Asked by Lord Polak To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they
will take to ensure the success of the Abraham Accords. Lord Polak
(Con) My Lords, I refer the House to my registered interests.
Tomorrow marks the three-year anniversary of the signing of the
Abraham accords. On 15 September 2020, the world witnessed a
remarkable moment in Washington, as the United Arab Emirates, the
Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel came together to sign
the Abraham...Request free trial
Asked by
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to
ensure the success of the Abraham Accords.
(Con)
My Lords, I refer the House to my registered interests. Tomorrow
marks the three-year anniversary of the signing of the Abraham
accords. On 15 September 2020, the world witnessed a remarkable
moment in Washington, as the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of
Bahrain and the State of Israel came together to sign the Abraham
accords. A few months later, the Kingdom of Morocco joined this
transformative accord.
I would like to take a moment to express my deepest condolences
and unwavering support for the people of Morocco in the wake of
the devastating earthquake that struck earlier this week. I am
deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of over 2,900 lives
and hope for a swift and complete recovery for those injured or
displaced. I pay tribute to the Minister for his leadership in
getting aid to Morocco so quickly.
These accords were not merely ink on paper, they were a
resounding statement—a pledge to normalise relations between
nations that had once stood on opposite sides. It was a
monumental achievement, initiated by the United States and one
that many had previously considered an unattainable dream. Yet, I
cannot help but observe that we in the United Kingdom were not,
and are not, involved.
In a debate held in the other place in October 2021, posed a fundamental question
about the accords. He said:
“what is the role for the United Kingdom, and for our Government
in particular, in taking this forward?”—[Official Report,
Commons, 25/10/21; col. 113.]
It is with a sense of disappointment and a desire for clarity
that, nearly two years later, I ask His Majesty’s Government the
same question. What is our role in the Abraham accords? What
proactive steps are we taking to further the progress that has
already been made? Are we actively engaging with neighbouring
states, those nations that are close friends of the UK, to
encourage their participation in the enterprise? What concrete
measures are the Government undertaking to ensure the long-term
success of the accords?
The Abraham accords represent a beacon of hope in a region that
has endured decades of turmoil and division. They have already
shown promise but their full potential is yet to be realised and
it is incumbent upon us, as representatives of a nation committed
to promoting peace, stability and prosperity, to take decisive
action. We have a proud history of diplomatic leadership and it
is my hope that we can harness that legacy to contribute
significantly to the success of the Abraham accords.
Robert Greenway, president of the Abraham Accords Peace
Institute, recently highlighted the crucial role of the accords
in Middle East diplomacy—especially in countering the growing
threat from Iran. The Abraham accords unite former adversaries
around common interests. First, in security, particularly
regarding Iran and the destabilising actions of the IRGC, the
accords have created a strong coalition to counter Iran’s
expansionist agenda and have enhanced co-ordination and
intelligence sharing to respond to regional threats. I remind the
Minister that I continue to urge the Government to proscribe the
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist
organisation.
Secondly, on economic growth, the accords have prompted
co-operation and resource sharing among participating nations.
This has diversified regional economies, reducing reliance on oil
and increasing resilience against economic shocks. Lastly, Robert
Greenway suggests that the accords enabled the United States to
maintain a leading role in promoting peace and countering China’s
influence in the Middle East. Securing the region is vital for
global energy and trade, and the accords help to deter Russian
aggression by uniting participating nations.
If the Abraham accords play a pivotal role in aligning regional
interests, enhancing security, fostering economic growth and
ensuring that the United States remains a key player in promoting
peace and countering global tension, where is the United Kingdom?
The UK is not playing a role in these accords and, as a result,
we are acting against our own interests and our own national
security.
I have previously likened the Abraham accords to a peace train
that journeyed to Jerusalem, continued to Dubai and Manama and,
further, to Rabat. The train shows no sign of stopping; instead,
it is gaining momentum, with suggestions that its next
destination may be Riyadh. The UK boasts strong ties with many
countries in the region, and we should play a pivotal role in
encouraging neighbouring states to join—most especially the
Palestinian Authority. It must board this train and embrace the
enormous opportunities that peace can bring.
Together with my friend, the noble Lord, , in September 2021 we
cofounded the UK Abraham Accords Group, chaired by MP, with the key aim of
encouraging our Government to support, deepen and expand the
Abraham accords to other Middle Eastern and African partners. Our
hope is that His Majesty’s Government will not only secure more
signatories to the accords but facilitate the expansion of
relationships beyond normalisation into multifaceted economic
security and cultural ties.
Let us just look at what has been achieved as a result of the
Abraham accords. Total trade between Israel and the Abraham
accords countries surged from $593 million in 2019 to $3.47
billion in 2022. Israel significantly increased its imports from
those countries, going from $378 million to $2.57 billion in
goods and services, and exports grew from $224 million to $903
million. Those are deep and significant achievements—things are
happening.
