Israel and Palestine

Lord Stoddart of Swindon Excerpts

Tuesday 5th November 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Grocott (Lab)]

My Lords, many Ministers—

[Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Ind Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Grocott]

I have started. There is plenty of time.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Hill of Oareford) (Con)]

There is plenty of time. If we can go to the Cross Benches then we will come to the noble Lord, Lord Grocott.

[Lord Stoddart of Swindon]

Does the noble Lord agree that one of the greatest provocations between Israel and the Palestinians is the building on occupied land by the Israelis in direct contravention of the United Nations resolutions banning such building?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

My Lords, as I have already said, the UK Government’s position is quite clear. These settlements on Palestinian land beyond the 1967 borders—be they in East Jerusalem or in the West Bank—are illegal.