Home Secretary visited Israel and the
Occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this week to
discuss the region’s security, tackling extremism and the
importance of freedom of religion.
On Sunday 30 June, Mr Javid visited Ramallah where he met
the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.
They discussed bilateral cooperation in the security
sector, the current political and fiscal challenges facing
the Palestinian Authority and the impact of the occupation.
Mr Javid reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the two-state
solution, based on 1967 borders with Jerusalem as a shared
capital as the path to unlocking the peace, prosperity and
freedom desired by Israelis and Palestinians.
On Monday 1 July he visited the Old City of Jerusalem – one
of the most sacred and holy sites in the world for
Christians, Jews and Muslims alike, becoming the first
British Cabinet Minister to say a prayer at the Al Aqsa
Mosque, and visit the Haram Al Sharif/Temple Mount. He also
paid his respects at the Western Wall and the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre.
Mr Javid later met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, where he praised the strength of the 2
countries’ bilateral relationship, and discussed Iran, the
concerning rise of antisemitism and prospects for peace
with the Palestinians.
He also discussed strengthening security cooperation with
Israeli Minister for Public Security, Strategic Affairs and
Information, Gilad Erdan.
Mr Javid also visited the Holocaust Memorial Centre of
Yad-Vashem where he heard moving stories of bravery and
compassion in the most tragic and horrifying of
circumstances. He emphasised that we must ensure such
abhorrent crimes never happen again and fight religious
intolerance wherever it arises.
Home Secretary said:
It was an honour to meet our friends in Israel and the
Occupied Palestinian Territories to discuss our continued
commitment to security and the pursuit of peace.
The importance of the political progress needed to unlock
a just and lasting peace is inescapable in the Old City
of Jerusalem. With sites sacred to Christians, Muslims
and Jews, all believers need to be able to practise their
faith freely, peacefully and without fear.
As Home Secretary, I’m committed to working with friends
at home and abroad to tackle all forms of religious
hatred – including antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and
the persecution of Christians.
