Vol. 565 No. 1
77 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the policy of land confiscation by the Israeli authorities in Palestine, in particular on the case (details supplied) currently before the Israeli Supreme Court regarding which his Department has been contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9846/03]
The Government has consistently taken the view that the transfer of its own population into occupied territory by an occupying power is a flagrant breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The settlements established in the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip by the Israeli authorities are illegal and must be dismantled. Land seizures by the occupation forces for purposes of settlement are null and void.
The case referred to by the Deputy appears to be a particularly disturbing example of this policy in action. My Department will follow closely the progress of this case before the Supreme Court of Israel, where the next hearing is due on 27 April.
Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 52.
