DEBATE PACK Number CDP-0089 | 22 September 2020 Compiled by: The settlement and Nigel Walker
annexation of the occupied Subject specialist: Anna Dickson
Palestinian Territories
Contents
Main Chamber 1. Background 2 2. Press articles 3 Thursday 24 September 2020 3. Press releases 6 Backbench Business Committee 4. Parliamentary material 14 4.1 PQs 14 4.2 Debates 23 5. FCO report 24 6. Further reading 26
The proceedings of this debate can be viewed on Parliamentlive.tv
The House of Commons Library prepares a briefing in hard copy and/or online for most non-legislative debates in the Chamber and Westminster Hall other than half-hour debates. Debate Packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for Members on request to the Library.
www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | [email protected] | @commonslibrary 2 Number CDP-0089, 22 September 2020
1. Background
On 28 January 2020, the Trump Administration published its peace plan for the Middle East. Among its more controversial proposals is a land swap between Israel and the Palestinians. This would require Israel to annex land currently occupied by settlements in the West Bank.
Some commentators and regional neighbours have argued that, if enacted, this would be the end of the peace process.
Israeli settlements on land designated by the UN as Palestinian territory have been a longstanding issue of contention in the region. Approximately 460,000 Israelis now live in 132 officially recognized “settlements” and in 121 unofficial “outposts” in the West Bank.1
Most of the international community and the UN consider the settlements to be illegal under international law. The Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying state from moving its own civilians into the territory it occupies. According to the International Court of Justice, the West Bank is considered occupied territory because it was not part of Israel before the Israeli army conquered it in 1967.
Israel considers that the Geneva Convention is not applicable to the West Bank because it only refers to a state occupying another state’s land. Israel considers the West Bank “disputed territory,” not occupied territory.
Mr Netanyahu has said the plan is "not annexation", although it involves applying Israeli sovereignty to the parts of the West Bank which contain Jewish settlements, as well as most of a swathe of land along the West Bank's boundary with Jordan, known as the Jordan Valley.
The Israeli Government has not yet proceeded with the proposed annexation, but maintains that the plans are “still on the table”. Recent peace agreements—establishing full diplomatic relations—with the UAE and Bahrain, were reported to have halted those plans.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing a difficult political situation at home having fought three elections in as many years and is now locked into a power-sharing arrangement with the opposition.
Netanyahu is also facing charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases.
Israel has recorded more than 180,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 1,200 deaths. The Government is struggling to impose its second lockdown faced with mounting protests and demonstrations.
1 The figures do not include an estimated 300,000 Jewish Israelis living in East Jerusalem The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 3
2. Press articles
The following is a selection of news and media articles relevant to this debate.
Please note: the Library is not responsible for either the views or the accuracy of external content.
EU-Israel Association Council back on agenda after annexation scrapped The Jerusalem Post Lahav Harkov 21 September 2020
Stop or suspend West Bank annexation? Devil in the detail for Israel-UAE deal Reuters Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams 2 September 2020
How a Proposed New Fund to Bolster the Palestinian Economy Stands to Benefit Israeli Settlers Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Zaha Hassan 2 September 2020
Israel halted annexation plans, but Palestinians are not ready to restore ties The Washington Post Steve Hendrix and Hazem Balousha 28 August 2020
Netanyahu’s plan for West Bank annexation hit by delays Financial Times Mehul Srivastava 17 July 2020
West Bank Annexation: International Rhetoric vs. Action Chatham House Reni Zhelyazkova and Yossi Mekelberg 14 July 2020
Annexation Will Probably Go Smoothly. The Problems Will Come Later. Foreign Policy Philip H. Gordon and Robert Malley 6 July 2020
Israel/OPT: 10 things you need to know about “annexation” Amnesty International 2 July 2020
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How Bibi’s Friends in the Settlements and in Washington Helped Scuttle His Annexation Move Foreign Policy Joshua Mitnick 2 July 2020
As Israel's friend, I urge you not to annex Ynetnews.com (internet version of Yedioth Ahronoth) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson 1 July 2020
Israel’s annexation plan for the West Bank: All you need to know The Independent Bel Trew 1 July 2020
Israel's cabinet meets to finalise annexation plans The Observer Harriet Sherwood 28 June 2020
Report: Israel has told Abbas it will limit annexation to 2-3 settlement blocs Times of Israel 26 June 2020
Explainer: Israel, annexation and the West Bank BBC News Online 25 June 2020
Israeli annexation of parts of the Palestinian West Bank would break international law – UN experts call on the international community to ensure accountability OHCHR News 16 June 2020
Israel's West Bank annexation plan condemned by UN experts BBC News Online 16 June 2020
Palestinians 'ending accords with Israel and US' over annexation plan BBC News Online 25 May 2020
Netanyahu: Settlement annexation will bring peace The Jerusalem Post Lahav Harkov 17 May 2020
EU 'to rally against Israel's West Bank annexation proposal' BBC News Online 15 May 2020
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UN publishes list of companies with ties to Israeli settlements The Guardian Oliver Holmes 12 February 2020
U.S. ambassador to Israel warns against West Bank annexation Politico 9 February 2020
Trump Middle East plan: Palestinians reject 'conspiracy' BBC News Online 29 January 2020
The US policy shift on Israeli settlements will not stop Palestinians persevering The Guardian Raja Shehadeh 21 November 2019
