Statement by Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the Security Council Emergency Session
on Jerusalem.
Thank you Mr President, both for giving me the floor and for
scheduling this important meeting.
Nikolay, thank you for your briefing. In particular for your
unequivocal support for the two-state solution and for your
warnings against unilateral measures that jeopardise the prospect
of a sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians. From the
outset, I would like to make clear that the United Kingdom’s
position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing:
it should be determined through a negotiated settlement between
the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should
ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian
states. In line with relevant Security Council Resolutions,
including 242, 478 and 2334, we regard East Jerusalem as part of
the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
We therefore disagree with the US decision to move its embassy to
Jerusalem and unilaterally to recognise Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel before a final status agreement. These decisions are
unhelpful to the prospects for peace in the region, an aim that I
know all of us in this Council remain committed to. The British
Embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to
move it.
Mr President,
We share President Trump’s desire to bring an end to this
conflict. We welcome his commitment to a two-state solution
negotiated between the parties. We note his clear acknowledgement
of the importance of the final status of Jerusalem, including the
sovereign boundaries within the city, which must be subject to
negotiations between the parties.
We remain committed to an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement
that is based on 1967 borders with agreed and equal land swaps,
reflecting both parties’ national and religious interests; and
with Jerusalem as the shared capital of an Israeli and
Palestinian state. This outcome must be determined through a
final status agreement, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic
settlement for refugees, that is demographically compatible with
the principle of two states for two peoples.
Mr President,
We recognise that Jerusalem holds huge significance and holiness
for Jews, Muslims and Christians. We reiterate the fundamental
necessity of maintaining the status quo at the Holy Sites, in
particular the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif and we welcome
President Trump’s call on the parties to maintain that status
quo. Access and religious rights of both peoples must be
respected. We value Jordan’s important role as custodian of the
Holy Sites, and remain fully supportive of their efforts to
maintain calm.
We are deeply concerned by continued developments on the ground
that undermine the prospects for a two-state solution. As the
Quartet has made clear, settlement construction and expansion,
particularly in East Jerusalem is a significant barrier to
achieving that solution. Terrorism and incitement to violence
constitute another crucial barrier. We will continue to press the
parties to refrain from actions which make a viable peace more
difficult to achieve. A just and lasting resolution to end the
occupation and deliver peace for both Israelis and Palestinians
is long overdue. Recent developments demonstrate the urgency of
progress towards peace.
Today I reaffirm our strong support for renewed peace
negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians as soon as
possible. These should be supported by the international
community and should result in a safe and secure Israel living
alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
We welcome the UN Secretary-General’s intent to do everything in
his power to support the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to
return to meaningful negotiations and to realize this vision of a
lasting peace for both peoples.
We strongly encourage the US Administration to bring forward
detailed proposals for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. The UK
will also do everything we can to support progress and achieve
the vision of a lasting peace.
To have the best chances of success, the peace process must be
conducted in an atmosphere free from violence. We call on all
parties to maintain calm, and work together in a spirit of
commitment to this common enterprise.
On Jerusalem specifically, peace efforts need to take account of
the people, not just the land and the Holy Sites. There are more
than 320,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem. The vast majority
are permanent residents whose permits can be revoked at any
point. If they move away from the city, Israel often does not
allow them back. If they marry, they face obstacle in bringing
their spouses. If they apply for Israeli citizenship, and most do
not, a high proportion of applications are rejected. Their status
must not be forgotten in any peace effort.
Mr President,
If all parties can truly take bold steps in the spirit of
compromise, I have no doubt that an agreement can finally be
reached. This is the only way to ensure the long-term security
that Israelis deserve, and the statehood and end to the
occupation that Palestinians are calling out for. This is what
both peoples ought to have. It has been denied to them for too
long.
