Responding to today’s Petitions Committee debate on two e-petitions relating to the ongoing war in Gaza – calling for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state and a suspension of all arms sales to Israel – Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer MP set out the UK’s approach to the conflict in Gaza.
On the subject of unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, he said: “We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state, and we will do so at the time most conducive to the long-term prospects for peace. We must take that step when we think that it will make the greatest contribution to bringing about the reality of a sovereign Palestinian state, alongside a secure Israel, which I know is the end goal we all agree on.
Many Members have referenced the decisions of allies. We watch those carefully and discuss the issues diplomatically, as one might expect. Simply saying a thing does not make it so, however, and this Government are driving their efforts towards the practical questions: creating the conditions necessary for a two-state solution to become a reality.”
Later adding: “We want to make a contribution to an advance of the position towards a two-state solution. As so many Members have said this afternoon, that feels horribly and dangerously distant at this time, but we think that the recognition of the state of Palestine can make a contribution to that process, and we want to see it on a more stable footing than we are at the current time.”
On the 101 Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, including British national Emily Damari, he said: “We have continually supported hostage talks, and I welcome the reference that fellow Members have made to the British national who is still being detained by Hamas. We will continue to work alongside our allies and partners in the region, exercising every possible diplomatic lever to see the hostages immediately and unconditionally released.”
You can read the full debate here.
