Thank you for contacting me about Israel.
Support for international humanitarian law (IHL) is a fundamental element of the UK's foreign policy. As a country, we have a strong history of upholding and promoting IHL, and we consistently call on state and non-state actors alike to respect IHL and to act in accordance with their obligations under it. Indeed, the UK repeatedly calls on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and regularly emphasises the importance of treating prisoners and detainees humanely and in accordance with IHL.
Nevertheless, the number of Palestinians who have been detained and imprisoned in the West Bank is concerning. Reports of Palestinians being imprisoned without a fair trial in contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Israel is a signatory, is particularly concerning; as is the continued transfer of Palestinian child detainees to prisons inside Israel, in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv is in regular dialogue with Israel on this issue, and the UK also continues to fund projects providing legal aid to minors and capacity building to local lawyers. More generally, I am trying to bring a Debate in Parliament on the topic of Political prisoners.
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories remain a human rights priority for the FCDO. As befits this status, the UK will continue to monitor issues closely and raise them.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.