On October 13, British MPs will take part in a debate on a motion "That this House believes that the Government should recognize the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel".
As a permanent member of the Security Council, Britain abstained the last time the question arose at the UN in November 2012 when the General Assembly voted by a resounding 138 to 9 to elevate the Palestinians to non-member observer status.
This time however, the Labour MPs are keen to go through with the motion and vote in favour of backing complete statehood.
International communities believe a two-state solution is the only long-term answer to the continuous conflict in Gaza.
Labour MP Grahame Morris who called the debate said "I do think it is important that parliament has an opportunity to express its will. The last time we actually had a full debate on the issue was back in 2012. This is in relation to the recognition of the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel. Can I just point out respectfully to the Committee that a lot has happened since we made the original bid? The Kerry-led negotiations have collapsed. We know that Gaza has been left devastated by the consequences of the conflict. We have seen the biggest annexation of Palestinian land in the west bank for 30 years".
"There have been enormous protests, not just in London, but all across the UK-demonstrations, large public gatherings, meetings and protests. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says that more than half the correspondence it receives is on this issue. The e-petition that initiated our initial bid has gained more than 111,000 signatures, and there are a number of other similar e-petitions on issues specifically related to this that have gained tens of thousands of signatures in a relatively small space of time. There is a huge public desire across the UK for MPs to debate the issue and discuss the conflict".
"I respectfully remind the Committee that the main arguments that were posed against the debate at the time were that it would be a unilateral action and that it may prejudice the peace process. Well, given events-there is currently no peace process and Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, has ruled out allowing a sovereign Palestinian state-those arguments are no longer valid".
Mr Morris added that internationally, in the UN, 138 countries have voted to support Palestinian statehood. "I think it is very important. Public opinion across the country, not just in London, believes that this is an issue that should be aired, and there is enormous support for it. We want to have a votable motion on that specific issue".
Labour believes statehood for the Palestinians is not a gift to be given but a right to be recognised: That is why since 2011 Labour has supported Palestinian recognition at the United Nations and called on the government to support this important principle.
Stay updated on the go with The Times of India’s mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.
0 comments:
Post a Comment