Middle East Peace Plan

Debate between Andrew Murrison and Gavin Newlands

Thursday 30th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Dr Murrison]

Yes. Of course we have done that consistently. We have made our position clear consistently to the Americans and to others, and our position has not changed.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

I think that the Minister’s telling the only British Palestinian in this place to watch her language is regrettable. He should think about that, and apologise.

I was ashamed of the Prime Minister’s support for the President’s disastrous and self-serving deal of the century. It is disastrous because it sets in statutory stone 50 years of occupation and institutionalised discrimination, and it is self-serving because it distracts from his, and his pal the Israeli Prime Minister’s, legal difficulties. When will someone in this Government stand up to the White House and condemn this ridiculous and unworkable plan?

[Dr Murrison]

The hon. Gentleman has made his views very plain. Our position would be that we need to get back round the negotiating table. If that provides a starter for 10 for some, that is a good thing. It has been well thought out; there is no doubt about that. He can doubt the intentions of President Trump if he wishes to, but I would recommend that he reads the document—[Interruption.] That is very good, if he has. He will therefore understand, although he might not agree with it, that it is certainly very well thought through. On that basis, it would be a reasonable start for negotiations—[Interruption.] We are not going to make any progress at all unless we get round the table and negotiate a solution in this matter.