Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the data published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showing that in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the equivalent period in 2020 (1) 21 per cent more structures were demolished or seized by the Israeli authorities, and (2) 28 per cent more people were displaced, in the West Bank; and what assessment they have made of the EU’s call for Israel to halt the demolition of Palestinian homes in occupied territory.

The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The UK regularly raises the issue of demolitions, confiscations and forced evictions of Palestinians from their homes with the Government of Israel, most recently with Israel's Ministry of Defense on 19 October. We regularly call on Israel to halt such counterproductive activity and instead urgently commit to creating a better environment for a just and lasting peace.