“Would not a principled recognition of Palestinian statehood facilitate rather than hamper renewed negotiations?”
In the House of Lords on 1 Feb 2016 the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt. Rev. Graham James asked a follow up question of the government in response to Baroness Tonge who asked “Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to recognise Palestine as a state.” From Hansard:
The Lord Bishop of Norwich:
My Lords, does the Minister agree with the position taken in October 2014 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Church of England bishops that,
“it is the reasonable aspiration of all peoples to belong to a state and enjoy the merits of full and active citizenship”?
Although the security of Israel is an absolute requirement, would not a principled recognition of Palestinian statehood facilitate rather than hamper renewed negotiations?
Baroness Anelay of St Johns:
My Lords, I do not believe that it would. It would not of itself bring about what we need, which is an agreement for a two-state solution. It would be throwing away a key negotiating card.
