Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated) on Tuesday, 20 February 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 March 2018. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 March 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Israel: Bedouin

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the demolition of two classrooms in the school of the Abu al-Nawwar Bedouin community in East Jerusalem.

Answer: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv most recently discussed the issue of demolitions of Palestinian property with the Israeli authorities on 22 February. On 6 February the EU released a local statement expressing strong concerns about demolition by the Israeli authorities of parts of the school of the Bedouin community of Abu Nuwar. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; call into question Israel’s commitment to a viable two-state solution; and, in all but the most exceptional cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

Secondary information