The White House Says Israeli Settlements in the West Bank Are No Longer Illegal. Here's What That Means Time Joseph Hincks 19 November 2019
Israel and the Palestinians: Can the settlement issue be solved? BBC News Online 18 November 2019
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3. Press releases
Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary meeting with Jared Kushner, 3 September 2020 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 4 September 2020
A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met with US Senior Advisor to the President, Jared Kushner, to discuss the Middle East Peace Process following Mr Kushner’s recent visit to the region. They welcomed the historic Israel-UAE normalisation deal, and discussed wider US efforts to facilitate the normalisation of ties between Israel and Arab States. The Foreign Secretary updated Mr Kushner on his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and his encouragement of a return to cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships, as a first step on the road to a renewed Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary were clear about their commitment to a negotiated two state solution.
Securing peace between Israel and the Palestinians Foreign and Commonwealth Office 25 August 2020
Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe, Acting UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the Middle East:
Thank you, Mr President, and thank you to Mr Mladenov for his briefing.
Mr President, as others have done, I would like to say a few words about Lebanon. The devastating explosion in Beirut has caused enormous suffering and damage, as Mr Mladenov also set out. Our sympathies go out to all those who have been affected by this tragedy and who have lost loved ones. The UK stands with the Lebanese people in this hour of need. Our 25 million pound package of humanitarian support, as well as our technical experts who were deployed within days of the explosion, will help to address some of the critical needs of the most vulnerable in Lebanon. And the deployment of HMS Enterprise, one of our naval ships, on the 10th of August, also complements these efforts. Our support to the Lebanese army in their efforts to respond to the disaster is also critical.
Turning to the topic of today’s discussion, Mr President, I would like to start by welcoming the announcement on the 13th of August, as set out by Ambassador Kelly, of the normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and, in particular, the suspension of Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 7
As my Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have said, this is an historic step which sees the normalisation of relations between two great friends of the United Kingdom. The UK has consistently made clear in this Council our firm opposition to annexation, which would have been contrary to international law, counterproductive to securing peace in the region and a severe blow to the prospects of the two-state solution. We therefore profoundly hope that this moment can be used as a step towards direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as there can be no substitute for direct talks in order to reach a two-state solution and a lasting peace.
My Foreign Secretary is in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories today, encouraging both leaders to push forward on this momentum of this announcement. The UK stands ready to support this endeavour.
Mr President, despite this positive development, we are concerned by other negative trends on the ground. The number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise across the region. Meanwhile, Hamas has been launching IEDs and firing rockets into Israel. Such actions by Hamas are unacceptable, and we call on them to cease immediately.
The current situation continues to have a devastating impact on the people living in Gaza in particular. As ever, dialogue can be the only way to address the situation. We call on Israel to lift movement and access restrictions and allow fuel to enter Gaza, which is vital to power hospitals, water and sewage treatment. More broadly, we encourage the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel to urgently resume cooperation across all files – security, economic and civil – at this critical time.
While the shadow of annexation appears to be lifted, we remain concerned about the potential for further settlement advancements, continued demolitions and evictions. Mr President, we are also concerned by continued acts of violence and we’re alarmed to hear of the shooting on the 17th of August at Qalandiya checkpoint of a Palestinian who was unarmed and deaf. The use of lethal force should only be deployed as a last resort.
I would like to finish by reiterating the UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East peace process. We support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting such efforts towards peace in the Middle East.
Thank you, Mr President.
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Foreign Secretary to press for renewed dialogue in Israel and OPTs Foreign and Commonwealth Office 24 August 2020
Dominic Raab will meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to reinforce the UK's commitment to a negotiated two-state solution. • the Foreign Secretary’s official visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) will involve meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders – Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas • Dominic Raab will emphasise the UK’s strong and enduring commitment to Israel’s security and stress the necessity of a negotiated two-state solution to realise justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. He will also stress the need for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and wider cooperation on development, trade and coronavirus. • this week’s visit comes following the historic normalisation of UAE-Israeli relations and the suspension of Israeli annexation plans. In light of the normalisation of relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel and the suspension of the annexation of the West Bank, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is visiting Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week to press for renewed dialogue between their governments and reinforce UK commitment to preventing annexation and pursuing a negotiated two-state solution.
