To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2021 to Question 185340, West Bank: Demolition, whether the UK collects data on the (a) number and (b) cost of the UK-funded humanitarian aid structures demolished or seized by the Israeli authorities in the West Bank.
Answered on
21 May 2021
The UK regularly raises the demolition of Palestinian property with the Government of Israel, including over the repeated confiscation and demolition of donor-funded assistance and structures. We work closely with key partners to monitor any incidents. The Fourth Geneva Convention, which applies to all occupied territories, prohibits demolitions or forced evictions absent military necessity. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace.