Skip to main content

Israel: Palestinians

Question for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UIN 6262, tabled on 8 July 2015

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the Middle East peace process of Israel's policy of removing structures in the Occupied Palestinian Territories built without permits.

Answered on

13 July 2015

We assess that demolition of Palestinian structures in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by Israel is harmful to the peace process. Demolitions cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and in all but the most limited circumstances are contrary to international humanitarian law. The UK raises concerns about demolitions and displacement with the Government of Israel on a regular basis and at the highest levels.

The Government continues to urge the Government of Israel to develop improved mechanisms for zoning, planning and permitting in Area C for the benefit of the Palestinian population, including by facilitating local Palestinian participation in such processes. This year we have allocated £900,000 for technical assistance to support Palestinian villages currently threatened with demolition action to meet the requirements of the Israeli planning system.

Answered by

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Named day
Named day questions only occur in the House of Commons. The MP tabling the question specifies the date on which they should receive an answer. MPs may not table more than five named day questions on a single day.