Jerusalem: Cultural Heritage
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will send a formal delegation to (a) Israel and (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territories to (i) visit the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, (ii) meet the Armenian community and (iii) meet with the Save the Arq movement.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
The UK recognises that Jerusalem holds particular significance for many groups around the globe, especially the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It has been the position of the UK Government since 1967 that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel. In line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Our officials at the British Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly meet with members of the Christian community and Churches in Jerusalem, including the Armenian Patriarchate, to understand the impact of issues affecting their community.
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