He will also use his trip to Israel to emphasise the UK’s commitment to Israel’s security and to our strong and enduring relationship. The visit comes following the announcement that the UAE and Israel would normalise relations; a move the UK welcomed as a much-needed boost for peace in the region.
Israel also announced earlier this month that it would suspend plans to annex parts of the West Bank. The UK had been calling for this for some time, with the Prime Minister warning that annexation would jeopardise the progress that Israel has made in improving relations with the Arab and Muslim world.
The UK has consistently encouraged a solution that allows justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Ahead of his visit, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: The UK remains committed to Israel’s security and stability, and the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE was an important moment for the region. Israel’s suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East. It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two state solution required to secure lasting peace. In Israel, the Foreign Secretary will meet his counterpart, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, after which he will hold bilateral talks with Minister of Defense and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, followed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Raab will reiterate the UK’s The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 9
commitment to Israeli security and welcome the recent suspension of annexation plans.
In Ramallah, the Foreign Secretary will meet the Palestinian leadership, President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh. He will reaffirm UK opposition to annexation – which is illegal under international law – and call on the Palestinians to resume co-operation with Israel and pursue direct negotiations, as a step towards a negotiated two-state solution and a viable, sovereign Palestinian state.
The UK does not underestimate the challenges to reaching a negotiated two-state solution, but the Foreign Secretary’s visit will affirm Britain’s willingness to help facilitate a return to Israeli-Palestinian dialogue as a step towards achieving a lasting, peaceful solution for both peoples.
Moving toward peace negotiations in the Middle East Foreign and Commonwealth Office 21 July 2020
Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the Middle East:
Thank you, Mr President. I’d like to welcome you to the Council today and thank you for giving me the floor. Thank you also to Nikolai for your briefing and of course for the continued efforts you and your team are making on the ground. And I want to thank also our two civil society briefers who I thought were very interesting and passionate in what they had to say, and for their work. And of course, it’s always nice to hear from my good colleagues, the DPRs of Israel and the Observer State of Palestine. Thank you all.
Mr President, as we have heard, this is a fragile and worrying period. I want to say, firstly, we remain deeply concerned about the prospect of annexation. Not only would this be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contradict international law, it would also compound the already fragile health and humanitarian situation. The priority must be on preventing annexation and finding alternative ways for the parties to engage. And I reiterate that the United Kingdom will not recognise any changes to the 1967 lines except those agreed between both parties.
Ultimately, we want to see both sides make meaningful steps towards a just, fair and agreed settlement. As my Prime Minister said to both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas earlier this month, we want to see Israelis and Palestinians return to the negotiating table. And the United Kingdom offers its full support in fostering such dialogue.
Now is the time for Israel to make clear that it will not take any unilateral steps towards annexation. Now is the time for both parties to resume cooperation, particularly in regards to security. And now is the time for the Palestinians to reach out to the United States and to Israel so that we can begin the journey back to negotiations.
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Mr President, in creating the environment of trust needed for dialogue, we call on both parties to avoid further provocative rhetoric or actions. We call for accountability against incitement on both sides and for Israel to freeze all settlement activity, stop demolitions and actively prevent settler violence. The advancement of settlement plans, including in Givat Hamatos, Bar Homa and E1 is of particular concern. All settlements are illegal under international law. Settlement construction in these highly sensitive areas threatens to further undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem.
In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force by the Israeli authorities - as appears to be the case in the killing of the Eyad Falak in May - we expect full, transparent investigations. There must be serious reflection on what causes such use of force to be deemed necessary. Meanwhile, we saw a steady increase in indirect fire attacks from Gaza into Israel from late May until early July. This shows the very real and unacceptable intent of militant Palestinian groups towards Israeli civilians. Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security.
Mr President, COVID-19 remains a serious and significant threat in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The cooperation between UN agencies, the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel during the first wave was welcomed, ensuring that essential medical supplies and staff were able to access Gaza and the West Bank. Faced with rising numbers of COVID cases, we call on the parties to resume cooperation, making joint efforts to protect equally both Israelis and Palestinians.
Mr President, I’d like to finish by reiterating once again the United Kingdom’s longstanding position on the Middle East peace process. We support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 lines with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states and a just fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. And the United Kingdom stands ready to support that objective in any way that we can.
Thank you, Mr President.
PM call with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing St 14 July 2020
The Prime Minister spoke to Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority this evening.
