Today, there was a short debate about the possible vote for a Palestinian State in the United Nations. I made the point, that whilst Israel supported the establishment for a Palestinian State through negotiation, it was difficult to negotiate with a partner (Hamas), that is part terrorist, refuses to recognise Israel, and fires missiles onto Israeli Towns, to cause maximum damage to civilians.
My question is below:
Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Does my hon. Friend acknowledge that when Netanyahu visited the United States in May 2011 he said that he wanted to negotiate with the Palestinians and that Israel would not be the last country to welcome a Palestinian state? However, does he not also agree that it is difficult to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority when its main partner is Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel or renounce terrorism and continues to fire missiles on Israeli towns?
Alistair Burt: Our position on Hamas is well known and we have no contact with it. However, as we know, there are difficulties on all sides, and each side has reasons why it has not wanted to proceed to negotiations or why it might rebuff others. Equally, each side knows that if it really wants a settlement, it is in its power to try to overcome those difficulties, seek confidence and assurances from each other and move on. What is different now—this may come through next week—is the urgency of the situation, as conveyed by the whole international community. We need to make progress and that requires all sides to be prepared to take the steps to help that happen, difficult though they may be.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
