Following the Prime Minister's calls with the King of Jordan,
Prime Minister of Israel, President of the Palestinian Authority
and Prime Minister of Canada today, a Downing Street spokeswoman
said:
“The Prime Minister spoke to His Majesty the King of Jordan
Abdullah II this morning.
“They discussed the appalling humanitarian catastrophe unfolding
in Gaza and agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire, the
release of all hostages and immediate access for humanitarian
aid.
“The Prime Minister thanked His Majesty for Jordan's work to
urgently deliver much needed aid into Gaza. They welcomed the
accelerated work on aid drops between the UK and Jordan in recent
days, with UK aid successfully delivered through this method
today. However, they agreed that this could not be a substitute
for truck deliveries by land, which are the only way to deliver
the level of food and other aid urgently needed.
“The Prime Minister then set out that his plans, together with
allies, to develop a pathway to peace in order to ensure an
urgently needed ceasefire can turn into long-term stability and
security in the region. He said that recognition of a Palestinian
State must be part of this plan, in order to preserve the
possibility of a two state solution, which is under threat like
never before.
“Turning to wider regional stability, the leaders discussed the
situation in Syria and the Prime Minister thanked His Majesty for
his efforts to de-escalate recent violence.
“The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.”
ISRAEL
A Downing Street spokeswoman said:
“The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin
Netanyahu this afternoon.
“The Prime Minister started by setting out how the UK remains
unequivocal that the terrorist atrocities carried out by Hamas on
7 October 2023 were abhorrent, and that we have always
condemned them in the strongest terms. He said that we are
unwavering in our call for the immediate and unconditional
release of all hostages who are still being so cruelly held, and
that we are clear that Israel has a right to self-defence and
security.
“He said that the situation in Gaza was intolerable and that the
need for humanitarian access is now more pressing than ever
before. He urged the Prime Minister to take immediate action to
lift all restrictions on aid access and get those suffering in
Gaza the food they need.
“In this context, he shared his intention to chair a Cabinet
meeting today to discuss next steps to alleviate the humanitarian
situation, to secure the release of all remaining hostages, to
develop with allies a long-term political settlement for the
region, and to consider next steps on the recognition of
Palestine.”
PA
A Downing Street spokeswoman said:
“The Prime Minister spoke to President of the Palestinian
Authority, Mahmoud Abbas this afternoon.
“The leaders condemned in the strongest terms the appalling
suffering unfolding in Gaza, and agreed on the urgent need for a
ceasefire and for the immediate and unrestricted delivery of aid.
“They also reiterated that Hamas must release all remaining
hostages, commit to disarmament and accept that they will play no
role in the governance of Gaza, in order to pave the way for a
solution which provides peace and security for Israelis and
Palestinians.
“The President welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment today to
recognise the State of Palestine before UNGA in September unless
Israel changes its course, as part of a wider plan for peace in
the region being pursued together with partners.
“They agreed to speak again soon.”
CANADA
A Downing Street spokeswoman said:
“The Prime Minister spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
this afternoon.
“He started by setting out his announcement this afternoon that
the UK is on a path to recognise the State of Palestine before
UNGA in September unless Israel significantly changes course. He
said that this would be part of a process that ultimately results
in peace and security for those in the region, and set out the
details of the pathway to peace, working with other key allies.
“The Prime Minister was clear that the UK remains unwavering in
its call for Hamas to release all hostages, that it must disarm,
and that it can play no role in the governance of a future
Palestinian state. He said that the UK's action was driven by
alleviating the situation on the ground and bringing an end to
the appalling suffering and starvation taking place.
“They agreed that aid must urgently be delivered into Gaza in
significant volumes, and committed to work together on practical
solutions to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation
unfolding.
“The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.”
