My thanks to the constituents who have contacted me
in recent weeks following the publication of the US President’s Peace Plan in
the Middle East.
I appreciate the strength of emotion that have
typified the Israel-Palestinian debate for decades and I note the polarised
response to the US proposals for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
While they have not been universally welcomed, but
it is noteworthy that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE have
expressed optimism over the plan alongside the UK.
It is regrettable that the Palestinian leadership
refused to participate in the drafting process, and rejected the proposals
outright last month.
The complex issues that exist in the region can
only be resolved in direct negotiations, and any unilateral action by either
side that could harm the peace process should be avoided.
For a lasting peace to prevail, the Palestinian
leadership must 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 Palestinian Authority
must end the glorification of ‘martyrdom’ and incitement, including the naming of
schools and sports tournaments after murderers who have killed Israelis and the
payment of salaries to terrorists. Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, must put
down its arms and cease its terrorist activities.
On the issue of settlement construction, while I
believe settlement expansion to be counter-productive to the peace process,
they should not be considered a permanent obstacle to peace. Not only does
Israel have a history of unilaterally removing settlements in the interests of
peace, but both parties accept that any future final status agreement will
include equivalent land swaps.
As a supporter of the State of Israel, I celebrate
the UK’s record trade ties and flourishing partnership in medicine, technology
and academia with the country. I may not always be in agreement with the
actions of its government, but that does not detract from the fact that Israel
is the only true democracy in the region and a strong bilateral partner to the
UK.
At the same time, I am proud to be a friend of the
Palestinian people. I look forward to the day when the Palestinians can enjoy
the security of a sovereign state upon the successful conclusion of a
negotiated two-state solution. This will require difficult compromises from the
leaders of both parties, but it remains achievable.
What is clear, above all, is that the need for a
renewed peace process is more urgent than ever. Our Government remains
committed to a two-state solution through direct negotiations, and all parties
involved as well as the international community must step up efforts without
delay.
It is in the best interest of all sides to resolve
this complex conflict, and I will continue to urge the UK Government to
encourage the Palestinian leadership to engage with the US proposals and return
to the negotiating table.
