Israel: Palestinians
Question
Stephen Morgan
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Answer
We urge the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to engage in meaningful dialogue to further the cause of peace at every opportunity. We welcome the commitments made by Israel and the Palestinian Authority at Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh: both sides must take steps to honour these commitments. The Minister for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, has consistently offered UK support in progressing dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians, including in his meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Foreign Minister Riad Malki, during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 10-13 January, and during his regular engagement with the Israeli Ambassador, most recently on 21 April. British diplomats in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv also work tirelessly towards this aim.