Palestine–United Kingdom relations
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The United Kingdom maintains a consulate-general in East Jerusalem to "work on political, commercial, security and economic interests between the UK and the Palestinian territories".[1] The consulate-general "represents the UK government in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza".[1]
The State of Palestine was represented in London by Manuel Hassassian,[2] the Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom between 2005 and 2018.[needs update?] Another former Palestinian General Delegate to the UK was Afif Safieh, who began in that role in 1990.[citation needed]
History
Since the Six-Day War, the British government has been active to achieve a diplomatic settlement of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The issue of a Palestinian state was raised already in July 1967 by Labour MP Paul Rose.[3]
Margaret Thatcher supported in general a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation and was willing to consider some PLO involvement in this solution.[4]
Possible recognition of Palestine
In September 2011, Britain said it would recognise Palestine as a state, but only with non-member observer status, rather than full membership, at the United Nations.[5] In October 2014, the UK House of Commons passed a Motion which called on the Government to recognise Palestine as an independent state.[6] Also in October 2014, the devolved government of Scotland called for recognition of Palestine as an independent state and for the UK to open an Embassy.[7] Jeremy Corbyn, former Leader of the Opposition, is a longtime advocate for Palestinian causes and repeatedly pledged to recognise the country if elected.[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b "British Consulate-General Jerusalem". gov.uk. Government Digital Service. 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Country Profile: The Occupied Palestinian Territories Archived 24 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "MIDDLE EAST (Hansard, 17 July 1967)".
- ^ "Middle East: MT letter to King Hussein of Jordan (Jordan, Israel and the PLO) ["Your discussions are most important in bringing the PLO to face the reality of their position"] [released 2013]". Margaret Thatcher Foundation.
- ^ Staff writers (18 September 2011). "UK only backs 'Observer' status for Palestine". PressTV. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ^ "MPs back Palestinian statehood alongside Israel". BBC News. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ^ "Calls to recognise Palestine". scotland.gov.uk. 12 October 2014. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ Mills, Jen (26 September 2018). "Jeremy Corbyn promises to 'recognise Palestinian state as soon as we take office'". Metro. London: DMG Media. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.