BETHLEHEM AND RACHEL'S TOMB

Early day motion 1803, tabled 13 March 2006 by Roger Berry (Labour). Signed by 94 members.

That this House calls attention to the completion of the section of the 8-metre high concrete wall separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem; notes that around 40 Bethlehem families will be cut off from schools and medical facilities; recalls the ruling of the International Court of Justice in July 2004 that the building of the wall on occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful; further notes that the shrine of Rachel's Tomb, sacred to the three major religions, has been purposefully enveloped by the route of the walls and is therefore barred to Palestinians, whether Christian or Muslim; takes heed of widespread anxiety that new Israeli settlement building on the confiscated land around the Tomb may be about to begin with the consequence that Bethlehem may follow the example of Hebron, where recent Israeli settlements are embedded in the midst of the local Palestinian population, causing great provocation; and further notes the warning of Bethlehem's mayor, Dr Victor Batarseh, that `the ghettoization of Bethlehem is not only destroying ancient communities, but is destroying the prospects of peace in the Middle East and the whole concept of international law'.

Signatures by party: Labour 66, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 6, Scottish National Party 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2.