Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 22 October 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 2019. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 October 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Palestinians: Political Prisoners

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the reported detention of (1) Adnan Ghaith, (2) Shadi Mutawar, and (3) Yasser Darwish; and what responses they have received.

Answer: Whilst we have not raised these specific cases, we urge Israel to respect the role of Palestinian institutions and politicians serving Palestinians in East Jerusalem. British ministers and officials continue to make repeated representations to the Israeli Government about their extensive use of administrative detentions. According to international law, these should be used only when security makes this absolutely necessary rather than as routine practice and as a preventive rather than a punitive measure. We call on the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law and either charge or release detainees.

Secondary information