Thank you for contacting me about the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and the E1 Settlement Plan.
The UK's position, which I support, is clear and longstanding. There should be 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 fair and realistic settlement for refugees. The UK Government consistently calls – both bilaterally and via the UN – for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution.
This includes the eviction of Palestinians from their homes, the demolition of Palestinian property – homes, schools and so forth – and Israeli settlements in the OPTs. Indeed, the UK is clear that these actions 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 of cases, are contrary to international humanitarian law. The Fourth Geneva Convention, which applies to all occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, prohibits demolitions or forced evictions absent military necessity.
Settlement expansion is also particularly counterproductive in light of the normalisation agreements reached between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco in the last few years.
The UK repeatedly raises our opposition to these actions with the Israeli authorities, both bilaterally and in cooperation with like-minded diplomatic partners, including at a ministerial level. The UK also regularly makes our position clear on the world stage, including via the main organs of UN such as the Security Council, Human Rights Council and General Assembly.
The British Consulate in Jerusalem is monitoring the situation in Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and throughout occupied East Jerusalem closely. Officials based there regularly observe evictions and attend related court hearings, including to call on Israel to stop such practices.
During her visit to the OPTs in June, Minister for the Middle East, Amanda Milling, heard how the E1 settlement plan would seriously hinder a two-state solution and prospects of peace. Minister Milling also heard first-hand accounts from Palestinian people living in constant fear of evictions and demolitions and took the opportunity to raise these issues with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister. The UK strongly opposes such evictions, which cause unnecessary suffering, and urges the Israeli Government to end settlement expansion.