Israel and Palestine: Energy Supplies

Baroness Northover
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What actions they are taking in response to reports that Dor Alon, the Israeli energy company, received instructions from the Defence Ministry to reduce shipments of fuel and electricity supplies to Gaza. [HL51]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown)
The Government are deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the recent reports that the Israeli Government have restricted the supply of fuel and are considering electricity cuts. My right honourable friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development issued a statement on 30 October detailing our concerns. This statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename =OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid =1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1193597605085& year=2007&month=2007-10-01.

We have also raised our concerns with the Israeli ambassador in London and our ambassador in Tel Aviv has raised the issue with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem.