Palestine–United Kingdom relations

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British–Palestinian relations
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The United Kingdom does not recognise Palestine as a state. [1] The UK has a non-accredited Consulate General in Jerusalem that "represents the UK government in Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza", and works on "political, commercial, security and economic interests between the UK and the Palestinian territories". [2] Husam Zomlot became head of the Palestine Mission to the United Kingdom in 2018. [3] [4] The State of Palestine was represented in London by Manuel Hassassian, [5] the Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom between 2005 and 2018. Another former Palestinian General Delegate to the UK was Afif Safieh, who began in that role in 1990.[ citation needed ] The UK House of Commons voted in favor of recognizing Palestine as a state in 2014, as a contribution towards achieving a negotiated two-state solution. [6] However, the UK government maintained its policy of reserving the right to recognize Palestine bilaterally at a more opportune time for peace efforts.

Contents

History

British Foreign Secretary William Hague meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in September 2013 Foreign Secretary William Hague meeting President Mahmoud Abbas in London, 9 September 2013. (9706910143).jpg
British Foreign Secretary William Hague meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in September 2013

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. [7] Margaret Thatcher generally supported a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation and was willing to consider some Palestine Liberation Organization involvement in this solution. [8]

In February 2021, the British Consul-General in Jerusalem, Philip Hall, condemned settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories as "illegal and an obstacle to restarting peace talks" between Israel and Palestine. [9] That same month, the Court of First Instance in Nablus ruled that the British government's Balfour Declaration in 1917 was invalid and called on the British government to issue an apology to the Palestinian people. [10] In April, the Palestinian government said that relations had reached a "low point" after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his opposition to an International Criminal Court investigation into alleged war crimes in the Israeli-occupied territories. [11] [12] In May, Pro-Palestinian protests were held in London during that month's Israel–Palestine crisis. [13]

Economic relations

From 1 July 1997 until 30 December 2020, trade between the Palestinian Authority and the UK was governed by the Palestinian Authority–European Union Association Agreement, while the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union. [14] Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the UK and the Palestinian Authority signed a continuity trade agreement on 18 February 2019, based on the EU free trade agreement; the agreement entered into force on 1 January 2021. [15] [16] Trade value between Palestinian Authority and the United Kingdom was worth £69 million in 2022. [17]

Possible recognition of Palestine

Pro-Palestinian demonstration in London in May 2021 9 May 2021 Downing Street pro-Palestinian demonstration.jpg
Pro-Palestinian demonstration in London in May 2021

In October 2014, the UK House of Commons passed a motion which called on the government to recognise Palestine as an independent state. [18] 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 there. [19] Jeremy Corbyn, former Leader of the Opposition, is a longtime advocate for Palestinian causes and repeatedly pledged to recognise the country if elected. [20]

In January 2024 the Foreign Secretary, David Cameron indicated that the United Kingdom could formally recognise and establish diplomatic relations to a Palestinian state during the negotiations for a peace deal of the Israel–Hamas war. [21] Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot remarked that it is the “first time a UK foreign secretary considers recognising the State of Palestine, bilaterally and in the UN, as a contribution to a peaceful solution rather than an outcome”. [22]

On 8 February 2024, Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy stated that a Labour government would consider unilaterally recognising a Palestinian state if they entered government in the 2024 general election. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestinian Authority</span> Interim government in Western Asia

The Palestinian Authority, officially known as the Palestinian National Authority or the State of Palestine, is the Fatah-controlled government body that exercises partial civil control over the Palestinian enclaves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a consequence of the 1993–1995 Oslo Accords. The Palestinian Authority controlled the Gaza Strip prior to the Palestinian elections of 2006 and the subsequent Gaza conflict between the Fatah and Hamas parties, when it lost control to Hamas; the PA continues to claim the Gaza Strip, although Hamas exercises de facto control. Since January 2013, the Palestinian Authority has used the name "State of Palestine" on official documents, although the United Nations continues to recognize the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as the "representative of the Palestinian people".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the State of Palestine</span>

The history of the State of Palestine describes the creation and evolution of the State of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During the British mandate period, numerous plans of partition of Palestine were proposed but without the agreement of all parties. In 1947, the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine was voted for. The leaders of the Jewish Agency for Palestine accepted parts of the plan, while Arab leaders refused it. This triggered the 1947–1949 Palestine war and led, in 1948, to the establishment of the state of Israel on a part of Mandate Palestine as the Mandate came to an end.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupied Palestinian territories</span> Occupied Palestinian territory in the Middle East

The occupied Palestinian territories, also referred to as the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the Palestinian territories, consist of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip—two regions of the former British Mandate for Palestine that have been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967. These territories make up the State of Palestine, which was self-declared by the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1988 and is recognized by 145 out of 193 UN member states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State of Palestine</span> Country in West Asia

Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is a country in the southern Levant region of West Asia recognized by 145 out of 193 UN member states. It encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, collectively known as the Occupied Palestinian territories, within the broader geographic and historical Palestine region. The country shares most of its borders with Israel, and it borders Jordan to the east and Egypt to the southwest. It has a total land area of 6,020 square kilometres (2,320 sq mi) while its population exceeds five million people. Its proclaimed capital is Jerusalem, while Ramallah serves as its administrative center. Gaza City was its largest city until 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Status of Jerusalem</span> Legal and diplomatic status

