Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Government of Israel on the protests against that Government's proposed judicial reforms.

The Prime Minister made clear the importance of upholding the shared democratic values that underpin our relationship, including in relation to the proposed judicial reforms in Israel during his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 24 March in London. The Foreign Secretary also raised judicial reform and the importance of seeking consensus on this sensitive issue with Mr Netanyahu and the Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, during his visit to Israel on 11-13 September. The UK enjoys a deep and historic relationship with Israel and we continue to urge all parties to ensure that a robust system of checks and balances, and the independence of Israel's judiciary, are preserved.