We must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Palestinian membership of the UN.
The United Kingdom reiterates its commitment to making progress towards a two-state solution, in which a safe and secure Israel lives alongside a sovereign, viable Palestinian state.
We agree that the people of the West Bank and Gaza must be given the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future. And it needs to be irreversible. This is not entirely in our gift. But our recognition of a Palestinian state should be part of it.
We believe that such recognition of Palestinian statehood should not come at the start of a new process, but it doesn’t have to be at the very end of the process.
We must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza.
Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and must be part of a future Palestinian state.
However, Hamas is still in control of parts of Gaza and Israeli hostages remain in captivity – this shows that we are still at the start of the process.
Ensuring Hamas is no longer in charge of Gaza and removing Hamas’ capacity to launch attacks against Israel are essential and unavoidable steps on the road to lasting peace; as is working together to support the new Palestinian government as it takes much-needed steps on reform and resumes governance in Gaza as well as the West Bank.
We abstained on this resolution today because we must keep our focus on securing an immediate pause in order to get aid in and hostages out; then making progress towards a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.
Our Foreign Secretary has been in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week to offer our support towards achieving this.
We will continue to work urgently to help bring peace and galvanise a political process towards a two-state solution which provides justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.