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The Palestinians

We strongly support the creation, through negotiations, of a Palestinian State. Negotiations leading to a two state solution are the best way of meeting the national aspirations of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians and lead to a sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside a safe and secure Israel and their other neighbours in the region.

There is an urgent need for progress to secure a two state solution, based on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the future capital of two states and with a fair settlement for refugees. This is important for Palestinians, for Israelis, and for the international community, including the UK.
 
The UK has continued to be strong supporters of the work of the Palestinian Authority in building the institutions of a viable Palestinian state. We have committed up to £243 million over three years to help the Palestinian people and build the institutions of a future Palestinian state.

Minister for the Middle East Mr Burt announced a further £17 million in UK funding during his visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) in mid-January. Among other things this will pay for over 3700 children to go to primary school; over 700 children to go to secondary school; 340 primary and secondary school teachers in post; and 15,000 people to receive continued access to clean water through the public network.

Human Rights in the OPTs

We are very concerned by allegations of human rights abuses by Palestinian Security Forces. We absolutely condemn any abuse of human rights. Through our work with the Palestinians, we are providing leadership training that will help them become a professional organisation that respects human rights and is accountable to the Palestinian people.

We believe that building the capacity of the PA Security Forces is extremely important in helping lay the ground work for a future Palestinian state and a lasting solution to the conflict in the region. It is specifically laid out as a Roadmap obligation and our work is entirely in line with this.

Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt raised the issue of human rights abuses when he met Prime Minister Fayyad on 19 January. He asked for a concrete assurance that allegations would be investigated and appropriate actions taken.

Prime Minister Fayyad gave this assurance, noting that the PA was addressing this issue not just as a result of international pressure, but because he had a deep personal conviction that human rights should be respected and at the heart of a future Palestinian state.

Condemnation of militant attacks

We strongly condemn the continuing rocket fire by militants in Gaza who target and endanger thousands of Israeli citizens with the goal of provoking and further stalling the peace process.

Hamas

Our policy on Hamas is clear: the Quartet have set out clearly that Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. Hamas must make concrete and immediate movement towards these conditions, which remain the benchmark against which its intentions should be judged.

The UK, along with our international partners, has always made clear its desire to work with those who are committed to peaceful progress in the region.

Unfortunately, due to the actions that Hamas has taken, we are not prepared to engage with them. Hamas remains committed to terrorism in order to achieve its aims.

Gilad Shalit

The UK calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Staff Sergeant Gilad Shalit, abducted by Hamas on 25 June 2006. It is also vital that Hamas allows the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Gilad immediately and ensure that he is in good health.

His continued captivity without any ICRC access and with only very occasional, minimal contact with his family is unacceptable. Read the Foreign Secretary's 25 June 2010 statement on Gilad Shalit.
 
The Foreign Secretary also expressed his sympathy when he met Gilad’s parents, Noam and Aviva on 4 November 2009 at their ‘protest tent’ in Jerusalem during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.