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Written question asked by Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 October 2023. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 October 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Israel: Palestinians

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) reports that leading Israeli public figures such as the former head of the Mossad intelligence agency, Tamir Pardo, and the former speaker of the Israeli parliament, Avraham Burg, have stated that the State of Israel is imposing a form of apartheid on the Palestinian people; and (2) the statement made by members of The Elders organisation, including Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon, after visiting the West Bank, of the “ever-growing evidence that the situation meets the international legal definition of apartheid”.

Answer

The UK is committed to making progress towards a two-state solution, as the Foreign Secretary made clear during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 11-13 September.

However, the UK does not agree with the use of this terminology. Any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue on human rights. This includes encouraging the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL10315
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Israel Apartheid Palestine
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk