Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the potential demolition of Khan Al-Ahmer school in the West Bank.

The UK is seriously concerned by the possible demolition of a Palestinian school in Khan al-Ahmar by Israeli authorities. The UK remains strongly opposed to Israel's proposed demolition of the village, and continues to call on Israel to reconsider its plans to do so. I raised UK concern about the planned demolition of humanitarian structures, as well as the wider demolition of Palestinian infrastructure, with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 29 October. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv also raised our concern about the demolition of schools with the Government of Israel on 13 October, alongside European partners. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. 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, including the treatment of Palestinian children. We are continuing to monitor developments in Khan al-Ahmar and officials from our Consulate-General in Jerusalem visit the community regularly.