He reiterated the UK’s commitment to the two state solution and our opposition to annexation proposals in the West Bank.
The Prime Minister urged President Abbas to engage in negotiations and offered the UK’s support to foster dialogue.
The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 11
The leaders agreed to continue to work together on this issue and others.
PM call with PM Netanyahu Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing St 6 July 2020
The Prime Minister spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, this evening.
The Prime Minister set out his concerns about plans to annex parts of the West Bank unilaterally and cautioned that this would set back the prospects for peace in the region.
He reiterated his personal support for Israel and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to return to negotiations with the Palestinians.
The leaders also underlined their ongoing commitment to UK-Israel trade and discussed the global response to coronavirus, agreeing to continue working together to tackle the pandemic.
Securing a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians Foreign and Commonwealth Office 20 May 2020
Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen at the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East:
Thank you, Mr President. Thank you also to SRSG Mladenov for his briefing. I would like to begin by welcoming the swearing in of the new Israeli Government. The United Kingdom looks forward to working with this government on a whole range of bilateral and regional issues, not least peace in the Middle East.
We do, however, remain deeply concerned about the prospects of annexation of parts of the West Bank. Annexation of any part of the West Bank by Israel would be a clear violation of international law and would profoundly damage efforts to restart peace negotiations. We instead encourage the new Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work towards a lasting agreement based on a two-state solution.
To this end, the United Kingdom appreciates the proposals which the Palestinian Authority has made for renewed dialogue. As part of this, we look to the Palestinian leadership to offer detailed proposals for a settlement, and find a means of restarting discussions with the United States, who retain a key role in the Middle East Peace Process.
Mr President, we are disappointed by the announcement by President Abbas yesterday. Now is the time for more cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, not less. Security cooperation is particularly important. Instability is in no one’s interest, except extremists. It is critical that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority 12 Number CDP-0089, 22 September 2020
work together to meet their obligations under the Oslo Accords, and refrain from unilateral actions that could set back the cause of peace.
The United Kingdom remains committed to achieving a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees.
We reiterate our call on the Government of Israel to halt any activity that makes peace more difficult to achieve. This includes advancement of settlement plans including in Givat Hamatos, Har Homa, and in E1. All settlements are illegal under International Humanitarian Law. Settlement construction in these highly sensitive areas threatens to further undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem. We also remain concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property, and repeated incidents of settler violence. Perpetrators must be held to account.
At the same time, we call on the Palestinian Authority to tackle incitement and anti-Semitism which create a non-conducive environment for cooperation and negotiations. The United Kindgom strongly condemns the use of racist, hateful or anti-Semitic language.
Mr President, we remain deeply concerned by the ongoing cycle of violence. Recent weeks have seen the killing of an IDF soldier in Jenin and the killing of a number of Palestinians across the West Bank. Among those Palestinians killed was 15-year-old Zaid Al-Qaysiya from Hebron who died as a result of IDF live fire. Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security. The ongoing violence underlines that a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians is long overdue. We urge continued calm in Gaza. Indiscriminate attacks against civilians are unacceptable.
Finally, Mr President, I would like to thank the Government of Israel for pledging on behalf of Israel $60 million to the international fund for vaccines at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Summit on 4 May. During this global crisis, cooperation is vital, and we continue to welcome the ongoing cooperation between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards tackling COVID-19, as well as the important part played by the United Nations.
It is our hope that the positive cooperation we have seen in response to COVID-19 will translate into cooperation to achieve a negotiated settlement to the Middle East peace process.
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Release of US proposals for Middle East peace: Foreign Secretary's statement Foreign and Commonwealth Office 28 January 2020
Following the release of US proposals for Middle East peace, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: We welcome the release of the United States’ proposal for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. This is clearly a serious proposal, reflecting extensive time and effort. A peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians that leads to peaceful coexistence could unlock the potential of the entire region, and provide both sides with the opportunity for a brighter future. Only the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian territories can determine whether these proposals can meet the needs and aspirations of the people they represent. We encourage them to give these plans genuine and fair consideration, and explore whether they might prove a first step on the road back to negotiations.
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4. Parliamentary material 4.1 PQs Israeli Settlements 14 Sep 2020 | HL7735
Asked by: Baroness Tonge To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made, or intend to make, to the government of Israel about Yanun and other Palestinian villages in the West Bank whose land is reportedly being confiscated for Israeli settlements.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office While we have not made representations on these reports, it has long been our position that Israeli settlement activity is illegal. We continue to urge the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to avoid actions that make it more difficult to achieve a negotiated solution to the conflict.
