Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about (1) the reported killing of a Palestinian child near Ramallah on 4 December, and (2) reports that the child was shot by the Israel Defence Force.

The Government is very concerned at the high numbers of Palestinians, including children, killed by Israel Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza. The UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa expressed the UK's sadness to hear of the death of Palestinian child Ali Ayman Abu Alaya, following clashes between the Israeli Defence Forces and Palestinian civilians. We have urged Israel to ensure that its investigation is swift and comprehensive. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, in particular the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we advocate transparent investigations.