What of Saudi Arabia? Although not yet a formal participant in
the Abraham accords, a promising indication of the ongoing
normalisation and relationship-building between Israel and other
nations in the region has emerged. The development became evident
when Israeli-founded smart energy tech firm Solar Edge entered
only a few weeks ago into a joint venture with Saudi Arabia’s
Ajlan holdings to deploy solar energy in the kingdom. This
signifies more than just a step forward, improving environmental
sustainability in the region. It represents the inaugural
publicly acknowledged co-operation between the two countries, and
I fervently hope that Saudi Arabia will normalise its
relationship with Israel.
In the debate that took place in the other place two years ago,
the Minister for the Middle East, who is now the Foreign
Secretary, answered Robert Jenrick’s question by stating:
“I look forward to working closely with my opposite numbers in
the UAE, Bahrain and Israel, and, indeed, any other country that
wishes to join and support the normalisation of relations, and
bring peace, strength and stability to the region”.—[Official
Report, Commons, 25/10/2021; col. 118.]
However, I contend that since that statement, very little has
been done by the Foreign Office to carry out that commitment. The
political landscape has drastically changed over the past few
years. Now is the time to grasp the opportunity to reassess
policy on Israeli-Arab relations and, more broadly, our regional
policies there. It is neither sufficient nor acceptable to use
the same old words and policies that we have relied on for 50 or
more years, which have continued to fail to bring about any
practical help or change.
Earlier this year I was in Bahrain, at the Manama dialogue, when
the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Minister Zayani, requested from
our Foreign Secretary that the UK join the Negev forum. Has the
FCDO taken any steps to ensure that the UK is involved in the
Negev forum? Furthermore, I ask my noble friend the Minister a
purely logistical question. How many civil servants in the
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are working on
developing the Abraham accords? It is my understanding that
currently, most shockingly and shamefully, not one official has
the role of focusing on the Abraham accords.
As we approach the three-year anniversary of the historic Abraham
accords, and the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, is upon us,
there is a profound symbolism in considering the role of the
United Kingdom in furthering the path to peace. Rosh Hashanah is
a time of reflection and renewal: a moment to set intentions for
the year ahead. It is a time when the Jewish community worldwide
gathers to pray for a better world, where the pursuit of peace
and justice is paramount. In that spirit of renewal and
commitment to a brighter future, I urge my noble friend and the
entire Government to take bold and decisive steps in support of
the Abraham accords.
Just as individuals at Rosh Hashanah reflect on past actions and
set intentions for the year ahead, so too should our Government
contemplate their role in promoting regional stability and
co-operation. In the spirit of Rosh Hashanah, let us find the
courage and determination to play our part in this historic
endeavour, ensuring a more peaceful and prosperous future for all
the peoples of the region. The time for action is now: in the
pages of history, let it be recorded that we, the United Kingdom,
played our part in advancing a brighter, more peaceful future in
the Middle East.
3.10pm
(Lab)
My Lords, I declare my interest as a board member of the UK
Abraham Accords Group and as one of the co-chairs of the
All-Party Group on the Abraham Accords. I pay tribute to the
noble Lord, , for his excellent speech and
for giving us the opportunity to debate this. His personal
leadership and role in developing our country’s relations with
that region is well known to all and we thank him for that. In
particular, he—I would say “my noble friend”—has been a great
colleague and, on many occasions, a great servant for this
country. I also associate myself with the words that he said
about the situation in Morocco. A terrible tragedy has been
unfolding there, and I too extend sympathy to its people.
Whatever we can do to help them would be most welcome. I am sure
that the Minister will touch on that in his comments.
The Question we have here is to look at the Abraham accords and
how we should view them. I think we have to consider them as one
of the single most transformational moments in the Middle East.
That is not to say that in and of itself, that moment was
everything. We have to acknowledge that the region has changed
substantially in the relations between countries due to different
factors. For those who remember the work on the development
reports that the United Nations was doing in the early 1990s,
there has been a whole series of changes, not least in the
security situation. We have to say that the Abraham accords are
set within the context of a changing region—which is taking a
very different view about what people can do and how they can
define their futures. That includes the visionary leadership in
the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which are intent on
changing the course of their nations’ participation in
society.
These are factors that we have to consider, so the question is
then: why it is important to the UK? It is fairly obvious, not
least for anyone who has read our own review of our strategy on
foreign and defence policy. We want to be involved at the real
heart of shaping the international order of the future. We have
vital security interests, which are being challenged all the
time, and of course our competitive advantage is based around
where the science and technology of the future will go. This
region is really coming on in leaps and bounds in participation,
and the collaboration between countries is immense.
