Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Cryer and Alistair Burt

Tuesday 17th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab)]

Further to Question 9, is not the worst aspect of the demolitions the practice of punitive demolitions, which is based on the doctrine of collective punishment, and does that not directly contravene article 33 of the Geneva convention?

[Alistair Burt]

I reiterate again that we raised with the Israeli authorities the issue of demolitions as one of great concern. They have been on the increase, and we see them as a setback to the peace process and to the need to build a proper relationship with the Palestinian authorities in order to get an ultimate settlement resolved. It will be resolved only within that context, but we are concerned about the recent increase, and we make our representations very clear.