Raab to meet Netanyahu and Abbas during Israel and West Bank visits
British foreign secretary's trip this week seen as first real test of bilateral relations since Boris Johnson wrote in an Israeli newspaper that annexation would be illegal.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is in Israel this week in the first real test of bilateral relations since Boris Johnson penned an opinion piece in an Israeli newspaper saying annexation would be illegal.
Raab, who is also visiting the West Bank, was in town at the same time as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who last week issued a veiled threat to the UK, France and Germany to support the White House line on Iran sanctions.
Although the White House has been mute on the prospect of Israel unilaterally annexing land in the West Bank, the UK has been vocal in its opposition, saying this would constitute an illegal move and would torpedo peace hopes.
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which recently merged with the Department for International Development, said Raab would meet both Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Both Raab and Pompeo were expected to congratulate Netanyahu on the recent announcement that Israel and the United Arab Emirates would be normalising relations and deepening ties in a range of fields, in a major diplomatic landmark.
The UAE agreement includes a condition that Israel shelve its annexation plans, which Israel’s settler community has fiercely resisted.
The FCO said Raab would “stress the necessity of a negotiated two-state solution… and the need for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and wider cooperation on development, trade and coronavirus”.
Ahead of his visit, Raab said: “The UK remains committed to Israel’s security and stability, and the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE was an important moment for the region.
“Israel’s suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East. It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two-state solution required to secure lasting peace.”
While in Israel, Raab will also meet his counterpart, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, and Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who is due to take over from Netanyahu next year, if not before.
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.
