Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 3 February 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 February 2020. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 February 2020 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Israeli Settlements: Palestinians

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about (1) the punishment of settlers reported to have damaged a Palestinian school in South Nablus, (2) any damages to be paid to the school, and (3) plans for its future protection.

Answer: While we have not raised the case in question, we condemn any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We welcome the efforts of Israeli authorities to address settler violence, and urge them to thoroughly investigate every instance to bring those responsible to justice and end the culture of impunity. We have also stressed the importance of the Israel security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, in particular the need to protect children. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv last raised the issue of settler violence with the Israeli authorities on 17 December 2019.

Secondary information