§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the988W Government are taking to ensure that humanitarian organisations have access to the Occupied Territories of Palestine. [123637]
§ Mr. RammellThere have been acute access difficulties in recent months. Our Missions in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv work closely with humanitarian agencies on resolving these. We hope that recent positive developments, including the transfer of security responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority in parts of Gaza and in Bethlehem, will ease access for humanitarian organisations. But we continue to press Israel to take steps to ensure unfettered access for humanitarian aid. Israel has clear obligations, as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention, to facilitate access to the Occupied Territories for organisations providing aid to those in need.