Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 14 December 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 December 2020. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 December 2020 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

West Bank: Demolition

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of Israel has charged Palestinians for the demolition of their homes by the Israel Defence Force.

Answer: We are seriously concerned by increasing rates of demolition of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process. The UK is focused on preventing demolitions from happening in the first place through our legal aid programme, which supports Bedouin communities and Palestinians facing demolition or home eviction in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem. We continue 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.

Secondary information