Britain on Monday said Israel’s suspension of plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank is an “essential step” towards a more peaceful Middle East.
“It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two-state solution required to secure lasting peace,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.
Raab’s remarks came ahead of a visit “this week” to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Raab will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a statement by Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
“Dominic Raab will emphasise the UK’s strong and enduring commitment to Israel’s security and stress the necessity of a negotiated two-state solution to realise justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians,” it said, without specifying the date of the visit.
“He will also stress the need for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and wider cooperation on development, trade and coronavirus,” it added.
Raab will “press for renewed dialogue between their governments and reinforce UK commitment to preventing annexation and pursuing a negotiated two-state solution.”
The FCO also said: “The visit comes following the announcement that the UAE and Israel would normalise relations; a move the UK welcomed as a much-needed boost for peace in the region.
“The UK has consistently encouraged a solution that allows justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
