The Government does not consider that suspension of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with Israel would serve any useful purpose. Any such action, as a practical matter, would have undesirable consequences, such as undercutting as far as Israel is concerned, the role which the European Union has in the peace process, blocking Palestinian trade with the European Union and rendering the continuation of our programmes of assistance to the Palestinian Authority and people more difficult to implement.
Article 2 of the association agreement reinforces obligations which already fall to the signatories with respect to human rights. The European Union, especially at the meetings of the association councils with Israel, has conveyed its concerns to the Israeli authorities at the human rights implications of its security policies. Together with our partners in the Union, we will continue to take these opportunities to press the Israeli Government to respect fully its obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular the fourth Geneva Convention, and under article 2 of the association agreement.
I am aware that human rights organisations have expressed the concerns to which the Deputy refers. My Department has regular contacts with many non-governmental organisations concerned with human rights, political and development issues in the Palestinian Territories.
