Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure a negotiated settlement between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.
Answered by Mark Field
The UK Government habitually discusses a wide range of matters with India and Pakistan, including Kashmir.
The long-standing and established position of the UK Government is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to intervene, prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator. We encourage both sides to maintain positive dialogue, but the pace and scope of this is for them to determine.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will lobby the Government of Israel to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2334, 446 and the fourth Geneva Convention.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK has repeatedly called on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law. We have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including settlements and the treatment of Palestinian children in military custody.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the demolition of Palestinian buildings by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by Alistair Burt
As I set out in the Westminster Hall debate on 6 December the UK position on demolitions is clear: we consider them entirely unacceptable. In all but the most exceptional cases, they are contrary to international humanitarian law. Demolitions or evictions of Palestinian families from their homes cause unnecessary suffering and call into question Israel’s commitment to a viable two-state solution. The UK is particularly concerned by Israeli proposals to relocate the Bedouin population from the E1 area, which the UN has said could constitute forcible transfer.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government supports a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.
Answered by Alistair Burt
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 20 November 2017 (PQ 113202).
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on Israeli settlement building in Jerusalem.
Answered by Alistair Burt
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 October 2017 (PQ 106847).
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the right of return for Palestine refugees.
Answered by Alistair Burt
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 20 October 2017 (PQ 107394).
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking towards achieving a two state solution to the Israel and Palestine conflict.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We continue to believe the two-state solution is the only viable solution to the Arab Israeli conflict, and that there is now some need for greater urgency in attempting to resolve such a long standing issue. We are concerned that settlement construction, demolition of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities, incitement and terrorist attacks are undermining prospects for peace. Ultimately we believe that peace will only come through negotiations between the parties, but international action could play a role in supporting progress. We are in close consultation with international partners, including the US, about what kind of renewed process might have a better chance of success, including one with a greater role for regional partners.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Israeli Government on that government's legal obligation towards the people of the Gaza Strip and the Occupied Palestinian Territories under international law.
Answered by Alison Thewliss
It has long been the Government's view that Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is governed by the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to which Israel is a state party. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.
Asked by: Julie Cooper (Labour - Burnley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Israeli Government on the matter of the legality of Israeli settlements built in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We regularly raise our concerns over the illegality of Israeli settlements built in the occupied Palestinian territories. As well as being illegal under international law, we view settlements as an obstacle to the two state solution. When I visited Israel in August this year, I raised our concern with the Israeli Minister for Regional Cooperation and the Deputy Minister in the Prime Ministers’ Office.