Israel: Palestinians 14 Sep 2020 | HL7734
Asked by: Baroness Tonge To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with the government of Israel to provide protection to Palestinian farmers in the West Bank from attacks by Israeli settlers.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office We are troubled by reports of assaults on farmers and vandalism of agricultural land. We continue to raise with Israeli counterparts our concerns about Israeli settler violence, and continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
Trade Agreements: Israeli Settlements 08 Sep 2020 | 84735
Asked by: Afzal Khan To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has had discussions with her Israeli counterpart on illegal annexation; and if she will take steps to reconsider UK trade deals with settlement territories.
Answering member: Mr Ranil Jayawardena | Department for International Trade HM Government has maintained a dialogue with Israel and we welcome the suspension of Israel’s plans for annexation, which would have been counterproductive to the goal of securing peace in the region.
The United Kingdom does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including settlements, as part of Israel. For this reason, The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 15
the OPTs are not covered by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which currently governs our trade with Israel, nor by the United Kingdom-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, which will enter into force at the end of the Transition Period.
Israel 08 Sep 2020 | 679 c486
Asked by: Rosie Cooper I welcome the Israel-UAE deal, which stops the prospect of any damaging annexation and should bring about normalisation between the two countries. What steps are the Government taking to encourage more Arab states to follow the UAE’s lead and to use it as a catalyst to get lasting negotiated peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians?
Answered by: Dominic Raab | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office I thank the hon. Lady. She is right and there can hopefully be a virtuous cycle of these normalisation agreements. I have been in touch with US authorities, including Jared Kushner when he visited London and Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, and I visited Israel on 25 August, where I not only saw Prime Minister Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister Gantz and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi, but visited the west bank and spoke to President Abbas and Prime Minister Shtayyeh—all with a view to encouraging normalisation with the countries of the region and, now that annexation is at least off the table for the foreseeable future, encouraging greater dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israeli Government.
Israeli Settlements 06 Aug 2020 | HL7479
Asked by: Baroness Tonge To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about reports of the construction of (1) a new settlement near Asira a-Shamaliya on land owned by Palestinians, and (2) earthworks by Israeli armed forces preventing Palestinians from reaching their farmland.
Answering member: Baroness Sugg | Foreign and Commonwealth Office We consistently call for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, including settlement expansion and restrictions on freedom of movement within the West Bank, including to and from East Jerusalem. The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten they physical viability of a two-state solution. We urge Israel to halt settlement expansion immediately. We continue to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions on movement, access and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians. We are encouraging both sides to maintain calm and avoid taking actions which make peace more difficult to achieve.
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Israel: Palestinians 27 Jul 2020 | HL6800
Asked by: The Lord Bishop of Southwark To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work towards a lasting agreement based on a two-state solution.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign and Commonwealth Office The UK remains committed to achieving a two-state solution, based on 1967 lines with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. We continue to work closely with international partners advocating a two-state solution and encouraging a return to meaningful negotiations. The Foreign Secretary did so most recently in a meeting with the French Foreign Minister on 29 June and German Foreign Minister on 19 June. The Foreign Secretary also discussed the Middle East Peace Process and our opposition to the unilateral annexation of territory during calls with Alternate Israeli Prime Minister Gantz and Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi. The Prime Minister has conveyed the UK's opposition to unilateral annexation to Prime Minister Netanyahu on 6 July and encouraged President Abbas to find a means of restarting dialogue with Israel on 14 July.
Middle East 20 Jul 2020 | 74464
Asked by: Theresa Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2020 to Question 69487, if he will make it his policy to refer to the 1949 Armistice Line as the pre-1967 lines and not the 1967 borders.
Answering member: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office The UK's longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. We are clear that the borders should be based on the lines as they stood on June 4 1967 - the eve of the Six Day War - with equal land swaps reflecting the national, security, and religious interests of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. The UK supports UN Security Council Resolution 2334 which paved the way for agreed changes to the 1967 lines as part of a final status deal and as agreed by the parties.
Palestinians: Recognition of States 13 Jul 2020 | HL6312
Asked by: Lord Judd To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have made to recognise the state of Palestine.
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Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign and Commonwealth Office The UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. Bilateral recognition in itself cannot end the occupation. Without a negotiated settlement the occupation and the problems that come with it will continue.
Israel: Palestinians 13 Jul 2020 | HL6268
Asked by: Baroness Tonge To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Palestinians are protected in the West Bank (1) now, and (2) in the future.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign and Commonwealth Office We are committed to the objective of an independent, sovereign and prosperous Palestinian state, living side by side with a safe and secure Israel. That is why we put such emphasis on strengthening Palestinian institutions and fostering sustainable economic growth. Economic progress can never be a substitute for a political settlement, but it is vital in the interim that Palestinians see tangible improvements in their daily lives. We consistently call for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution and are encouraging both sides to maintain calm and avoid taking actions which make peace more difficult to achieve. In terms of our programmes, we fund a number of projects that support Palestinians communities in the West Bank, from the effects of settlement expansion in particular. Our legal aid programme also supports Bedouin communities and Palestinians facing demolition or home eviction in both Area C and East Jerusalem.
