I have just returned from my first official visit to
the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and
Israel.
I was pleased to meet Palestinians in East Jerusalem,
Hebron, and Abu Nuwar Bedouin Community in Area C of
the West Bank. I heard from human rights defenders
about the impact of Israel’s occupation and saw the
assistance that UK aid is providing to some of the
most vulnerable in Palestinian society. I had a
positive first meeting with Prime Minister Hamdallah
to discuss these issues, the situation in Gaza and
reaffirm the UK’s commitment to strengthening the
UK-Palestinian Authority relationship. In my role as
Minister for Human Rights, including the right to
freedom of religion or belief, I met with the
Palestinian Minister for Religious Affairs Youssef
Ideiss, and hosted an interfaith roundtable.
In Israel, I was humbled to attend the State Opening
Ceremony for Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance
Day at Yad Vashem. I had constructive meetings with
Israeli ministers Tzachi Hanegbi and Ayelet Shaked,
re-affirming the UK’s commitment to our bilateral
relationship with Israel, and raising our human
rights concerns relating to the occupation, including
the issue of Palestinian children in Israeli military
detention. I also met with Israeli companies working
on counter terrorism technologies, to discuss what
more we can do together to prevent terrorist use of
the internet.
I remain deeply concerned about the situation in
Gaza, and in particular by the high number of
Palestinian deaths in recent weeks. With the
Palestinian leadership I reaffirmed the right of the
Gazan people, as indeed all peoples, to protest
peacefully. It is important to understand the role
Hamas continues to play in fomenting the violence.
The UK recognises that Israel has the right to
protect its borders against Hamas and other terrorist
groups but as I said to Israeli Ministers, they must
show restraint and consider carefully its use of
force in response to future protests.
In my engagement with both Israelis and Palestinians
I stressed the importance of addressing the
underlying causes of the economic and humanitarian
situation, and in particular to improve movement and
access for people and goods.
My visit illustrated the urgent need for progress
towards a two-state solution, so that Israelis and
Palestinians can finally live with the peace and
dignity they deserve.