The next question is: what should we do? The answer is, of
course, to fully engage. The point about the Negev forum, which
is in a sense the diplomatic and economic grunt-work of this
process, is that it is absolutely vital for us to engage
properly. The Americans sent 40 people from across government to
the previous one. It is not about just one issue or the Foreign
Office; it touches on every single part. We in the UK Abraham
Accords Group are going to try to do our part, ably led by the
ex-Minister , who is well known to people in
this House. We also have Ruth Paris on the international advisory
board and, most importantly, it is formally and strongly
sponsored by the ambassadors of Israel, Bahrain and the United
Arab Emirates. However, I really hope that the Minister will
agree that the UK could consider engaging with it much more as a
forum, an opportunity and as a strategic interest for our
country. That is the most important and vital step we need to
take.
3.14pm
(LD)
My Lords, it is always interesting to listen to the noble Lord. I
served on the International Relations and Defence Committee with
him and it was a pleasure to do so. I appreciate the usual
channels facilitating the swap of my noble friend Lady Ludford
and myself, as I am due to take part in and wind for my party on
the next debate in the Chamber, which is on climate and
migration—an issue affected by the region that we are discussing.
Indeed, I will refer to Morocco and the region in that debate, so
I apologise in advance if I miss the closing remarks.
The noble Lord is absolutely right that this is a changing region
and there is a major shift. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the
Emirates are now seeing a growing sense of national identity.
Indeed, the accords will provide an opportunity to ensure that
that is not growing nationalism within the area.
We know, however, that there are areas of difference. These are
all sovereign countries that have their own interests, and many
of them compete both economically and militarily—we have seen
that in Yemen already—but if this facilitates the reduction of
tensions in that region, that is to be welcomed.
I therefore wish to make two points. First, what should we
consider a peace dividend from the accords? That is hard to
determine. We have not seen a reduction in the tension, violence
and instability in Lebanon, Sudan or Palestine. Yemen continues
to be a scar on the region and for humanity, with the challenges
that the Yemenis face. What would we consider to be a regional
peace dividend from the accords? At the moment, I would venture
to say that it is hard to determine.
Secondly, we see not only a potentially declining UK position but
a growing position on China. We have asked questions of the
Minister regarding the Chinese-facilitated talks between the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran. What is the UK’s assessment of
the position that China is taking? I want to quote the accords.
These are all fine words:
“We seek tolerance and respect for every person in order to make
this world a place where all can enjoy a life of dignity and
hope, no matter their race, faith or ethnicity”.
They also say:
“We … recognize the importance of maintaining and strengthening
peace in the Middle East and around the world”.
However, that was signed by the dictator of Sudan. Words should
mean something when people sign up to accords. Unfortunately, the
Sudanese experience means that we have difficulty defining
things. What is the Government’s assessment with regard to the
Sudanese?
In my last seconds, I wish to refer to the point made by the
noble Lord, , and ask what the Government’s
assessment is of the United States’s discussions with Saudi
Arabia on a new security guarantee. It may also be for the house
of Saud, not just Saudi Arabia. Is the UK supporting that
initiative? Does the UK wish to be part of it?
3.17pm
The
My Lords, I add my thanks to the noble Lord, , for securing this short debate
and my admiration and gratitude to all those who have supported
and championed the Abraham accords all across the Middle East and
beyond. They are truly an historic achievement, and I applaud the
courage of all those who seek to bring peace to this
long-troubled region. I add my thoughts and indeed prayers for
the people of Morocco as well.
Noble Lords have already mentioned a number of reasons for why
the accords are so significant for the region as well as for the
UK. I wish to add to this debate my observation that, at the same
time as supporting peace efforts in the Middle East itself, we
must be proactive in addressing the tensions which conflict in
the Middle East can cause here in the UK. We saw an example of
this during the May 2021 Gaza conflict, when there was a steep
increase in hate crimes committed against both Muslims and Jews
in this country. We cannot presume, therefore, that peaceful
coexistence between Jewish and Muslim communities will come about
automatically in the UK simply because we are at a geographical
remove from the Middle East. It is by no means impossible, but it
does not come of its own accord.
A poll done in 2020 found that 44% of British Muslims believed
that British Jews were more loyal to Israel than to the UK, a
belief counted by the International Holocaust Remembrance
Alliance to be anti-Semitic. That is nearly twice as many as
among the general public at large. However, that perception of
dual loyalty was significantly less common among those surveyed
who had friends who were Jewish. It is true integration, then,
and the opportunity to build friendships, that can make living
well with difference possible.
I could give many examples from my local context in Leicester
that work across different faiths, particularly our St Philip’s
Centre. We are doing a lot locally to build these friendships.
However, we also need action from the Government. We need a
robust long-term strategy for integration for each of the four
nations of the UK, with clearly defined responsibilities for
local authorities and funding allocated at national, regional and
local levels.
I was encouraged recently to hear that, after the Government had
decided to revoke the Inter Faith Network’s funding, they agreed
to offer it financial support for one further year. But what is
the Government’s long-term strategy for supporting interfaith
relations in the UK?
The Abraham accords are an important framework that makes
relationships across divides possible and fruitful. The UK
Government should passionately support them, but we must also
ensure that such frameworks undergird and nurture our common life
here too.