The status of Jerusalem has been described as "one of the most intractable issues in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict" due to the long-running territorial dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, both of which claim it as their capital city. Part of this issue of sovereignty is tied to concerns over access to holy sites in the Abrahamic religions; the current religious environment in Jerusalem is upheld by the "Status Quo" of the former Ottoman Empire. As the Israeli–Palestinian peace process has primarily navigated the option of a two-state solution, one of the largest points of contention has been East Jerusalem, which was part of the Jordanian-annexed West Bank until the beginning of the Israeli occupation in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel is an associated state of the European Union. The relations between the two are framed in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, and the Union for the Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–United Kingdom relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–United Kingdom relations, or Anglo-Israeli relations, are the diplomatic and commercial ties between the United Kingdom and Israel. The British embassy to Israel is located in Tel Aviv. The UK has an honorary consul in Eilat and a non-accredited consulate-general in Jerusalem, that represents the United Kingdom in that city and the Palestinian territories. Israel has three representative offices in the United Kingdom: an Embassy located in London and consulates in Cardiff and Glasgow. As of 2023 trade exceeded 6.1 billion British pounds. Israel and the UK engage together in scientific research, defence and the development of new technologies, with the UK seeking to tap into Israel's considerable high technology sector through local British initiatives. The UK since 2011 has sought to partner British companies with Israeli advanced technology companies. The UK Israeli cooperation has generated £1.2 billion as well as 16,000 British jobs of 250 such partnerships. The United Kingdom and Israel are currently negotiating renewing a free trade agreement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ireland–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

Ireland–Israel relations are foreign relations between Ireland and Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

The bilateral relations between Australia and Israel were formally established in 1949. Australia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel has an embassy in Canberra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–Palestine relations</span> Bilateral relations

China–Palestine relations, also referred to as Sino–Palestinian relations, encompass the long bilateral relationship between China and Palestine dating back from the early years of the Cold War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestine–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

Political relations between the State of Palestine and the United States have been complex and strained since the 1960s. While the U.S. does not recognize the State of Palestine, it recognizes the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate representative entity for the Palestinian people; following the Oslo Accords, it recognized the Palestinian National Authority as the legitimate Palestinian government of the Palestinian territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestine–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between the European Union and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) were established in 1975 as part of the Euro-Arab Dialogue. The EU is a member of the Quartet and is the single largest donor of foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority.

The foreign relations of the State of Palestine have been conducted since the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964. Since the Oslo Accords, it seeks to obtain universal recognition for the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. As of 21 June 2024, 146 of the 193 United Nations (UN) member states officially recognize the State of Palestine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International recognition of the State of Palestine</span>

As of June 2024, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 146 of the 193 member states of the United Nations, or just over 75% of all UN members. It has been a non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly since November 2012. This limited status is largely due to the fact that the United States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, has consistently used its veto or threatened to do so to block Palestine's full UN membership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greece–Palestine relations</span> Bilateral relations

Greece–Palestine relations are bilateral relations between the Hellenic Republic and the State of Palestine. Due to the historical ties between the two countries, Greece and Palestine today enjoy excellent diplomatic relations. Palestine has a representative office in Athens and Greece's consulate general in Jerusalem is accredited to Palestine. The two countries are members of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestine–Spain relations</span> Bilateral relations

Palestine–Spain relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Palestine has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has a consulate general in East Jerusalem that serves the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem.

Husam Zomlot Palestinian diplomat

Husam Said Zomlot is a Palestinian diplomat, academic and economist. He was appointed Head of the Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom in October 2018. Before his posting to the UK, he served as head of the PLO mission to the United States that was closed by President Donald Trump's administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Palestine relations</span> Bilateral relations

Australia–Palestine relations refer to foreign relations between Australia and the State of Palestine. Australia does not recognise the State of Palestine but does support a two state solution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand–Palestine relations</span> Bilateral relations

New Zealand–Palestine relations refer to foreign relations between New Zealand and the State of Palestine. New Zealand does not recognise Palestine as a country.

References

  1. ↑ "UK Government recognition of the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel" (PDF). House of Commons Library. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "British Consulate-General Jerusalem". gov.uk . Government Digital Service. 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "About Us". Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom. n.d. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ↑ Hashem, Mohamed; Andrews, Frank (17 June 2021). "Husam Zomlot: Palestinian ambassador to UK disappointed with Labour response to Gaza bombing". Middle East Eye.
  5. ↑ Country Profile: The Occupied Palestinian Territories Archived 24 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ "House of Commons – Parliamentary Debates" (PDF). Parliament of the United Kingdom. 13 October 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "MIDDLE EAST (Hansard, 17 July 1967)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) . 17 July 1967.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ "UK official condemns Israel settlements". Middle East Monitor . 15 February 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  10. ↑ "Palestinian court rules Balfour Declaration invalid, urges UK apology". Jewish News . 23 February 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  11. ↑ Holmes, Oliver (15 April 2021). "Palestine condemns Boris Johnson for opposing ICC Israel investigation". The Guardian . Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  12. ↑ "Palestine accuses UK of giving 'carte blanche to Israel' in opposing ICC probe". Middle East Eye . 15 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "Large protests held in solidarity with Palestinians around the world". Arab News. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "EU - Israel". World Trade Organization . Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  15. ↑ "UK and Palestinian Authority sign trade continuity agreement". GOV.UK. 18 February 2019. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2024. UK–Palatine Authority FTA
  16. ↑ "UK and Palestinian Authority Sign Trade Continuity Agreement". Qatar News Agency . 6 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "UK trade agreements in effect". GOV.UK. 3 November 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "MPs back Palestinian statehood alongside Israel". BBC News . 14 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Calls to recognise Palestine". The Scottish Government. 12 October 2014. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ "UK considering recognising Palestine state, Lord Cameron says". BBC News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  22. ↑ "David Cameron pushes for 'irreversible progress' towards two-state solution". Financial Times. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  23. ↑ "Labour could unilaterally recognise Palestinian state, says David Lammy". Financial Times. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
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