Involving All Parties
[Paragraph 86] The Quartet and the UK Government
have supported the Annapolis Peace conference in the face of what
appears to many to be a difficult, if not impossible situation—increased
attacks by both Israel and Palestinian groups over the last year,
the lack of Palestinian unity, a humanitarian crisis in Gaza,
continued obstacles to movement and access, the construction of
the Barrier on occupied land and the expansion of settlements
in the West Bank. Whilst it is important to be optimistic in situations
of ongoing conflict the international community must do more to
ensure that all parties address these issues if a peace deal is
to be credible.
The Government agrees that it is critical that the
actions of both parties serve to reinforce the peace process.
The Prime Minister has been clear about the damage settlement
construction does. We lobby the Israelis consistently on movement
and access, and Gaza. We press the Palestinians to reform and
build their institutions. We are investing heavily in building
the capacity of the Palestinian Authority and reforming their
security sector. We will continue to do so.
[Paragraph 87] The international community must
also do more to ensure that the issues we have raised are addressed
in practice as well as in theory. The Quartet is right to insist
that a lasting settlement must be based on both Israel and Palestine
recognizing each other's right to exist, on an end to violence
and on acceptance by both parties of existing agreements. Following
the Hamas victory in the parliamentary elections of 2006, the
Quartet decided that acceptance of these principles would become
a precondition to its even having any dialogue with any Palestinian
government which included Hamas. This approach has achieved very
little in the last two years and has contributed to increasing
tension between Hamas and Fatah. The Hamas armed takeover of Gaza
was neither justified nor acceptable and the international community
is right to recognize the government of the West Bank and Gaza
appointed by President Abbas. However, it remains important to
bring Hamas into dialogue and into the peace process. The current
truce between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt provides the
opportunity to do that. We urge the UK Government and the international
community to seize this opportunity.
The Government shares the Committee's view that the
ceasefire is a very positive step. The Government also welcomes
President Abbas' attempts to promote reconciliation in Palestinian
politics. It is for President Abbas to develop the way forward.
However, this does not change our position that any
dialogue with Hamas must be based on the Quartet principles. These
are non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous
agreements and obligations. These are not unreasonable and are
fundamental for a viable peace process.
The Egyptian-Brokered Truce
[Paragraph 89] We hope that the truce will hold
and that the period of calm will be used to reassess strategies
for progress towards peace. Hamas must be encouraged to meet the
Quartet conditions and Israel must open the borders and allow
full humanitarian access. Much is required of both parties and
we hope each will step up to its responsibilities. Equally the
international community must at all costs avoid supporting measures
that add legitimacy to, or entrench, the occupation and lead effectively
to two states sharing the same territory in the West Bank. Instead
it should press as hard as possible for a long-term solution and
to maintain the momentum towards peace. It failed to do this when
the National Unity Government was formed, with dire consequences.
The current truce provides another opportunity to move forward
after a prolonged period of seeming hopelessness. This moment
of optimism must be seized and the peace process advanced with
energy and commitment on all sides.
The Government agrees that is it critical to put
as much momentum behind the peace process as possible. We will
work with the parties involved and our international partners
to make as rapid progress as possible, alongside pressing for
real improvements to deliver justice for Palestinians and security
for Israelis.
