§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consequences beyond public censure the Government has raised with Israel in respect of alleged breaches of the Geneva conventions. [178582]
§ Mr. RammellWe have raised Israeli violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention repeatedly both in public and in private, bilaterally and in multilateral fora such as the United Nations and at the Conference of States Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention held in Geneva in 2001. Respect for international humanitarian law is an essential feature of our efforts to bring peace to the region based on the roadmap.
The most serious consequence of such breaches is their negative impact on prospects for achieving the lasting peace which most Israelis want to see.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to report human rights abuses committed by Israel in Gaza to the EU Association Council. [178796]
§ Mr. RammellArticle 2 of the EU/Israel Association Agreement states that "Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement."
Where we have concerns over Israeli actions on human rights grounds we raise these concerns with the Israeli government both as the UK and through the EU. Following the recent violence in Gaza, EU Foreign Ministers said that Israeli Defence Force actions were "disproportionate and in conflict with international law and also with Israel's obligations under the Roadmap."
993WThe EU also uses the opportunity to raise issues of concern, including human rights, at the EU/Israel Association Council. The EU will consider in the autumn what issues to raise at the EU/Israel Association Council scheduled to be held at the end of this year.