Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about human rights abuses, including recent killings of civilians in Gaza.

The UK is firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and compliance with international law in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We are extremely concerned by the scale of the violence in Gaza and the West Bank. The loss of life and the large number of Palestinians injured, including children, is tragic. Israel has the right to defend its borders. However the use of live fire is deeply troubling, and has led to significant loss of life. We urge Israel to show greater restraint. The Foreign Secretary discussed the use of live ammunition against protestors in Gaza with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 16 May. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa also raised our concerns with his Israeli counterpart on 13 May and with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 17 May.