Ex-Tory minister claims ‘something is holding the PM back’ on Palestine recognition
Kit Malthouse MP calls Commons debate on Palestinian state recognition 'as a prerequisite for peace in the Middle East'
A former Tory minister has demanded to know what is “holding the Prime Minister back” from pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state claiming this is a “prerequisite for peace in the Middle East.”
Kit Malthouse, a former education secretary and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, spoke during Thursday’s business questions session noting what he said was Labour’s election manifesto “pledge to recognise Palestine.”
“The Prime Minister said the Palestinians have an undeniable right to recognition,” said the MP for orth West Hampshire,”but something is holding him back.
“So please could we have a debate in government time to examine the fact that all our Arab allies are saying that recognition is now a prerequisite for peace in the Middle East. And for the House to vote to support the Prime Minister in taking this very significant step.”
Responding for the government, Leader of the House Lucy Powell said:”We absolutely do support recognising Palestine as a state, and that is an indelible right of other Palestinian people.
“It’s absolutely critical that we do achieve a long term two state solution in the Middle East that recognizes both Israel’s right to exist and as a safe and secure country, but also the Palestinian people’s right to have a Palestinian state that is also safe, secure and free as well.
“And that is what we are working towards internationally and with our allies across the world.
“And it’s something that I know the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister spend a lot of their time dealing with.”
Powell added:” We do have Foreign Office questions coming up next week and I know that the foreign secretary is keen to come to this House as often as possible to update on what’s happening in the Middle East.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