3.20pm
(CB)
My Lords, it is now three years since the signing of the Abraham
accords at the White House, arranged by the United States between
the UAE, Bahrain, Israel and, as we have just heard, Morocco.
Sudan has not signed them but is in the process of doing so. I
join noble Lords in conveying condolences to Morocco, a country
that many of us have visited and are very fond of, on the tragic
situation there.
These Abraham accords are crucial in promoting interfaith and
intercultural dialogue, peace, dignity and hope among the
Abrahamic religions—and, quite frankly, among all humanity, not
just in the Middle East but around the world. One cannot fault
the accords’ intentions. It is clear, we hope, that other
countries will join them. Oman was expected to sign; it then
criminalised any relations or interactions with Israel, but has
since opened its airspace to Israeli flights. I hope that these
accords pave the way between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The US is
very keen—as are we all—to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia.
Is it the Government’s view that this is on the right track and
will happen?
Concern is constantly expressed from the United States and the UK
about the settlements on the West Bank. What is the Government’s
view on this? There is a cycle of violence in Israel and the West
Bank. I was privileged to be part of the delegation organised by
ELNET in May to Israel, led by the noble Lord, . We visited not
only Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
but the West Bank; we met the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah
and went to the Gaza border. If only we could have peace over
there. We keep talking about the two-state solution, and the
Minister has said that we should be committed to it, but how
confident is he in the chance of it happening, given the
circumstances that persist at the moment?
Finally, we have a big opportunity to take the Abraham accords
further with COP 28 taking place in the UAE this November and
December. This will be a phenomenal opportunity. The business
champion is my friend Badr Jafar. The good news is that, for the
first time, we will have a business and philanthropic forum right
up front alongside the leaders’ meeting at the beginning of COP
28. One of the big objectives of the Abraham accords is to
further trade, business and tourism in the region. Is the
Minister confident that we will make the most of this great
opportunity and will the UK be represented there?
3.24pm
(Non-Afl)
My Lords, ever since I spent a year in the Middle East in 1967 as
a volunteer in the Six Day War, I have been involved with schemes
trying to bring nations there together for peace. The Abraham
accords are exactly what my old company, Marks & Spencer, was
trying to do in the region for decades—on a smaller scale, of
course. In 1977, we started deliberately buying goods in volume
from Egypt, as we already were from Israel; we hoped this would
persuade President Sadat to visit Israel and make peace, and he
did.
In the 1980s, we persuaded our Israeli manufacturers to
manufacture Marks & Spencer goods in Egypt, Jordan and
Morocco. Delta Galil set up a factory in Cairo, employing 12,500
people making socks and underwear using the best Egyptian cotton,
and another factory in Jordan, thus developing warm relations.
Then, in the 1990s, asked if I would go to the West
Bank and Gaza to do the same for the Palestinians. We did that
successfully.
Why do I mention all this? It is because there is now a great
opportunity, on a much larger scale, for the countries of the
Gulf and north Africa to use their wealth and assets to include
Israel in a massive transformation of the region, to move from
oil and gas-producing industries to wind, solar and other clean
forms of energy and greener technologies. By using the brilliant
science, ingenuity and advanced technology in Israel, this can
make them all very wealthy and create close partnerships, at the
same time as saving the planet.
Specifically, to enhance the Abraham accords, Saudi Arabia can
perhaps join in. It wants to recognise Israel but, at the same
time, support Palestine. It can do this by combining recognition
of Israel with a major, game-changing investment in
Palestine—something spectacular that is not easy for Israel to
agree to but doable. It needs to be something that Saudi Arabia
can deliver, and be seen to have been delivered on the back of a
recognition of Israel and benefits for Palestine.
Nabil Shaath had a plan for the redevelopment of Gaza Port with a
“linked” port in Cyprus. This would mean Saudi recognition of
both Israel and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Although
the costs of such a dramatic gesture of this kind would be
immense, there would be private sector investment and other
Governments might contribute—perhaps the USA—but Saudi Arabia
would be the main shareholder.
As the UK has expertise in all this, possesses great diplomatic
skills and has good relations with countries across the region,
we could play a vital role. Perhaps the Minister could suggest to
His Majesty’s Government that we could host a series of meetings
here and discuss all this with these parties in this very
House.
3.27pm
(Con)
My Lords, the prophet Abraham, after whom these accords are
named, is remembered five times a day in the prayers of devout
Muslims. He is a towering figure in Islam. He has the title
Khalilullah—friend of God—and is seen as the ancestor of Moses,
who watches over our proceedings stony-faced, Jesus and the
Prophet Muhammad. However, he himself is not seen as Christian,
Jewish or Muslim. He is rather a sort of primordial monotheist
who lives instinctively within divine law and recognising divine
justice.
In the Jewish and, by extension, Christian traditions, the
salient fact is that he is a wanderer who settles down. The Bible
says that Abraham
“spake unto the sons of Heth … I am a stranger and a sojourner
with you … give me … a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my
dead out of my sight”.
