§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the incidents in which British citizens have been(a) killed and (b) wounded in (i) Israel and (ii) the territories controlled by the Palestinian Authority since 1 September 2000; and if he will make a statement. [55996]
§ Mr. BradshawWe have been made aware of four fatalities and seven injuries since September 2000 involving British nationals. One death and two injuries were as a result of suicide bombs, and three fatalities and four injuries from shooting incidents in the west bank and Israeli/Lebanese border region. The majority of incidents involved dual UK/Israeli nationals resident in the area.
Recently, three British peace protesters were also injured in the west bank following the Israeli invasion of the area.
Our travel advice strongly advises against travel to the west bank and Gaza.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement as to whether the allegations of a massacre in Jenin were accurate. [56217]
§ Mr. BradshawHuman Rights Watch in their report on the IDE military operations into Jenin have confirmed that at least 52 Palestinians were killed. The Israeli Government estimate is similar.
The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution requesting that the Secretary-General present a report, drawing on the available resources and information, on the recent events that took place in Jenin and in other Palestinian cities. We shall support the Secretary-General in this and look forward to his report.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of evidence produced by the Israeli Government supporting their allegation of support by Chairman Arafat for terrorists. [56218]
§ Mr. BradshawWe have seen the dossier, but cannot verify its authenticity. The EU Commissioner for External Affairs, Chris Patten, has made it clear that he has seen no hard evidence corroborating claims about the misuse of EU funds. The Palestinian Authority has denied its allegations.