Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding (1) the closure of the village of al-Mughayyir for three weeks, and (2) the arrest of 50 of al-Mughayyir’s residents.

We have not raised this case specifically with the Israeli authorities but we stress to them the damage that their restrictions on movement, access, and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians. We are frustrated by the reports of access restrictions to the village of al-Mughayyir and instances of settler-related violence. All Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace and security. As the occupying power, we urge Israel to fulfil its responsibilities, including ensuring the protection of the civilian population, including from acts of violence by Israeli settlers. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] made this clear most recently in a phone call with the Israeli chargé d'affaires on July 4.