Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action the European Union is taking to ensure that East Jerusalem remains a part of Palestinian territory.

In its 22 July 2014 Council Conclusions, the EU made clear that it will only recognise changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, when agreed by the parties. Settlements, including in East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law and an obstacle to the two state solution. Discussions are continuing in Brussels on how the EU can best discourage further Israeli settlement expansion including in East Jerusalem. The EU has also called on both parties to resume serious peace negotiations, which must resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states.