Israel: Palestinians

(asked on 5th October 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps he has taken on Israel's plans to annex parts of Palestine.


Answered by
James Cleverly Portrait
James Cleverly
Home Secretary
This question was answered on 12th October 2020

We welcome the announcement, on 13 August, of the suspension of Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank. The UK has consistently made clear our firm opposition to annexation, which would be contrary to international law, counterproductive to securing peace in the region, and a severe blow to the prospects of the two-state solution. We therefore profoundly hope that suspension of these plans can be used as a step towards dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians. There can be no substitute for direct talks in order to reach a two-state solution and a lasting peace. The Foreign Secretary visited Israel and the OPTs on 24-25 August and encouraged the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians to build on this momentum. We urge the Palestinian Authority to resume co-operation with Israel, which is in the interests of the Palestinian people. We also call on both parties to make constructive and open steps towards a return to dialogue.

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