Israeli Settlements 13 Jul 2020 | 71146
Asked by: Layla Moran To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Israel on humanitarian access to all parts of (a) the West Bank and (b) the Gaza strip in the event of annexation.
Answering member: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office We are concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and caution against anything that could exacerbate this. Our priority and focus is on preventing annexation. We continue to urge Israel not to take these steps. The Prime Minister has conveyed the UK's opposition to unilateral annexation to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on multiple occasions, including in a phone call on 6 July and a letter in June. The Prime Minister also urged Israel not to proceed in an article in Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on 1 July. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this message in his calls with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Gantz and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi. 18 Number CDP-0089, 22 September 2020
Israeli Settlements 02 Jul 2020 | HL5727
Asked by: Baroness Tonge Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the (1) government of the United States, and (2) the government of Israel, about the new boundaries of the Palestinian Territories after any proposed annexation.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign and Commonwealth Office The Foreign Secretary made clear our concerns about reports that the new Israeli Government coalition has reached an agreement which may pave the way for annexation of parts of the West Bank during a call with Alternate Israeli Prime Minister Gantz on 20 May and Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi on 2 June. We have also reiterated our position to the US. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contrary to international law. Any changes to the status quo cannot be taken forward without an agreement negotiated by the parties themselves.
West Bank: Planned Annexation 30 Jun 2020 | 678 c138
Asked by: Alyn Smith I listened carefully to the previous exchange, and I have much respect for the Minister, but I am not asking him to stamp his feet or bang the table—I am asking him to match the sensible position that he has outlined today on the illegal annexation of the already illegally claimed settlements with some actual action. No amount of warm words and sympathy are going to cut it in this discussion. My party, likewise, is a friend of the two-state solution. We are a friend of the Israeli state, and we are a friend of the Palestinians as well. We want to see a viable solution, but there is a lively debate that we can influence right now within Israel, and we need to put action on the table, not warm words and sympathy. Settlement goods should at the very least be labelled as illegal, and targeted sanctions need to be put on the table to focus the minds of the coalition. I urge him to act, not just talk.
Answered by: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken with his opposite number and other members of the Israeli Government, as have I and indeed our Prime Minister. We are working to dissuade Israel from taking this course of action. There will always be voices in British politics that would jump at any opportunity to bring in sanctions and disinvestment. We do not agree with those voices, and we will continue to work towards a negotiated two-state solution, using the diplomatic means we have at our disposal.
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West Bank: Planned Annexation 30 Jun 2020 | 678 c138
Asked by: Lisa Nandy World leaders are warning of consequences should annexation go ahead, but the silence from this Government has been deafening, so much so that the Israeli newspaper Haaretz says that France is now the world’s “last, best hope” to stop annexation. This really is shameful. I raised my concerns with the US ambassador—has the Minister? Will he commit to a ban on settlement imports and recognise Palestine, as this House voted to do? Forgive me, I may have missed it. If he will not do those things, can he tell us what exactly he is proposing to do?
Answered by: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office The UK remains a friend and ally to the state of Israel and a good friend to the Palestinian people. It is tempting—and I am sure it will placate certain voices on the left of the political spectrum—to stamp our feet and bang the table, but we will continue to dissuade a friend and ally in the state of Israel from taking a course of action that we believe will be against its own interests, and we will do so through the most effective means available.
Israel: Palestinians 17 Jun 2020 | 57197
Asked by: Alex Cunningham To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of changes in the level of (a) attacks by settlers and (b) demolitions of Palestinian structures in the occupied Palestinian territory since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.
Answering member: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office As we made clear at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 May, the UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities, and repeated incidents of settler violence at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. We condemn any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians. We welcome the efforts of Israeli authorities to address settler violence, and urge them to thoroughly investigate every instance to bring those responsible to justice and end the culture of impunity. During this fragile period, we call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical. We have also stressed the importance of the Israel security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
20 Number CDP-0089, 22 September 2020
Israel: Palestinians 20 May 2020 | HL3849
Asked by: Baroness Tonge To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for the government of the United States’ proposals for peace in Israel and Palestine to result in the government of Israel revoking Palestinian people’s citizenship and swapping populated land.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign and Commonwealth Office A peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians that leads to peaceful coexistence could unlock the potential for the entire region, and provide both sides with the opportunity for a brighter future. Only the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians can determine whether US proposals can meet the needs and aspirations of the people they represent. But we encourage them to give these plans genuine and fair consideration, and explore whether they might prove a first step on the road back to negotiations. The UK would strongly oppose any unilateral action by either party. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contrary to international law.
