§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of recent developments in Israel on the peace process. [129061]
§ Mr. RammellThe renewal in mid-August of the familiar cycle of violence in Israel and the Occupied Territories has set back the peace process. But the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians want an end to this violence and a lasting peace. The will of the international community to work for peace remains strong. We must encourage all parties to overcome the current difficulties, implement the roadmap and realise its vision of a two-state solution. To do this, the new Palestinian leadership must act with renewed determination to stop the suicide bombers, and Israel must stop targeted killings.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Israeli Government 1 o stop further seizures of land from Palestinians. [130379]
§ Mr. RammellMy right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have raised with the Government of Israel, the UK's concerns about the seizure of Palestinian land. We deplore both continuing settlement activity and land appropriation and the isolation of Palestinian villages for construction of the 'security fence'. Our embassy in Tel Aviv and FCO officials have also raised this matter with Israel and will continue to do so; lasting peace can only be achieved through a negotiated settlement and not unilateral actions.