The return of Jews to Israel was with an overriding wish to be
welcomed home—to have nothing more than peace with their
neighbours. Finally, that prospect is on the horizon. It is a
great cosmic irony that, just as Israel is improving its
relations with its Arab neighbours, it is worsening its situation
with many western and European countries, but that is a topic for
a different debate.
I think these accords came about because other Arab states
realised that it was no longer feasible to give an effective veto
to the most hard-line elements in the Palestinian leadership.
They saw that, even when offers were made, as under Ehud Barak or
Ehud Olmert, that would have given 95% or an equivalent of 100%
of the territory with land swaps and control of east Jerusalem,
that was not enough and they decided to go further, over the
heads of some of the Palestinian leaders but in the interests of
the Palestinian people. That creates a new situation and a new
opportunity, if Israel will now have the imagination and
generosity to grasp it and if Palestinians will come on board
with the process.
I am not saying for a moment that this is easy, but imagine a
situation where there are no physical barriers around the
Palestinian territories; where that country can be integrated
into the world economy and can trade its way to prosperity—an
embourgeoisement of Palestine, if you will; where you will have a
propertied class that will not tolerate lawlessness or freelance
rocket launchers but will want to remain on good terms with its
customers, most of whom will find themselves in Israel. As Milton
Friedman said, there is nothing like trade to make people who do
not get on get on.
I appreciate that taking down the barriers to get there is not an
easy thing, but is it not worth the effort? Is it not worth at
least considering the Palestinians as an entity capable of making
their own decisions—whether they want confederation with Israel
or with Jordan or whatever—and recognising them as a unit? Surely
Abraham has buried enough of his dead out of his sight.
3.30pm
(CB)
My Lords, noble Lords have referred to the incomprehensible
earthquake disaster in Morocco, but let us not forget the equal
horrors in Libya and Turkey.
Sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East is an elusive
goal that has been bedevilled over the decades. I reflect often
on a long-ago meeting in Amman, discussing the role of Israel in
the Arab world and the necessary building blocks of partnership
that could come to fruition with a focus on security and
intelligence. In essence, it was what Israel could bring to the
Arab world and the Arab world could bring to Israel.
What gave the Abraham accords impetus was Iran, along with other
security concerns. However, one should never forget that the
elephant in the room—the Palestinian plight—remains. However, I
am encouraged that US and Palestinian officials are in Riyadh for
talks on a Saudi-Israel deal, but also remembering that it is now
the 30th anniversary since the PLO signed the Oslo accords that
officially recognised Israel—how time flies. Now is the time for
the Oslo accords to be merged with the Abraham accords and come
full circle, bringing equitable and purposeful closure of all the
inequities, which would bring real, sustainable peace and
partnership to the region.
Where do we go from here? Without any question, we are living in
a changing world, where new players on the block are expressing
that enough is enough of the ways of old. We must commend the
historic Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity
Agreement signed yesterday between the US and Bahrain, which
enhances co-operation in areas from defence and security to
emerging technology, trade and investment—useful building blocks
indeed in the region. Nothing now can be taken for granted. You
see it in the Chinese-brokered Saudi-Iran rapprochement, in
Africa with the BRICS enlargement that more increasingly will
drive self-interest, and in a China pushback with the proposed
India-Middle East transport corridor.
On the Abraham accords themselves, undoubtedly a regional trade
agreement must be on the table. But where is the UK in all of
this? Why, with all our past associations and deep sense of
understanding, has the US shuttered us out of the Negev process?
Disrespect, I would call it, for what we could bring forward, and
for what in reality we need in a post-Brexit world. The accords
have been successful for the signatories, and this is an
opportunity for the UK to make an impact in the Middle East. The
UK should be viewed, as we are, as a rock-solid friend who is
forward-thinking and an innovator.
The Abraham accords should be seen as a platform to demonstrate
leadership, and with our financial, legal, and enterprising
expertise, the UK should be moving full steam ahead in supporting
trade and FTAs with the Abraham accords membership. The deeper
the relationship with these countries, the better for the UK and
the West generally in terms of security, peace, and prosperity,
with the additional plus of it becoming more likely that more
countries will join. I join with others in encouraging the
Government to task a dedicated official at the FCDO to advancing
the Abraham accords.
The Deputy Chairman of Committees () (CB)
My Lords, given that we have time, and with the leave of your
Lordships, I will make an executive decision and suggest that the
noble Baroness, Lady Ludford, and the noble Lord, Lord Collins,
should have four minutes rather than three minutes.
3.34pm
(LD)
My Lords, I am so shocked—I am recalling life in the European
Parliament, where we were lucky if we got two minutes.
I am pleased that we are having this debate and congratulate the
noble Lord, , on securing it, almost on the
third anniversary of the signature of the original accords. In
fact, the anniversary is tomorrow, which is also the festival of
Rosh Hashanah, so I wish Jewish colleagues and the community in
general a happy new year and shanah tovah.
