To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) cost to the public purse of UK aid-funded projects in the West Bank and Gaza which have been demolished by Israeli authorities; and whether he plans to fund their replacement.
Answered on
22 October 2020
The UK is concerned by the continued demolitions of Palestinian structures by Israeli authorities. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. We have made clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concern at the increase in demolitions of Palestinian properties in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. Between 2015 and 2019, around eight per cent of West Bank Protection Consortium (WBPC) structures were demolished or seized by the Israeli authorities. The UK continues to fund the WBPC, and has provided a total of £1.9 million to the WBPC and its activities since 2018. Our legal aid programme supports Bedouin communities and Palestinians facing demolition or home eviction in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem.