Middle East (Hansard, 16 December 2003)

§ 19. Ms Munn
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what influence the United Kingdom is exerting on the United States to put pressure on the Israeli Government to stop the building of the wall. [144059]

§ Mr. Rammell
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the Middle East Peace Process with President Bush during his recent visit to London. In a joint statement on 20 November, they called on all parties to fulfil their obligations under the roadmap, and to refrain from steps which would prevent or prejudge the terms of a final settlement.
Additionally, the Foreign Secretary, FCO officials and I regularly discuss key elements of the Middle East Peace Process with the US Administration.
The Government recognises Israel's legitimate security concerns, and deplores the terrorist suicide bombings of Israeli civilians. But, we consider Israel's building of a wall, or fence, on occupied land to be unlawful, and have urged the Israeli government to reconsider the route of the fence.

§ Mr. Lyons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the US Administration to encourage them to exert pressure on the Israeli Government in relation to the building of the wall. [143810]

§ Mr. Rammell
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the middle east peace process with President Bush during the latter's recent visit to London. In a joint statement on 20 November, they called on all parties to fulfil their obligations under the roadmap, and to refrain from steps which would prevent or prejudge the terms of a final settlement.
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Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly discuss key elements of the middle east peace process with the US Administration.
The Government recognise Israel's legitimate security concerns, and deplores the terrorist suicide bombings of Israeli civilians. But we consider Israel's building of a fence on occupied land to be unlawful, and have urged the Israeli government to reconsider the route of the fence.

§ Helen Jackson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further consultation he has had with Palestinian and Israeli authorities on the impact of the security wall built by the Israelis. [144052]

§ Mr. Rammell
The Government continues to urge the Government of Israel to re-route the fence away from Palestinian areas. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have made clear our concerns to the Israeli Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on a number of occasions. I raised the matter with the Israeli Foreign Minister during my visit to Israel on 30 September, and have since then discussed with the Israeli Ambassador and Israeli Minister for National Infrastructure.
We are in regular contact with the Palestinian Authority and NGOs on the ground.