The British Foreign Secretary shows willingness to recognize the Palestinian state sooner
David Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, has signaled Britain's readiness to kick-start talks on formal recognition of a Palestinian state, saying his country and other allies must allow the Palestinians to make “irreversible progress.” towards that long-sought goal.
Mr Cameron, speaking to the Conservative Middle East Council, an organization that promotes discussion of the region within the Conservative Party, said on Monday that showing progress towards a two-state solution is essential to negotiating peace, and mentioned Israeli security policy over the past three decades 'a failure'.
The British government has long taken the position that it would only recognize a Palestinian state when “right time” in the peace process with Israeland Mr Cameron's comments in London suggested Britain may intend to do so sooner.
A top priority “is to give the Palestinian people a political horizon so that they can see that there will be irreversible progress towards a two-state solution and, crucially, the creation of a Palestinian state,” Cameron said. BBC, which reported his comments.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the prime minister said Cameron's comments did not deviate from the government's long-standing position on a Palestinian state.
“Our position has not changed regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state: we would do so at a time that best serves the cause of peace,” the spokesperson said. “For its part, the United Kingdom, and I believe along with its allies, continues to believe that a two-state solution protects the peace and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.”
The United States, Britain and other allies have pushed for Israel to agree to terms for the creation of a Palestinian state, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained defiant, calling such a plan “an existential danger to Israel.”
Mr Cameron, who tried to put pressure on Mr Netanyahu at a meeting in Israel last week, had harsh words for Israel in his remarks on Monday, saying it was important to acknowledge the mistakes of recent years to make a difference. to find your way. forward.
“If the last 30 years tell us anything, it's a story of failure,” he said. “Ultimately it's a story of failure for Israel, because yes, they had a growing economy; yes, they had rising standards of living; yes, they invested in defense and security and walls and the rest; but they could not provide what a state wants most, what every family wants, namely security.”
The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry said it welcomed Mr Cameron's comments and called international support for an eventual Palestinian state “a necessary strategic step to resolve the conflict and ensure security and stability in the Middle East and the reach the world.”
The comments came hours before Cameron traveled to Oman on Tuesday for the first leg of his fourth visit to the Middle East since taking over as foreign secretary late last year. His trip will again focus on de-escalation of hostilities in the region, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, with an emphasis on halting the Houthi militia's ongoing attacks in the Red Sea.
Mr Cameron also plans to push for an immediate end to fighting in Gaza so that much-needed humanitarian aid can enter the enclave and the hostages can be released.
Britain's Foreign Office also said it was “alarmed” by a conference attended by some Israeli ministers this weekend that called for the construction of Jewish settlements in Gaza.
“The British position is clear: Gaza is occupied Palestinian territory and will be part of the future Palestinian state,” the Foreign Office said. “Settlements are illegal. No Palestinian should be threatened with forced displacement or relocation.”
Stephen's Castle, Myra Noveck And Rawan Sheikh Ahmad reporting contributed.