Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israel counterparts on (a) the demolitions of homes and infrastructure on the West Bank, (b) use of excessive force and potential attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities, (c) settlement expansion and (d) restrictions on freedom of movement for residents of the West Bank.

The UK Government strongly condemns all forms of violence towards healthcare workers, who should be able to go about their work without obstruction. The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians. We urge Israel to halt its settlement expansion.

The UK has consistently urged the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to de-escalate the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Foreign Secretary made this point to Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen when he met with him in person on 21 March. The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon also frequently engages with Israelis and Palestinians on these issues.