Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary about West Bank
Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, about Israel’s increasing settler presence on the West Bank, in particular the area of Masafer Yatta.
Since 21 January, Israel’s military offensive across the West Bank has killed at least 51 Palestinians, including many children, and over 40,000 have been forcibly displaced.
Earlier this year, Amnesty International raised concerns that one of the remaining 12 communities that make up the area of Masafer Yatta – the community of Shi’b Al-Butum – was at risk of forcible transfer.
Stephen recently wrote to the Foreign Secretary asking whether he will consider sanctions if Israel proceeds with the forced transfer. Having sent the letter, Stephen said “What’s going on in the West Bank is completely intolerable and against international law. I will continue to support the Government as they work with international partners to resolve these illegal actions.”
In March, the Middle East Minister reaffirmed that the government’s “…long-standing position is that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible.”
The Foreign Secretary’s reply will be published on the Middle East Hub when Stephen receives it.