Middle East and North Africa Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Duncan Hames

Main Page: Duncan Hames (Liberal Democrat - Chippenham)

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Speaker’s Statement

Middle East and North Africa

Duncan Hames Excerpts

Points of Order
Wednesday 9th November 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Hague of Richmond Portrait Mr Hague
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It would not be in the interests of the United Kingdom for the Foreign Secretary, whoever that may be, to endorse any such remarks. We do not get into endorsing leaked conversations.

Duncan Hames Portrait Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)
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The Foreign Secretary is more patient than I am in waiting for the Israeli Government to return to meaningful negotiations with the Palestinian authority. When will his patience, like mine, have run out?

Lord Hague of Richmond Portrait Mr Hague
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Well, it will not last for ever. I do not think the Israeli Government regard me—or the position of the United Kingdom—as patient on this subject because we have spoken to them extremely frankly about what they need to do. Nevertheless, however frustrated we are, we all have to recognise that the resumption of negotiations is the only way to bring about the Palestinian state that we seek. We have to act in a way that is in accordance with that, which is why we have taken the decision we have.

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