§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What they are doing bilaterally with the European Union, the United States and the Quartet to stop further construction by Israel of a barrier within occupied territory. [HL4170]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have made known our views on the illegality of the route of the barrier and have made clear to the Israeli Government that they must re-route the barrier away from occupied land. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary most recently raised the issue with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Olmert on 8 September.
We have worked with EU partners to ensure a consistent common position on the barrier. The EU voted in favour of United Nations General Assembly resolution ES-10/15 on 20 July. This called on the Israeli Government to comply with their legal obligations relating to the route of the barrier, and on the Palestinian Authority and Israeli Government to immediately implement their obligations under the Quartet's roadmap.
We shall continue to work with EU partners and other members of the Quartet to underline the importance of the issue of the barrier. The Quartet has also expressed its concern about the actual and proposed route of the barrier.