Well, well, well. The conflict in the Middle East has caused splits among the Labour lot and now it seems serious divides are forming in the Conservative party over the issue. As reported by the Guardian, it transpires that more than a dozen senior Tory MPs and peers have broken ranks and written to Sir Keir Starmer calling for the UK to immediately recognise Palestine as a state. The seven MPs and six House of Lords grandees have signed a letter that insists ‘recognising Palestine would affirm our nation’s commitment to upholding the principles of justice, self-determination and equal rights’. Yet this is very much not the stance of the Conservative party leadership…
The letter was signed by several senior Tory figures on the moderate side of the party, including MPs Kit Malthouse, Simon Hoare and father of the house Sir Edward Leigh alongside peers such as Nicholas Soames and Hugo Swire. Mr S was rather interested to note that there were some more surprising signatories, however, with right-wing Conservative MP Sir John Hayes backing the call. How very curious…
In the letter, the group writes that:
For decades, the Palestinian people have endured occupation, displacement and systemic restrictions on their basic freedoms. Recognising Palestine would affirm our nation’s commitment to upholding the principles of justice, self-determination and equal rights. It would send a clear message that Britain stands against indefinite occupation and supports the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations.
Recognition should not be treated as a distant bargaining chip but as a necessary step to reinforce international law and diplomacy. Prime Minister, we stand ready to offer our public support for this decision. This is an opportunity for Britain to show leadership, to be on the right side of history and to uphold the principles we claim to champion. More than 140 United Nation member states have already recognised Palestine – it is time for the United Kingdom to do the same.
Yet under Kemi Badenoch, the Tory party has taken a different official position, with a spokesperson remarking today:
Our longstanding position has been that we will recognise a Palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process. We are not at that point now and we are clear that recognition cannot be the start of the process.
The plea comes as countries that do not formally recognise a Palestinian state are considering changing their position. Next month, France and Saudi Arabia will jointly host a conference that aims to bolster support for a two-state solution and French President Emmanuel Macron has hinted that his nation may grant formal recognition to Palestine. David Lammy admitted last week that the government is in talks with France about its plans for the conference – but Starmer’s government appears to not want to get too ahead of the US on the matter. And it doesn’t appear the group’s letter has changed much so far – despite their efforts, the PM has not, it is understood, responded to their request.
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