UK surrenders to Israel’s threats not to recognise Palestine
After Israel threatened Britain and France against recognising Palestine as a state, Britain took no chances and stepped further away from doing so, Middle East Eye reported on July 9th.
Israel’s strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, cautioned Britain and France against recognising Palestine as a sovereign state in May, suggesting the Israeli response would be further annexation of territories in the West Bank, as Maghrebi alongside The New Arab plus agencies, reported on May 27th and May 26th, respectively.
Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, furthered these threats by stating Israel would take unilateral action if Britain and France went forward with the plan.
The US also allegedly privately advised both Britain and France against recognising Palestine, in which the nations followed the advice by halting their progress.
British foreign secretary, David Lammy, responded to Israel’s ultimatums on July 8th. He told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee: “Despite the recognition movement, actually what we’ve seen is further annexation on the West Bank.” According to Lammy, the movement has restricted Britain “getting closer to a process,” regarding a resolution.
Lammy has since refused to give an indication as to when when Britain will officially recognise Palestine, even criticising the idea as a whole over how it could threaten the potential of peace.
France’s response to Israel took a different approach, the country urged Britain to still move towards recognising Palestine. Only hours after Lammy’s appearance before the committee, President Emmanuel Macron of France addressed the British Parliament. He said: “Today, working together in order to recognise the state of Palestine and to initiate this political momentum is the only path to peace.”
Britain continues to supply F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel despite pressures for a full arms embargo and despite the noticeably deteriorating diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
Middle East Eye, Maghrebi.org via The New Arab plus agencies
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