I want to make it clear I am extremely worried about the rapidly escalating violence in Israel and Palestine. Innocent lives are being lost and it is vital peace and stability is restored as soon as possible. I join with my colleagues in believing the best way to achieve this is through a two-state solution.
The Government have taken a number of recent steps to bring about an end to this violence, including:
- Unequivocally condemning the firing of rockets at Jerusalem and other locations in Israel.
- Condemning the acts of terrorism from Hamas and other terrorist groups.
- Urging Israel to cease such actions linked to threatened evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, which is contrary to humanitarian law.
- Supporting international efforts to reduce the tension.
- The Foreign Secretary delivered a message of de-escalation in a call to the Israeli Foreign Minister yesterday. He will speak to the Palestinian Prime Minister shortly.
- The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa has spoken to the Israeli ambassador and the Palestinian head of mission in the UK to urge them to de-escalate and to restore calm.
- The UK has also engaged at the UN Security Council, calling for all sides to take measures to reduce further violence and making clear our deep concern at the violence at the holy sites in Jerusalem.
- UK embassies throughout the middle east are engaging with regional partners, and we remain in close contact with the US Administration and our European allies.
I also welcome that officials from the UK Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised concerns with the Israeli authorities about the increase in evictions and demolitions of Palestinian properties. The UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence does not extend to support for the annexation plans for part of the West Bank. Our friendship with Israel does not prohibit our criticism of some Israeli policies, nor our recognition of Israel as a thriving democracy.
Regarding the importation of Israeli goods, the UK does not recognise the OPTs and settlements there as part of Israel. Goods from settlements are not covered by the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement and do not receive preferential tariff treatment. While it is ultimately a decision for an individual or company as to whether to operate in the settlements in the OPTs, the UK Government neither encourages nor offers support to individuals or companies who operate in settlements in the OPTs.
Respect for human rights underpins the UK's foreign policy; Ministers and officials regularly raise concerns with the Israeli and Palestinian governments, where they exist, for this reason. Indeed, Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territories (OPTs) are a human rights priority for the FCDO, as documented in the most recent Human Rights and Democracy Report last year, which you can read here.
I am confident that ministers and British officials will continue to engage with both sides, as well as our international allies, to resolve this escalation as soon as possible. I will continue to wholeheartedly support these efforts and follow developments closely, as well as engaging with my ministerial colleagues in the FCDO where I can, on behalf of all constituents.