Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 9 November 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 November 2020. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 November 2020 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Palestinians: Olives

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to support the planting of olive trees in Atuwani to ensure land near that village is not classified as state land by the government of Israel.

Answer: We are seriously concerned by the continued expropriation of land by Israel in the West Bank, including notably for settlement expansion. We regularly call on Israel to halt such counterproductive activity and instead urgently commit to creating a better environment for a just and lasting peace. Settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the physical viability of the two-state solution. We continue to call on Israel to improve Palestinians' route to securing building permissions for homes and infrastructure, including agriculture and farming, in Area C.

Secondary information