§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made in response to the President of Al-Quds University against the decision of the Government of Israel to seize almost one-third of the university grounds to make way for the "security wall"; and what representations have been made by other European Union member states. [HL4456]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy right honourable friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary both made clear our concerns over the route and likely impact of the "security fence" to Prime Minister Sharon when he visited London on 14 July. Foreign Office officials have also made representations through the Israeli Embassy.
The fence should not be built within occupied territory. We deplore the seizure of Palestinian land, isolation of Palestinian villages and the creation of a further physical obstacle to the two-state solution. We continue to monitor the situation closely. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has raised our concerns with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the proposed path of the fence through Al-Quds University. There is no justification for taking this land and dividing the university.