Written Question:

Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Israel on the continued building of illegal settlements. [306766]

Member Answering Question: Ivan Lewis MP, Minister of State:

Answer: Settlements, including in East Jerusalem, are illegal and an obstacle to peace. We want Israel's 25 November 2009 announcement on a settlement moratorium to become a step towards resuming meaningful negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. We continue to call for a full settlement freeze in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including so-called 'natural growth', in accordance with the responsibilities in the 2003 Roadmap.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has reiterated the UK position to the Israeli Government on several occasions, most recently in his telephone conversation with the Israeli Foreign Minister on 25 November 2009.