I strongly welcome the Abraham accords as a factor of peace and
development in the Middle East region. In the 1970s, I visited
Israel on a scholarship from the Anglo-Israel Association. This
led me on a journey to being today a vice-president of the
Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel, so I am deeply committed to
the security and flourishing of Israel at peace in its
region.
I wrote a pamphlet as a result of that trip which urged regional
economic integration. Yes, I was inspired by the then EEC and I
was thinking of Israel’s neighbours, not Gulf or North African
countries beyond Egypt, but the destination is more important
than the route. People-to-people contacts as much as official
ones will help to normalise relations. Beside trade and tourism,
support in bad times can help. We are, of course, particularly
thinking, as the noble Lord pointed out, of Moroccan, Libyan and,
previously, Turkish victims of terrible disasters. I understand
that several Israeli teams are assisting with the rescue effort
on the ground in Morocco.
The largely positive picture from the Abraham accords is marred
by a deplorable rise in extremism in some quarters. This includes
the absolutely shocking recent remarks by Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas that Hitler murdered European Jews in the Holocaust
not because of anti-Semitism but because of Jews’ “social role”
in society. Those remarks have been greeted with widespread
horror, including by leading Palestinian public figures in an
open letter in which they
‘unequivocally condemn the morally and politically reprehensible
comments’.
Sadly, we also have shocking extremists sharing in government on
the Israeli side. While I will always be a friend of Israel, this
has not made me a friend of all Israeli Governments, but the
current Government are the worst I have ever witnessed. The
make-up and domestic policies of this Netanyahu Government in
encouraging illegal settlements and failing to stop settler
violence against Palestinians are surely deterrents to
reinforcing the Abraham accords—although they in any case bring
their own headaches, such as how to treat Saudi Arabia’s leader
Mohammed Bin Salman—and to any peace with Palestinians. Of course
terrorist attacks by Palestinians on Israeli civilians as much as
Israeli settler violence are deplorable, and I condemn both. The
prospects for peace and a two-state solution with the
Palestinians have rarely looked worse, and the Abraham accords
are not an alternative to that.
On a trip last November with Caabu, I found it sobering to hear
the alienation of young Palestinians from not only Israel but
their own Palestinian Authority, which was last elected 15 years
ago. It is interesting and possibly hopeful that a recent poll
found that while only just over one-quarter of Palestinians in
the West Bank had a positive view of the regional impact of the
Abraham accords, this rose to almost half in Gaza and nearly
two-thirds in east Jerusalem, and a majority of the respondents
in all three places agreed with the statement
“Arab governments are neglecting the Palestinians and starting to
make friends with Israel, because they think the Palestinians
should be more willing to compromise”.
That is food for thought.
I conclude with the obvious questions for the Minister, who can
perhaps report on the Foreign Secretary’s recent visit to Israel.
They are: where do the Government think the Abraham accords are
going? What is the UK Government’s role in them, as the noble
Lord, , asked? Do they offer any hope
for Israeli-Palestinian peace? What shoots of peace can he
discern for us to deliver a happy new year?
3.38pm
(Lab)
My Lords, I too start by mentioning the natural disasters: the
earthquake in Morocco and the horrendous floods in Libya. It
looks as though there were even more deaths in Libya than in
Morocco. We have to give every possible assistance in both cases;
I know the Minister is actively involved in that. I too mark the
new year—Shanah tovah—and hope that our prayers will be
heard.
The normalisation of relations between Israel and the Arab states
is an important step forward that I wholeheartedly welcomed when
the accords were first agreed, and they have improved the
economic prosperity of the countries involved, as we have heard
from the noble Lord, and facilitated co-operation and positive
dialogue. Emphasis needs to be placed on using the accords as a
springboard for meaningful and lasting peace to be negotiated
between the Israelis and the Palestinians. I know the Minister
and the Government share the view that this can only really be
achieved through a two-state solution. The commitment by the US
and others to expand the Abraham accords and organisational
agreements are very much to be welcomed, but, like the noble
Lord, , I urge the Government to use
their strategic influence in the Middle East and north Africa to
offer political leadership for peace and reinforce the Abraham
accords.
Will the Minister outline how he believes the improvement in
relations between Israel and its neighbours can be used to bring
about a renewed focus on a peace process for Israel and
Palestine? As my noble friend mentioned, neither the
Government’s integrated review nor the refresh mentioned the
Abraham accords, so how will the Minister ensure that the UK’s
approach to the Middle East and north Africa is co-ordinated and
that the UK’s international policy is fully aligned? I certainly
believe that they are a positive move and I hope will form a
positive start for peace.
Like the Minister, I visited the West Bank not too long ago with
a cross-party delegation. I visited exactly the same areas as he
did and witnessed some of the violence that was perpetrated
against some of the Palestinian villages. I hope he will agree to
meet that delegation as soon as possible. Whatever is going on in
those areas, we need to ensure that the people who speak for
peace are properly heard and that we reinforce the accords as a
way of achieving that.
