The British must formally – and swiftly – recognise Palestine as a sovereign state
(By Alon Liel and Ilan Baruch)
On his last visit to Israel in March 2014, David Cameron spoke in only the most positive terms as he addressed the Israeli parliament, outlining his vision of a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“Imagine what this land would be like if a two-state solution was actually achieved. Think of all the aspects of life that would change,” he said. “Israel’s relationships with the world. Its security, its long-term prosperity and the quality of life for all its people....
On the eve of Netanyahu’s reciprocal visit to the UK, our message to Cameron is this: agonised by years of political stagnation, President Mahmoud Abbas is desperately keeping the Palestinian people on an even keel, investing his meagre political currency in restraining any violent resistance to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In recent months this relative security has turned volatile. Any day could lead to an eruption of violence. Europe needs to vigorously step in, without delay, and apply pressure to both protagonists of this conflict, but above all to Israel as the occupying power, to engage in transforming Israeli-Palestinian relations from occupation to neighbourliness. Peace will, we believe, soon follow. The road to a breakthrough goes through unconditional international recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state without delay.
Last October, the British parliament voted in favour of a symbolic resolution, calling for unconditional recognition of the state of Palestine, not as a result of peace negotiations with Israel but rather as a conduit to it. The British government should follow its parliament’s recommendation and formally recognise the state of Palestine. Sweden did so one year ago, and France is seriously considering this option. Renewed momentum for recognition in Europe will keep the idea of two states alive. It will clarify to the growing camp of supporters of a single state, in Israel and in Palestine, that the world will not give up on the two-state idea.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/09/british-palestine-sovereign-state-netanyahu-israel
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