Jerusalem 12 May 2020 | 43948
Asked by: Neil Coyle To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of Israeli's compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 476 and 478 on the annexation of Jerusalem.
Answering member: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office Our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing: The UK recognises Israel's "de facto authority" over West Jerusalem. But in line with Security Council Resolution 242 and subsequent Council resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as under Israeli military occupation. The UK believes that Jerusalem's final status must be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states.
Occupied Palestinian Territories 11 May 2020 | 676 c20
Asked by: Clive Betts I am pleased to hear the Minister condemn any proposed annexation of territories in the west bank by the Israeli Government. Will he go further and accept that such an annexation would render any future Palestinian state unviable, would destroy its geographical integrity, and as such would render a two-state solution obsolete? Is it not absolutely essential The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 21
that the Government act now with others to stop the Israelis annexing territory in the way that they currently intend?
Answered by: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office As I said, our long-standing position is that we do not support the annexation of parts of the west bank, as doing so could make a sustainable two-state solution harder. We support actions by the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority that take us closer to a sustainable two-state solution, and we express our concerns about anything that might put that at risk.
Israel: Palestinians 17 Mar 2020 | 26994
Asked by: James Murray To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2020 to Question 13562 on Politics and Government, whether he has made an assessment of the adherence of the US Administration's framework for a Palestinian state to the statehood criteria of (a) ability to exercise effective control of territory and (b) independence in their external relations.
Answering member: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office The United Kingdom supports Palestinians in realising self-determination through a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. We hope that the US initiative may lead to a first step on the road back to negotiations. It is through such negotiations that the parties will determine the specifics of how the aim of two states is to be achieved.
Israeli Settlements: Palestinians 16 Mar 2020 | HL2194
Asked by: Baroness Tonge To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about reports that settler-only roads have been created in the West Bank.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign and Commonwealth Office While we have not made representations on this specifically, we continue to oppose settlement expansion in the OPTs. Our policy is clear: settlements are illegal under international law. On 24 February, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa condemned the advancement of 1,077 housing units in East Jerusalem, reiterating settlement construction undermines the viability of a future Palestinian State. On 28 February a Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson expressed concern over the advancement of 1,737 housing units in settlements across the West Bank. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have also raised our concerns about restrictions on 22 Number CDP-0089, 22 September 2020
freedom of movement in the West Bank with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 17 December 2019.
Israeli Settlements: UN Resolutions 03 Mar 2020 | 2006
Asked by: James Murray To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the Israeli Government (a) implements and (b) adheres to UN Security Council Resolution 2334.
Answering member: James Cleverly | Foreign and Commonwealth Office We have long supported balanced UN resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334 that addressed incitement and settlements. We do not hesitate to raise instances of incitement. We have a regular dialogue with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority in which we reiterate the need for both sides to prepare their populations for peaceful coexistence, including by promoting a more positive portrayal of each other. As I made clear in my statement on 24 February, the UK's position on Israeli settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law and damaging to renewed efforts to launch peace negotiations. I last raised settlements with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 26 February. We urge Israel to halt its settlement expansion immediately.
Israel: Palestinians 12 Feb 2020 | 12305
Asked by: Yasmin Qureshi To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether it remains the policy of the UK Government to support a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would lead to Jerusalem as a shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states.
Answering member: Dr Andrew Murrison | Foreign and Commonwealth Office The UK's longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear and has not changed: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. It must also ensure Jerusalem is a shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states, with access and religious rights of both peoples respected.
Middle East Peace Plan 04 Feb 2020 | 671 c163
Asked by: Wes Streeting A peace plan without Palestinian participation is not a peace plan—it is an annexation plan. Can the Secretary of State assure us that the The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 23
Government will not accept either this plan or any unilateral annexation plan, and perhaps take the step now to recognise an independent Palestinian state before there is no state left to recognise?
Answered by: Dominic Raab | Foreign and Commonwealth Office I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that any annexation unilaterally would be contrary to international law, damaging to peace efforts, and cannot go unchallenged, but the answer is to get both sides around the negotiating table. That is why not only the UK but the French, the Italians, EU High Representative Josep Borrell, Japan, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Oman have all called for the parties, based on this initiative, to come back to talks.
4.2 Debates Israel and Palestine: United States’ Proposals for Peace 27 Feb 2020 | 802 cc351-383 Lords motion to take note of the United States' proposals for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, announced on 28 January. Agreed to on question.