3.42pm
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office () (Con)
My Lords, I join others in thanking my noble friend for tabling this debate. I put
on record my sincere thanks to him for what he has done, not just
since the accords were signed but, in advance of that, in
strengthening security and stability. I share very much the
belief of those, including my noble friend and the noble Lords,
and , who say that stability and
security lead to economic prosperity. That can only be good for
the region and the world as a whole.
I join those who have expressed their thoughts and prayers for
the people of Libya. I have spoken to the Libyan President and,
this morning, to Martin Griffiths at the UN. We are co-ordinating
our efforts. I know we will discuss that in the Chamber next
week.
I join others in saying that we stand in absolute solidarity with
Morocco. For most of Saturday night and Sunday morning I was
working through the logistics of our response to the earthquake.
I am delighted that, through the co-ordination we have and our
investment in those relationships—it is not just the Government;
many noble Lords here today have played their part in that—we
were one of the few countries that were first in to make
assessments. I pay tribute immediately to our search and rescue
teams, which are doing such a sterling job. I assure noble Lords
that we have other offers in place in place for both of those
tragedies, and I will update the House accordingly.
Today we are discussing the Abraham accords. I was taken by my
noble friend Lord Hannan’s contribution, when he reminded us of
what looks over us and, indeed, that God minds over us. I totally
align myself with his comments because that is something that we
as people of faith—whatever faith we follow, but particularly
those who follow the Abrahamic faith—should always reflect
on.
My noble friend’s Question is equally poignant today, on the
third anniversary of the historic Abraham accords. Regarding the
UK role, I can put this simply to my noble friend. He rightly
challenged the Government, but a lot has been done. I took on
this brief in November last year and, by the sheer count of
visits to those countries that are within the Abraham accords,
Israel and the Palestinian territories, but equally to those
countries that have not joined them and which are necessary to
ensure stability and security, I can say that the Abraham accords
are very much central to our dialogue.
As several noble Lords have pointed out, my right honourable
friend the Foreign Secretary has just completed his visit to
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. I have not had a
chance to speak to him because he is currently in Turkey, but I
hope to catch up with him tomorrow morning on the outcomes of his
visit.
I assure my noble friend and indeed all noble Lords that the
accords that were signed unblocked new relationships: they were
truly historic. We always talk about the real conflict between
Israelis and Arabs, but we are seeing that narrative change, and
these accords have been central. I assure the noble Lord, , and my noble friend that the work being done by
and his team is very much part and
parcel of our thinking. The accords formed the discussions in
bilateral conversations I have had with Bahrain, Morocco and the
UAE. Equally, I assure noble Lords that we have had strategic
dialogues with all these countries, either in that country or
here, led by either the Foreign Secretary or me. In all these
respects, the Abraham accords have been pivotal to where we stand
and the role we play.
Several noble Lords raised the issue of the Negev courts. This
has indeed been part and parcel of our engagement and
conversations with the United States and all those participating,
including the likes of Morocco, which is to host the next key
meeting. We have also scoped where the UK can really add value,
including on common areas relating to climate. I confirm to the
noble Lord, , that we can use the
opportunity of COP 28 in the UAE to again demonstrate our
commitment in this respect.
As I said, this week, my right honourable friend the Foreign
Secretary visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. Importantly, the noble Baroness, Lady Ludford, and
the right reverend Prelate reflected on this. As the noble Lord,
Lord Collins, said, it was an opportunity to mark the 75th
anniversary of the strong UK-Israeli bilateral relationship and
our close collaboration across a range of priorities. My right
honourable friend engaged with both the Prime Minister of Israel
and my dear friend the Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen. The
relationship includes extensive security and defence
co-operation, which continues to safeguard the UK and Israel’s
national security, as well as our ambitious science, technology
and sustainability partnerships, epitomised by our UK-Israel tech
hub. I have a really positive story from when I visited Israel.
One city that I think the noble Lord, Lord Collins, did not get
to was Haifa, where there is a real demonstration of technology
and community cohesion working so well.
The right reverend Prelate reminded us about the challenge we all
face not just internationally but domestically. What happens in
that part of the world—in the Middle East—plays out in the United
Kingdom. I put on record my absolute abhorrence of those who seek
to use anti-Semitism or Islamophobia and divide communities. That
is not our way, and it should not be the way anywhere in the
world. We will continue to stress that. That rhetoric has rightly
been condemned by this Government—by me and my colleagues.
During his visit to Israel, my right honourable friend the
Foreign Secretary met key leaders but also community leaders. He
also made clear the UK’s position on the Middle East peace
process and called on both Israelis and Palestinians to take
meaningful actions and steps forward, first and foremost, to
reduce tensions and secure peace. If we do not reduce tensions,
we will see a continuation of the current tragic trajectory of
loss of life on both sides. Stability leads to security, and
security feeds economic prosperity.
