HL Deb 03 June 2003 vol 648 c144WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to stop the large-scale demolition of Palestinian houses being carried out by the Israeli Army at Nazlat Issa in the West bank, Rafah in Gaza and Kafr Kassem in Israel. [HL2875]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr O'Brien) has made representations to the Israeli Ambassador about the demolitions in Nazlat Issa. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has also raised the matter with the Government of Israel and continues to do so.

We are greatly concerned about the destruction of Palestinian homes and property. Such actions are provocative, exacerbate tension and undermine efforts to end violence and to return to negotiations.