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5. FCO report
Human Rights and Democracy: the 2019 Foreign and Commonwealth Office report [Extract] Foreign and Commonwealth Office 16 July 2020
6.14 The State of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories 2019 saw continued violations by the Government of Israel (GoI) of human rights and international humanitarian law in the context of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza (Occupied Palestinian Territories, or OPTs). Human rights abuses by the Palestinian Authority (PA), and by Hamas, the de facto administration in Gaza, continued.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was exacerbated by protests and escalations of violence between Israel and Palestinian armed groups. According to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a unit within the Israeli Ministry of Defence, 2,656 rockets and mortars, and 887 incendiary devices, were launched during 2019 into Israeli territory, causing 286 fires. In total, 5 Israeli civilians were killed. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 107 Palestinians were killed, including 36 by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces.
In March, a UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) issued its report into alleged violations during the demonstrations in Gaza in 2018. The CoI concluded there were grounds to believe that in 187 of 189 fatalities, the use of live ammunition by Israeli security forces against demonstrators was unlawful. It did not investigate Hamas abuses, stating there was little information available. Israel referred eleven incidents of lethal force to the Military Attorney General for further investigation. In one case, one Israeli soldier was convicted. The UK continued to call for investigations into, and accountability for, excessive use of force in Gaza and the West Bank.
The UK continued to fund projects to help address Israeli restrictions on movement and access to and from Gaza, including legal advocacy to facilitate exit permits for traders and for Gazans seeking professional and educational opportunities.
Israel continued its systemic policy of settlement expansion, a breach of international humanitarian law, which the UK continued to oppose. During 2019, Israel advanced 9,865 units in the West Bank.
Israeli demolitions of Palestinian structures increased. According to the UN OCHA, 621 structures were demolished or seized in 2019, including 203 in East Jerusalem; the highest number of demolitions there since 2000. 914 Palestinians were displaced during 2019. In April, Israel introduced a one-year pilot of a new military order to fast-track demolitions with less discretion for judicial review. In July, Israeli authorities demolished ten Palestinian homes in areas where planning powers nominally reside with the PA. The UK continued to fund legal aid for Palestinians contesting eviction and demolition cases. The settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian Territories 25
UN OCHA reported that 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank in 2019. The Israeli Security Agency (ISA) reported that in 2019 4 Israeli civilians were killed in the West Bank, as well one Israeli soldier. According to UN OCHA, the number of acts of violence and vandalism perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians increased for the third year running. ISA recorded 1,132 violent attacks by Palestinians in the West Bank. In January, Israel did not renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron. The UK expressed its concern over the development through a statement by the then Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt.
The number of Palestinian minors in Israeli detention decreased, with 186 detained at the end of 2019. We continued to seek improvements in their treatment. There were some improvements to legal access. The Fourth Geneva Convention provides that protected persons accused of offences shall be detained in the occupied territory. According to the UN Secretary-General, most Palestinian prisoners continued to be held in Israel.
We continued to urge the PA to respect human rights, ensure that complaints of ill treatment were properly investigated, and improve the security sector’s compliance with international human rights standards. The PA drafted legislation to establish a National Preventive Mechanism against Torture, which would visit detention facilities and report on conditions.
In the West Bank, the PA continued to restrict space for civil society and freedom of expression. In October, a PA court ordered the shutdown of 59 news websites. However, the number of Palestinians detained in cases related to freedom of expression decreased. The UK called for the strengthening of respect for media freedom, including through legislative amendments.
In Gaza, Hamas continued to exercise strict control over civil society. In March, it violently cracked down on a protest against socioeconomic conditions, beating and detaining many demonstrators.
Hamas issued 2 death sentences in 2019. While the UK maintains a no- contact policy with Hamas, we made clear publicly our objections to its use of the death penalty.
Despite commitments from the PA on the protection of women, significant work continued to be required to improve access to justice and financial capital. Positive steps would include adopting the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women in full, and enshrining the Family Protection Bill in law.
Israel remained a robust open democracy with a vibrant civil society. However, pressure continued on those criticising Israel’s conduct in the OPTs, including rhetorical attacks by politicians, and visa delays and denials for activists working in the OPTs. In November, Israel expelled Human Rights Watch Country Director Omar Shakir, citing his alleged support for boycott actions against Israel.
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6. Further reading Commons Library briefing Annexation of the West Bank Commons Briefing Paper CBP-8937 10 June 2020
Lords Library briefing Israel-Palestine: The New US Peace Deal Lords Research Briefing 13 February 2020
US Government Peace Plan Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People White House 28 January 2020
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