Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect on Palestinian communities of Israel’s plans for demolition of buildings in the village of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank; and what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on this issue.

The Foreign Secretary raised the issue of the Bedouin village of Khan Al Ahmar during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 6 June. He also issued a statement on 1 June calling on Israel to reconsider its proposals to demolish the village, noting that approximately 180 people face the prospect of losing their homes and livelihoods. The UK is particularly concerned by the pending demolition of the village’s school, which serves 170 children. I visited the village on 30 May, and I emphasised the UK’s concern at the village’s imminent demolition, which the UN say could constitute forcible transfer. I reiterated these concerns to the Israeli Ambassador on 20 June.