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[AS
ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO
READ GOOD ARTICLES IN FULL: HELP
SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and
conversations) THAT EMPOWER
DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE &
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Palestine]
http://www.maannews.net/ENG/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=660880
Published Tuesday 07/01/2014 (updated) 09/01/2014
Vincent Fean is the British Consul-General to Jerusalem. The US-sponsored peace talks are well under way: a moment to take stock, and to look forward.
The
UK is a consistent, close friend of the Palestinian and the Israeli
peoples. We seek a just and lasting resolution of this conflict, based
on universally shared values.
And we have our opinion about how
the conflict could end: in a negotiated solution with a safe and secure
Israel living at peace side by side with a safe, secure, viable and
sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders with agreed land
swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair
and agreed solution for refugees.
There are spoilers on both
sides of this conflict who do not wish this outcome. Whoever planted a
bomb on a bus in Israel must not be allowed to win. President Abbas is
right: violence only breeds violence. The way forward is the way he has
chosen: the way of hope, with justice, to achieve a lasting peace. The
way of dialogue and negotiation.
President Obama and Secretary
Kerry are leading the peace negotiations, which are confidential --
rightly. The two parties can make the compromises needed for peace only
away from the glare of publicity. But what is the role of Europe, and
particularly my country, during this crucial time? For we do have a role
-- an important one.
First, to underline the urgent need for an
agreement. Systematic settlement expansion is the biggest single threat
to the two state solution which is our shared objective. Time is not on
our side.
Second, to encourage both parties to negotiate in earnest, for the common good.
Third,
to offer hope to both of a better future for their children through an
agreed outcome. That is why Britain led the way for Europe to offer
unprecedented support to both states in the event of a peace deal. The
EU stands ready to enter into a Special Privileged Partnership with the
future state of Palestine and with Israel. For the Palestinian people, a
just negotiated peace with Israel will bring huge rewards, including
much closer political, economic and cultural ties with Europe.
That
is the actively supportive British role at this time. We support
President Abbas' government, led by Rami Hamdallah -- the best and only
vehicle for the eventual international recognition of the sovereign
Palestinian state.
The EU stands by its principled
differentiation between Green Line Israel and all settlements, which we
condemn as illegal under international law. The EU Funding Guidelines in
relation to settlements come into force on Jan. 1, 2014, and will be
implemented without fear or favor.
We maintain our principled
opposition to house demolitions. The UK strongly believes that the
promotion of business ties and respect for human rights are inseparable.
Our guidance to British businesses here reflects our consistent view:
the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights are
territories occupied by Israel since 1967.
We will not recognize
any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to
Jerusalem, unless they are agreed explicitly by the two parties. There
are therefore clear risks related to economic and financial activities
in the settlements. We do not encourage or offer British Government
support to such activity.
Bilaterally, we are committed to
deepening our ties to the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank and
in East Jerusalem. Next spring we hold our first strategic dialogue with
the Palestinian Authority under Prime Minister Hamdallah, while the
Palestine/Britain Business Council meets in London on March 20 to create
new business ties in ICT, agribusiness, tourism, and investment in
Jerusalem.
We are creating a hub in the Consulate to act as a
focus for ICT business links, investing in the ingenuity and creativity
of Palestinian entrepreneurs. Gaza is an essential element in this work;
the UK Development Ministry is working there, in East Jerusalem and in
the West Bank to help Palestinian businesses to grow and prosper.
Gaza
is fundamental to the future Palestinian state. The 1.7 million
Palestinians in Gaza will be among its citizens. Today, they are
suffering unsustainable, unjustifiable hardship – power cuts of up to 18
hours a day, poor drinking water, students and the sick unable to
leave.
UNRWA is doing its best to cope, with strong UK support,
but Gazans need and deserve better. Hamas needs to abide by the
ceasefire agreed last year, including a complete need to militant
activities and rocket fire. All parties need to build on the ceasefire
to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
There needs to
be an agreement between Egypt and the PA to reopen Rafah to legitimate
travel, and there needs to be fuel to keep the power station going. The
President and Prime Minister Hamdallah are active on both fronts, with
strong UK and EU support. There is great urgency.
As my wife
Anne and I prepare to return to London after more than three years with
you, we wish to thank all those in the very active Palestinian civil
society who have worked with us to deepen bilateral ties between our two
peoples – from Nabi Saleh to al Aqaba, from Qalandiya to Cremisan.
I
am convinced that the current efforts to establish peace with justice
and dignity deserve all our support. The aim is noble -- a safe and
secure Israel, living next to the sovereign State of Palestine espousing
democracy, the rule of law and peaceful coexistence with its neighbors,
first and foremost Israel, with freedom of movement and worship for all
who hold Jerusalem sacred.
It is an aim worthy of sacrifices,
and needing international support. With our partners, the United Kingdom
is working hard to make it become reality.
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