Alistair Burt, Minister covering Israel and Palestine in the Foreign Office, has responded to Mark Williams MP about the injustice faced by Samer Issawi, who is on hunger strike in protest at being held without charge or trial.
Alistair Burt says
“We have lobbied the Israeli authorities that those on hunger strike receive appropriate medical care and have encouraged all sides to reach a solution that prevents loss of life.”
He goes on to say
“We remain concerned about Israel’s extensive use of administrative detention and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners, and continue to call on Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law.
More generally we have consistently raised with Israeli authorities our longstanding concerns about the situation and treatment of Palestinians held in Israeli detention. ”
Despite describing ‘regular dialogue’ the Government has made no commitment to taking any political, economic, trade or diplomatic steps to censure Israel if their infringements of international law continue. Their protests are therefore toothless.
PSC calls for Actions Not Words