A number of my constituents have recently
written to me to ask if I would support an arms embargo against Israel.
Israel is a long-term ally of the UK and
shares many mutual interests, including close intelligence and military
cooperation.
As a country renowned for its high-tech
expertise, the UK benefits from Israeli military technology. Israeli technology
that the UK uses include battlefield medical technology, techniques for dealing
with suicide bombers, and technology to counter remotely-detonated terrorist
bombs. Israeli drone technology such as the Watchkeeper WK45 has also been used
by British forces in Afghanistan for intelligence collection. These
technologies have protected the lives of many British soldiers.
An arms embargo on Israel and the wider
boycott campaign stands to be damaging for UK-Israel bilateral relations, and
also counterproductive to the peace process. The British Government and I will
continue to support efforts to restart direct peace negotiations between Israel
and the Palestinians, in order to achieve a lasting and viable two-state
solution. These talks are absolutely necessary in order to address the crucial
final-status issues of borders, the status of Jerusalem, Israel’s security
concerns, settlements, and Palestinian sovereignty.
For a lasting peace, it is essential for the
Palestinian Authority to educate its people towards peace and coexistence with
Israel. It must uphold the Quartet Principles that it has committed itself to:
to recognise Israel’s right to exist; to abide by previous diplomatic
agreements; and to renounce and distance itself from violence.
The PA must end the glorification of
terrorists and incitement, including the naming of schools and sports
tournaments after murderers who have killed Israelis, which have inspired so
many violent acts against Israelis.
I trust that this adequately answers the
issues my constituents raised.
