§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2001,Official Report, columns 736–37W, on Israel, if he will list the responses received by the European Union from the Government of Israel to the demarches, statements and representations listed. [152608]
§ Mr. WilsonIn reply to UK and EU representations the Israeli authorities have sought to justify their policies and actions. They have asserted that the continued closures and the practice of extra judicial killing are necessary for the protection of Israeli lives. We understand the importance of combating terrorism, but these sustained collective punishments radicalise the Palestinian population and fuel violence in the Occupied Territories. They cannot, therefore, achieve their stated purpose. We will press the new Israeli Government to end these practices and, as a specific first step, to resume the payment of revenues withheld from the Palestine Authority. We will also press the Palestinian leadership to restore security co-operation and make every effort in good faith to calm the violence.