make representations, to the Israeli Government about:

  1. (a) the demolition of Palestinian homes by the Israeli authorities;
  2. (b) the confiscation of Jerusalem identity cards from Palestinian residents; and
  3. (c) the placing of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank before and after the Wye Plantation Agreement. [HL218.5]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

The UK, both bilaterally and through the EU, has consistently made clear our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian homes, the confiscation of ID cards and continuing Israeli settlement activity both before and after the Wye Plantation Agreement. These activities are in breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, an obstacle to peace and worsen the climate for final status negotiations. We have registered our concern both publicly and privately with the Israeli authorities and will continue to keep the matter under review with our EU partners.