Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the reported demolition of houses in Umm al-Khair village, near Hebron; and what assessment they have made of the impact of any such action on negotiations between the communities there.

The British Government repeatedly makes clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concerns about continued demolitions of Palestinian property and the need for Israel to abide by its obligations under international law. Demolitions 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 (IHL).