Labour in government would recognise Palestinian state ‘as things stand’

Labour would recognise a Palestinian state if the party is elected to power at the next election, shadow middle east minister Bambos Charalambous has confirmed.

Speaking at the Jewish Labour Movement’s annual conference, the Enfield North MP suggesting the move was necessary to spark talks around a two-state solution.

Charalambous said:”We would recognise a Palestinian state, as things stand.

“Obviously what that looks like would depend on where we are if and when there is a Labour government.

“Hopefully that would help kick-start any sort of talks around working towards a two-state solution. Because at the moment nothing is happening.”

The shadow minister noted that a Palestinian state had been recognised by “well over 100 countries” and added that this was also “still Labour policy” what has been in the manifesto in the past.

Responding to a question on the issue from the Deputy Jerry Lewis, Charalambous noted the lack of any serious peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians for the past eight years.

Lewis said there needed to be a “negotiated settlement” and called for Labour to review its policy of immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.

Charalambous said the issue was of concern to some in the community, both in the UK and in Israel.

The MP said he feared we were now in a situation where the Religious Zionists parties “don’t even recognise that Palestinians have rights anyway.”

He also said he had “serious concerns” about the new Israeli government, and noted the protests in Tel Aviv over the “undermining of the judiciary” and other offices.