To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the number of Palestinian citizens previously living in Gaza who have taken refuge inside Israel; and if he will make a statement. (283653)

We have not received reports on the number of Palestinian citizens previously living in Gaza who have taken refuge inside Israel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on demolitions of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement. (283727)

The demolition of houses in East Jerusalem is, with very few exceptions, illegal under international law. It also threatens the viability of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in the Middle East.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear the UK’s concerns about the demolition of Palestinian buildings in East Jerusalem during his statement to the UN Security Council on 11 May 2009 and it was also raised during the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting on 15 June 2009.

The Foreign Secretary also continues to call on Israel to freeze settlement construction, including in East Jerusalem. We will continue to raise these issues as a high priority with Israel both privately and publicly; the Foreign Secretary last did so in his conversation with the Israeli Foreign Minister on 1 July 2009.