Board and JLC to Middle East Minister: ‘deep objections’ to Palestinian recognition now
Representatives from the two communal organisations met Hamish Falconer this morning - also expressed frustration at the Government's inability to address practical implications
Key Jewish communal organisations have expressed their frustration with the Government’s “insufficient clarity” over the practical implications of its decision to recognise a Palestinian state, using a meeting with Government representatives today to convey “deep objections” across the community over recognising a Palestinian state at this juncture.
In a joint statement from the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council, the organisations confirmed they had meet Hamish Falconer, Middle East Minister, this morning.
“The UK government indicated at the end of July its intention to recognise a Palestinian state before the UN General Assembly meeting that begins next week, if Israel – and only Israel – failed to meet certain conditions”, the organisations said. The two groups confirmed that “the communal representatives reiterated our dismay that the government’s position has failed to maximise pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and may have created incentives on the group to avoid a ceasefire, and an end to this dreadful war.”
While the organisations confirmed that they “share the government’s objectives for the long-term peace of the region and the need to ensure vital humanitarian aid reaches those in urgent need”, they made it clear that “UK policy in relation to recognition has not progressed these aims and created the wrong incentives.”
They said that they hold told Falconer “that the UK’s apparent intention to recognise a Palestinian state at this time and without any condition relating to the hostages was a source of deep disappointment to hostage families and many across the Jewish community”, and pointed out that this announcement was likely to take place on the eve of Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year.
Last month, the Foreign Office was unable to give clear answers when Jewish News inquired as to the severe diplomatic rupture which could be triggered by the borders of a Palestinian state that the UK proposes to recognise. Under a memorandum signed earlier this year with the Palestinian Authority, the UK said it would recognise a future Palestinian State along the 1949 Armistice Lines – also known as the Green Line. A Foreign Office spokesperson referred to that memorandum when asked about what borders the UK would recognise. Jewish News pointed out that this would mean the UK was acknowledging Palestinian sovereignty over Judaism’s holiest sites, including the temple mount, the Western Wall and the Old City of Jerusalem. The Foreign Office was unable to provide a proper answer to this query.
This frustration was echoed in the statement from the Board and JLC today, with the organisations saying: “We pressed the minister for details about the practical implications of any decision to recognise a Palestinian state. On key questions of concern that arise from potential recognition, we received insufficient clarity.”
In a barely veiled dig at the Mayor of London’s decision to state yesterday that a genocide was being committed in Gaza, the two organisations said they had also reminded Falconer “of the impact this conflict has had in emboldening antisemites here in the UK.
“We called on him to remind MPs and other senior politicians to be responsible in their language when, unfortunately, some are taking positions that exacerbate tensions exposed by this conflict within British society.”
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