Conservative reaction after Cameron calls on Palestinian state to end Gaza conflict

Foreign Secretary David Cameron has sparked a backlash from Conservative MPs after suggesting Britain could propose formal UK recognition of the Palestinian state.

The former prime minister said such a move could help make a two-state solution – currently stalled, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes – an “irreversible” process.

Lord Cameron – speaking ahead of his latest visit to the Middle East – outlined how the UK and its allies could increase pressure on Israel by considering recognizing a Palestinian state at the United Nations.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, described his comments as “significant” – but some senior Tories warned Rishi Sunak’s foreign secretary not to go too far or too quickly.

Former Conservative minister Theresa Villiers said bringing forward recognition of a Palestinian state would “reward Hamas atrocities” after the October 7 terrorist attack.

His Conservative colleague Sir Michael Ellis said the move could risk giving “dangerous actors” the “facilities and capabilities of a state”.

But leading Conservative MPs appear divided on the issue. Senior Conservative MP Bob Seely – a member of the foreign affairs select committee – said The independent that he welcomed Lord Cameron’s “constructive” idea.

“I think it’s an interesting idea,” Mr. Seely said. “I believe that recognizing the State of Palestine as soon as possible could give an important boost to the process. »

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, also welcomed Lord Cameron’s remarks, saying they marked “a fundamental shift in the UK’s position”.

She told LBC: “It’s a very welcome move from my point of view. But what I have to ask the government over the next few days is: Is this a posture to show Israel that unless it reforms its behavior…we have tools? Or is this a real commitment to a Palestinian state? This is where we should go.

Lord Cameron told a reception in London that it was necessary to give the Palestinian people “a political horizon” to end the war between Israel and Hamas, as he addressed a reception for Arab ambassadors to Parliament.

The foreign secretary suggested Britain and others could formally recognize a Palestinian state during peace negotiations – rather than waiting for a final peace deal with Israel.

“We should start defining what a Palestinian state would look like – what it would include, how it would function,” he said Monday evening.

“As that happens, we will examine, with our allies, the issue of recognition of Palestinian statehood, including at the United Nations. This could be one of the things that helps make this process irreversible,” Lord Cameron said.

Last week, the foreign minister pushed Mr. Netanyahu to reconsider negotiations aimed at a two-state solution. But Mr Netanyahu rebuffed pressure from Western allies, including the United States – saying the plan would “endanger the State of Israel”. The Israeli prime minister also criticized what he described as an “attempt to coerce us.”

On Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu ruled out an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza or the release of thousands of militants – two key Hamas demands in ongoing ceasefire talks. The Israeli leader once again promised that the war would not end without an “absolute victory” over Hamas.

Number 10 and Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell responded to Lord Cameron’s remarks on Tuesday by insisting there has been “no change” in British policy. Mr Sunak’s spokesman said recognition of Palestinian statehood would take place “when it best serves the cause of peace”.

However, Labor welcomed Lord Cameron’s suggestion. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy told MPs: “As Keir Starmer said, statehood is not a neighbor’s gift – it is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people . »

Mr Lammy added: “I am pleased that the Foreign Secretary is taking this position and rejecting the idea that recognition can only happen after negotiations have concluded. »

But Conservative MPs shared their concerns in the House of Commons. Ms Villiers said it was “really worrying” that Lord Cameron appeared to have “changed the approach of the British government”.

“Will the minister agree with me that proposing and accelerating unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state would amount to rewarding Hamas atrocities? she asked.

Mr. Mitchell responded: “There is no question of rewarding Hamas for the terrible acts it carried out during the October 7 pogrom. »

“But the point made by the foreign minister is that we must give the people of the West Bank and Gaza a credible path to a Palestinian state and a new future, but we must do it when the time is right. »

Sir Michael warned that “unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood now” risks “endowing these dangerous actors…with the equipment and capabilities of statehood”.

Conservative MP Greg Smith also appeared to question Lord Cameron’s remarks – saying “the grim reality is that Hamas is not seeking a ceasefire and cannot reasonably be expected to Israel is pursuing one with a group that actively seeks its destruction. »

And Stephen Crabb, another former minister, said Lord Cameron’s gesture was “noble”, but questioned what “talk of rapid recognition” of Palestinian statehood would actually achieve in the coming months.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UK called Lord Cameron’s words a “significant” moment – and even referred to “Cameron’s statement” in a statement on social media.

Mr Zomlot said: “This is the first time that a British Foreign Secretary has considered recognizing the State of Palestine, bilaterally and within the UN, as a contribution to a peaceful solution rather than as a result. »

Lord Cameron, who began his latest trip to the region with talks in Oman, said Britain would do “all it can” to prevent the conflict “spilling across borders”. The Foreign Minister met his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al-busaidi to discuss tensions in the region.

A weekend attack by Iranian-backed militias in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers and injured dozens has stoked new fears of a Western confrontation with Tehran.

Joe Biden said Tuesday he has decided how the United States will respond to the deadly drone strike. An Iranian-backed militia called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility.

But the American president did not specify who the retaliation would be aimed at. Asked if he blamed Iran, Mr. Biden replied: “I hold them (Iran) responsible in the sense that they are providing the weapons to those who did it,” he said. he replied. The US president added: “I don’t think we need a broader war in the Middle East. »