HL Deb 01 November 2004 vol 666 c1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of Israel on humanitarian issues affecting the populations of Gaza and the West Bank, including issues of access to hospitals and medical facilities and to olive groves for the harvesting of this year's crop. [HL4614]

Baroness Amos

The Government, both bilaterally and through the EU, have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli authorities our concerns about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territory. Ministers have stressed to the Israeli Government their obligations under international law to avoid causing humanitarian suffering, and to ensure free access by humanitarian agencies in delivering vital humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Now the olive harvest has begun, DfID will monitor that situation closely too.