Concern: Baldry

Israel should ease crippling movement restrictions on the Palestinians, senior MPs have said.

Serious concern was expressed by MPs on the international development committee who warned limits imposed by the Israeli government are causing "soaring poverty" in the West Bank and Gaza.

Limiting travel and access to water, as well as building a massive security fence have had a major impact on the Palestinians, said Thursday's report.

The MPs, who have conducted a six-month investigation, also accused the Israelis of deliberately using the restrictions as a way of bringing the Palestinian population to heel.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition rates in Gaza and parts of the West Bank are at the same level as in sub-Saharan Africa.

The regional unemployment rate of around 60 per cent was described as "staggering".

The Israeli government has defended its restrictions as a security measure to protect against a wave of suicide bombings by extremists.

The targeting of innocent civilians by the bombers was "indefensible" and the MPs also concluded the Palestinian Authority has not been more vocal in its condemnation.

Motive

But although sympathetic to Israeli safety concerns, the committee questioned the motive behind the limits imposed by the Sharon government.

"It is hard to avoid the conclusion that there is a deliberate Israeli approach of putting the lives of ordinary Palestinians under stress as part of a strategy to bring the population to heel," they said.

The construction of the security barrier was a particular source of concern to the MPs should have been built on Israeli land.

Ministers

Ministers were urged to take a more forceful approach.

"The construction process and path which the barrier takes support Palestinian fears about the motivation which lies behind it," said the MPs.

The committee sought to head of claims of prejudice.

"Our report is a balanced assessment of the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories," said committee chairman Tony Baldry.

"It shows that Israel's security policy is having a marked impact on everyday life.

"Key measures, such as the construction of a security barrier higher than the Berlin wall, may bring the mirage of immediate security to Israelis, but the level of despair felt by ordinary Palestinians at being denied an ordinary life can only increase the supply of suicide bombers."

Warning

Baldry warned of the wider consequences.

"Israel's current policy is creating widespread despair and destitution," he said.

"In such conditions, extremism can flourish, suicide bombers can be easily recruited and Palestinian leaders are unlikely to make concessions. This downward spiral is in no-one's interests."