Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of Palestinian Christians by Israeli settlers establishing illegal outposts.

The UK's position is clear. Settlements are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We condemn settler violence, and champion the right to freedom of religion and belief (FoRB). The Foreign Secretary was clear with PM Netanyahu on his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (July 2024) that the Israeli government must clamp down on settler violence and end settlement expansion. The Foreign Secretary also met Palestinian community members during his visit to the West Bank on 15 July, where he heard how communities are affected.

The UK will champion FoRB for all abroad. We are clear that incitement of violence or hatred against individuals based on their religion or belief is unacceptable. Respect for FoRB, and the promotion of interreligious dialogue, plays an important role in securing sustainable peace. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly engages with the Christian community in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.