The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG) held this meeting to hear about the current situation on the ground in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Earlier this year, Sandra Horne spent 5 months as a volunteer with the International Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).

The PHRG would like to thank Richard Burden MP for chairing this event.

The main points raised:

• EAPPI volunteers provide protective accompaniment to vulnerable communities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. EAPPI then reports on what they have witnessed to the UN, ICRC and other NGOs, as well as to Governments.
• There are more than 500,000 Israeli citizens in the West Bank, based both in authorised settlements and in illegal outposts. All the settlements are illegal under international law and their presence is increasing
• The settlements have wide-ranging impacts on Palestinian life, including restricted access to water and electricity and increased Israeli military presence.
• The Israeli Government’s E1 Plan would extend settlements to join up with Greater Jerusalem. If it goes ahead, it would sever access to East Jerusalem for Palestinians in the West Bank.
• Bedouin communities who live in the path of the E1 plan are facing the demolition of their homes and forced displacement. They currently have no access to water or electricity.
• The UK Government is encouraged to increase the pressure to end the settlements, including by focussing on restricting trade with settlements.
• However, the UK Government has recently proposed the introduction of new rules to block UK councils and local authorities from boycotting Israeli settlement products. See more here.

The EAPPI blog provides eye-witness reports, personal stories, photos and videos from their volunteers.

The PHRG will continue to monitor the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and raise our concerns where possible.