Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the (a) Israeli Defence Force operation and (b) reported use of a helicopter gunship in Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank on Monday 19 June; and whether he has had recent discussions with (i) his counterparts in the Israeli Government and (ii) the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on this matter.

We regularly raise the issue of the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Security Forces in the West Bank with the Israeli authorities. Israel has a right to self-defence, but it is vital that Israel's security operations are in line with international humanitarian law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction and necessity. When there are accusations of excessive use of force, we urge Israeli authorities to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account.