As I said, the Abraham accords were historic and remain so. In
March this year, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary
signed the UK-Israeli bilateral road map with his counterpart,
Foreign Minister Cohen. The historic significance of the Abraham
accords is rightly in that document—their potential to nurture
profound advancements for security, coexistence, prosperity and
peace for the region and all its peoples. The road map also sets
out our shared ambition to strengthen our partnership with
Israel, boost our economic, security and technology ties, advance
our co-operation on the environment and climate change and
leverage our combined strengths to address global health
challenges.
The UK also continues to work with other Abraham accord countries
on some of these priorities. We work with partners across the
region, including those who are yet to join or sign agreements
with Israel. We believe that we need to build on the positive and
historic progress made at the Negev summit in March 2022. The
noble Lord, Lord Collins, talked about his visit. I am always
keen to meet, so we will of course schedule in a meeting with the
delegation that went.
However, we are negotiating positive relationships with all
countries. In Israel alone, we have started negotiations on an
upgraded trade agreement and our tech hub has now facilitated
hundreds of innovative partnerships. Today, Israel supplies one
in seven of all medicines to the NHS.
While my noble friend is a great advocate for
dedicated resources in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office, I assure him of two things immediately. He has a very
dedicated Foreign Secretary and I hope, with all humility, he
would also recognise a dedicated Minister who is absolutely
committed to the Abraham accords. Equally, from today’s debate we
can see the dedication across your Lordships’ House to ensuring
that the Abraham accords are not just sustained but strengthened,
and that they deliver. My noble friend sought to interject, and I
regret that he arrived late; but I know that he, too, is
committed to the important actions we see with the Abraham
accords.
Whenever I hear the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Stone, he
gives a positive picture and his experience is well documented.
He remarked that the Abraham accords are a great opportunity for
the region. I agree. He said that we want to explore these
opportunities for regional co-operation and development. I agree.
We can all commit to this co-ordinating with the emerging
regional architecture in the areas of security, stability and
economic progress. We continue to work with Israel through the
British Israel investment group, exploring opportunities to
combine UK and Israeli expertise to tackle technological and
sustainability issues across the Middle East.
On the other Abraham accord countries, I have already alluded to
the extensive programmes, visits and engagements we have had. In
December 2020, the UK Government warmly welcomed the
normalisation of relations between Israel and Morocco. We also
value the normalisation of relations with the UAE, Bahrain and
Sudan that the accords enabled. The accords have led to a
substantial increase in trade, as my noble friend highlighted, between all the
countries. Just this month, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen
visited Bahrain further to strengthen economic and cultural
tries.
I can report to the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, who has had to
leave, the noble Lord, , and the noble Baroness,
Lady Ludford, that we are very much committed to this. Earlier
today, I had a very good meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister
of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and part of our wide-ranging
discussion was on the important support that the United Kingdom
lends to normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel. We are
working very closely in several respects.
However, we must not forget the importance of current Israeli
peace agreements, such as those with the Kingdom of Jordan and
Egypt, which are crucial partners and neighbours of Israel. We
have seen great benefit to all these countries. Great courage and
conviction were shown by the leaders of Israel, Egypt and Jordan
in signing peace agreements, and we must ensure that they too
deliver. That is part of the security and stability for resolving
the Palestinian issue.
My noble friend and the noble Lord, , talked about encouraging
other countries. Of course, we are committed to that. I assure
the noble Baroness, Lady Ludford, that we are equally committed
to finding a lasting solution to the current conflict between the
Israelis and the Palestinians. This month is the 30thanniversary
of the Oslo accords, a moment of hope that showed us what is
possible in the peace process, and we are committed to that.
I thank all noble Lords for their insightful and expert
contributions. We believe that the Abraham accords have generated
new momentum and have brought greater stability and security to
so many. The UK is committed to ensuring that normalisation
delivers benefits for the Palestinian people. It was a historic
milestone that brings us closer to the goal of shared prosperity
and peace throughout the region.
I shall end with a personal anecdote which my noble friend knows all too well. My noble
friend Lord Hannan talked about the prophet Abraham. I remember
as a born-and-bred Brit Muslim by faith attending a Church of
England school, returning home looking rather confused and asking
my mother “What is Judaism?” Like all good mothers, she gave me
something to eat, and after food for the stomach, she gave me
food for thought. She said: “Tarik, when we build a house, we lay
a foundation, then we put in the walls, and then we lay the roof
on top of that house. As Muslims, we believe the foundation of
our faith is Judaism. Without the foundations of Judaism, the
walls of Christianity would not have been erected and without the
walls of Christianity, the roof of Islam would not have completed
what we call the house of Abraham. The other doors and windows
represent other faiths and beliefs and how, ultimately, to find
peace, security, stability and progress, we must come together in
the house of God”. In that spirit, on the occasion of the Jewish
new year, Rosh Hashanah, I, too, wish everyone of the Jewish
faith here in the UK and across the world shanah tovah u'metukah.
|
