Former Israeli diplomat is ‘pessimistic' about a Gaza ceasefire lasting
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Scotsman
22 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Government's sole focus is on ending horror and heartbreak in Gaza
Displaced Palestinians receive lentil soup at a food distribution point in Gaza City. Aid groups are warning of surging numbers of malnourished children in war-ravaged Gaza (Picture: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images) In recent days I've received considerable correspondence from constituents expressing horror and heartbreak at what is unfolding in Gaza. It's a horror and heartbreak we all share. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... What we are witnessing is harrowing beyond compare. This war must end and long before now. We desperately need aid to flow freely into Gaza, we need Hamas to unconditionally release the hostages, and we need to get a peace plan back on track, which recognises Palestine as part of a two state solution. You can't have a two state solution without two states! As the Prime Minister said this week, 'this is the moment for all to act'. On Tuesday, he announced an eight-point plan that includes the UK recognising a Palestinian state along with the French, in September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, lets aid flow and takes substantive steps towards reviving a pathway to a two-state solution. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Our commitment to recognising the state of Palestine is long held. It was included in our election manifesto, which said that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to Israel's security. And there are conditions on terrorist organisation, Hamas, too to release all hostages unconditionally, accept and abide by the ceasefire, commit to peace talks and have no part in the future governance of Palestine. Recognising the state of Palestine will affirm the self-determination of two peoples, Israeli and Palestinian, and will signify parity of esteem by the UK for both peoples. Importantly, it will sustain the prospect of two states with equal rights and mutual security, and long-term peace in the region. Israeli security and Palestinian statehood are not contradictory. In fact, the opposite is true: a sovereign Palestine is necessary for a safe and secure Israel. It's always been my view that recognition must come at a time when it will support the momentum of a peace process and be of maximum benefit. The judgement has never been whether to recognise or not, as we are firmly committed to the principle that statehood is an alienable right. Instead, the judgement is about when it has maximum benefit for peace. Considering the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, the time has come to lever recognition for a ceasefire, aid and peace. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I'm under no illusions. Recognition alone will not change the situation on the ground and may not move the dial in the way we want to see, but it could bring a ceasefire. That's why we're also taking additional immediate steps to alleviate the humanitarian disaster, including coordinating air drops of aid alongside Jordan and UAE, evacuating injured children out of Gaza and into British hospitals, and pushing for a massive influx of aid. The UN has a plan to deliver aid at the necessary speed and volume, with mitigations against diversion; Israel must reopen the safe land routes so that it can get in. Right now, France and Saudi Arabia are convening an international conference on a two-state solution. UK ministers are attending the conference, and the UK will play its part alongside our allies and partners. This government will keep pushing for an immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed, the reopening of the land routes so the UN can send humanitarian aid into Gaza at speed and volume, and the immediate release of the hostages. Only diplomacy and a peace process can bring an end to this appalling war and that is the government's sole focus. Ian Murray is Labour MP for Edinburgh South and Secretary of State for Scotland
The Herald Scotland
40 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Canada to recognize Palestinian state: Prime Minister Carney
He added that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs in the West Bank, "committed to not militarizing the state of Palestine." The Canadian leader's comments came during a conference in New York on reaching a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians in occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank. It also follows the 22-member Arab League calling on Hamas to disarm and hand power in Gaza to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. "Canada will always steadfastly support Israel's existence as an independent state in the Middle East, living in peace and security," Carney said, according to CNN. "Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state and one that recognizes Israel's inalienable right to security." Canada's announcement comes within a week of France also declaring its intention to recognize a Palestinian state. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said July 29 that his nation is also prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly unless Israel takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians such as allowing more aid into Gaza. The enclave is in the grip of starvation brought on by a near-complete Israeli blockade of food and medical supplies. More than 60,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza during Israel's retaliatory war on Hamas following the group's Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. Israel criticized Carney's announcement, saying it represented a reward to the terrorist group. Approximately 1,200 Israelis, most of whom were civilians, were killed in the 2023 attack, and Hamas took hundreds hostage. Some are still being held against their will today. "The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement early on Thursday. Contributing: Reuters, Dan Morrison, USA TODAY
The Herald Scotland
41 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Arab League backs call for Hamas to hand over its weapons
As part of an end to the Gaza war, they said Hamas "must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority." The declaration came at a two-day United Nations conference in New York. More: Two Israeli rights groups say Israel is committing genocide in Gaza The Arab call for Hamas to disarm came as Gaza is in the grip of starvation brought on by a near-complete Israeli blockade of food and medical supplies. More than 60,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza during Israel's retaliatory war on Hamas following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel. "Those children look very hungry," President Donald Trump said July 28, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion that there was no starvation in Gaza. "I want to make sure they get the food, every ounce of food." Hamas has consistently rejected calls to disarm or cede control of Gaza. The Arab League has 22 members including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, most of whom are aligned against Iran, Hamas' most important backer. Contributing: Reuters
