UK pressed Arab nations to denounce Hamas in UN statement
Britain pushed for the disarmament of Hamas and its withdrawal from Gaza to be featured as key demands in a statement for a UN conference, according to Middle East Eye on August 5th.
The UN conference which was held in New York, was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Its aim included advancing rapidity for a two-state solution.
The New York Declaration made demands for Hamas, requesting that the group end its rule in Gaza, and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.Â
Middle East Eye has been informed by multiple diplomatic sources that the UK played a key role in urging for these demands to be included within the UN conference statement. The UK also pushed for the inclusion of strong language that denounces the Hamas attack on Israel, which took place on October 7th 2023.Â
This statement represents the first time that Arab League states have called for the exclusion of Hamas as a form of governance in Gaza. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described this as “both historic and unprecedented.” He has further stated that many Arab and Middle Eastern countries have expressed an intention to maintain relations with Israel in the future.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced during the conference that the UK will recognise Palestine as a state in September. This followed France’s announcement that it will recognise Palestinian statehood, with Barrot stating his intention to persuade other countries to follow France in this recognition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that France’s decision to recognise Palestine was “rewarding terrorism.”Â
If the move from France and the UK goes ahead, these two countries will be the first G7 nations to recognise Palestine. Previously, the UK stepped back from recognising Palestine as a state after Israel warned against it.
Despite the West eyeing the recognition of Palestine as a state, it is unlikely that a feasible Palestinian state will be formed. According to undisclosed sources close to Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister is striving towards the full occupation of the Gaza Strip.
A “senior figure” in his office, as quoted by Channel 12, has said that this decision had been firmly made. The decision would lead to the extension of ground operations into areas where hostages are being held, and where Israeli soldiers have not been active for more than a year.
Middle East Eye, Maghrebi.org
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