Israel

House of Lords written question – answered at on 21 January 2011.

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Photo of Lord Hylton Lord Hylton Crossbench

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the evidence provided by Defence for Children International that the Israeli Army has used children as human shields since at least 2002, contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention, and continues to do so, despite the ruling by Israel's Supreme Court in 2005; and what action they plan to take.

Photo of Lord Howell of Guildford Lord Howell of Guildford Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (International Energy Policy)

We condemn the use of civilians as human shields. This is strictly forbidden under Israeli law, in line with the Fourth Geneva Convention's proscription of the procedure.

We welcomed the investigation of two Israeli soldiers who were convicted of using a Palestinian boy as a human shield during Operation Cast Lead. They both received suspended sentences and have been demoted.

Such incidents highlight the need for Israel's investigations into allegations in the Goldstone Report and those made by non-governmental organisations to be transparent, independent and credible. We continue to make this clear.

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