HC Deb 19 July 2004 vol 424 cc65-6W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning(a) the killing of Dr. Khaled Saled and his son and (b) the destruction by shelling of a residential block in Nablus on 6 July. [184054]

Mr. Rammell

Israel is entitled to take steps to protect itself from terrorist attack, but these should be within international law and neither disproportionate nor excessive. Actions which result in the death or injury of civilians and the demolition of Palestinian homes and property are deeply disturbing. We have frequently called on the Israeli government to stop such action. We have made representations to the Israeli Government at every level about its actions in the occupied territories. We have not made specific representations concerning the killing of Dr Saled and his son, or the 6 July shelling in Nablus.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answers of 28 June 2004,Official Report, columns 129–30W, on Israel/Palestine, what steps he will take to ensure that Israel complies with the UK Government's policies. [184060]

Mr. Rammell

The UK will continue to pursue its policy towards Israel in the areas raised, through bilateral dialogue with the Israelis and through the activities of the European Union, the Quartet (UN, US, Russia, EU) and the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly.

Clare Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's response is to the ruling of the International Court on the route of the Israeli wall; and if he will make a statement. [184757]

Mr. Rammell

[holding answer 16 July 2004]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion with his EU counterparts on 12 July. We have repeatedly said that we recognise Israel's legitimate security concerns. But we consider the building of the barrier on Occupied Territory to be illegal. The EU has said the same; so has the UN General Assembly. We continue to call upon the Israeli Government to re-route the barrier away from Occupied Territory. Similarly we call on the Palestinian Authority to meet their commitments on security. A draft resolution is being considered by the UN General Assembly. If it is put to a vote we shall vote according to the merits of the resolution.