HC Deb 02 February 2004 vol 417 cc678-9W
Sir Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU colleagues about(a) trade policy towards Israel and (b) aid policy towards the Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement. [151676]

Mr. Straw

EU Foreign Ministers regularly discuss Israel and the Palestinian territories at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in the context of our discussions on the Middle East Peace Process.

EU Foreign Ministers discussed the EU position for the EU/Israel Association Council at the GAERC on 17 November 2003. The Association Council discusses political and economic issues, including trade. EU Ministers in December agreed to further liberalisation of agricultural trade between the EU and Israel and on 1 January 2004 this round of liberalisation came into force.

I discussed with EU colleagues aid policy towards the Palestinian territories at the GAERC on 29 September 2003. As stated in the Council conclusions, "the EU, as the largest donor to the Palestinian territories, supported the Quartet's call on the International and Regional Community to assist the Palestinian Authority in the implementation of reforms, institution-building and socio-economic development".

Sir Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times since 1997 UK officials have raised human rights concerns and the plight of the Palestinians with Israeli officials; and if he will make a statement. [151677]

Mr. Straw

We have frequently lobbied the Government of Israel since 1997 about human rights concerns and the plight of the Palestinians. But many of the details of this lobbying are no longer held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. However, our lobbying has increased since the start of the intifada in September 2000.

Among the issues raised on many occasions in 2003 were:

  • civilian casualties;
  • targeted assassinations;
  • demolitions;
  • confiscation of land;
  • prisoners held in administrative detention;
  • impact of the fence and "closed zone";
  • settlements and outposts;
  • inappropriate behaviour by the Israel Defence Forces and rules of engagement;
  • checkpoints and other internal barriers;
  • the closure and curfew regimes;
  • the hindrance to the movement of humanitarian aid;
  • access problems for humanitarian workers and other essential staff;
  • movement restrictions of dual nationals.

Separately, we have also raised issues concerning the Bedouin and Arab Israelis.

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