Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on developing a co-ordinated response to demolition of donor-funded infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a result of Israeli action.

The UK remains deeply concerned about demolitions of Palestinian property, which cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, are harmful to the peace process and, in all but the most limited circumstances, are contrary to international humanitarian law. The UK and the EU are currently engaging with the Israeli authorities in order to accelerate the approval of UK-funded masterplans for Palestinian communities in Area C of the West Bank. These plans provide the basis for sustainable development in Area C and reduce the risk of demolition.