Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the loss to the Palestinian economy each year through the destruction of olive trees; and whether they have any plans to ensure that such losses will be repaired.

The UN reports that between 2009 and August 2014, nearly 50,000 fruit-bearing trees, mainly olive trees, were destroyed or damaged in incidents of settler violence. The UK has repeatedly raised our concerns about incidents of settler violence and intimidation with the Israeli authorities. We have stressed the importance of bringing the extremist settlers responsible to justice and of the Israel security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. The UK will continue to argue for a just outcome for all the people affected by illegal settlement construction and the confiscation of land due to the Separation Barrier.