Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take to protect Palestinian families living in East Jerusalem from the occupation and demolition of their houses.

We make clear, on a regular basis to the Israeli authorities and the Municipality of Jerusalem, both bilaterally and in co-operation with our EU partners, our serious concerns about the demolition of Palestinian homes and infrastructure in East Jerusalem. Such acts are contrary to international humanitarian law, cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, and are harmful to the peace process.

We continue to support Palestinians facing demolition or eviction through support to the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme which helps individuals to challenge these decisions in the Israeli legal system. We are also funding the International Peace and Cooperation Centre, an independent Palestinian non-profit organisation, to support long-term planning for Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.