Thank you for contacting me about evictions in East Jerusalem.
I share your concern about the violence we witnessed in Jerusalem. My thoughts are with all those affected, especially the families of those civilians killed.
The UK is clear that evictions of Palestinians from their homes causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, calls 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 and the Fourth Geneva Convention, the latter of which applies to all occupied territories, and prohibits demolitions or forced evictions absent military necessity. I join ministers in calling for them to cease with immediate effect.
The UK regularly makes clear our concerns about the evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem to the Israeli authorities and the Municipality of Jerusalem, both bilaterally and in co-operation with like-minded diplomatic partners, including at a ministerial level. The former Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. 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 Consul General to Jerusalem visited families at risk of eviction in Sheikh Jarrah on 3 May to reiterate the UK's opposition to the practice. On 8 May Minister Cleverly publicly expressed concern over tensions in Jerusalem linked to the threatened eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah.
Officials from the British Consulate in Jerusalem attended court hearings related to ongoing eviction cases on 3 August, and publicly reiterated the UK's position. I join them and indeed my ministerial colleagues in urging Israel to cease such actions permanently.
