Recognition of Palestine ‘protects viability of two states’ insists Falconer
Middle East minister speaks at Yachad fundraiser and reveals 'sadness' as he joined CST on security shift outside a London shul
Middle East minister Hamish Falconer has vigorously defended the UK government’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine last year, saying the move was designed “not to punish Israel or Israelis, but to protect the viability of two states.”
Speaking at an annual fundraising event for the Yachad advocacy group, the MP also revealed he had joined Community Security Trust (CST) guards to volunteer for a security shift outside a London synagogue.
He admitted:”I felt such deep sadness standing there in my stab-proof vest watching defiant families heading into shul.”
In an honest assessment of the stance taken by Keir Starmer’s government in relation to the Middle East, Falconer argued that the recognition of Palestine, alongside a staunch defence of Israel’s absolute right to exist with secure, safe borders, was the way to “protect the viability of both states.”
He added:”This government recognised the state of Palestine… not to punish Israel or Israelis, but to protect the viability of two states.
“To assert that Palestinian self-determination is a matter of right. If we are serious about that, we must be honest about what is making it harder.”
Falconer also claimed the UK continues to pressure Hamas ” to give up all of its weapons and engage seriously with negotiations” while at the same time pressing Israel “relentlessly for full humanitarian access into Gaza.”
He admitted being attacked from both sides for remarks over the sanctioning of Hamas and by the Israeli government over his call for a full probe into the killing of British aid workers in Gaza.
He was outspoken over the continued settlement expansion and violence in the West Bank, adding that the “direction of travel is perilous”.
The Labour MP for Lincoln, who praised the role played by Yachad in the “diverse” UK Jewish community, spoke of his sorrow at the spate of antisemitic attacks in this country.
“I hate to see synagogues with tall fences, Jewish schools with multiple layers of security, community events where the location isn’t revealed until the last minute,” he told the audience at Tuesday evening’s event in central London.
He said his stint outside a shul with CST guards drummed home the impact of antisemitism and was a “damning indictment on our society”.
Asked about the impact of pro-Palestine protests, Falconer said those who blame UK Jews and use “vile or hateful slogans” are guilty of “dangerous racism and morally bankrupt to suggest otherwise.”
Also at the event, Palestinian artist and activist Eid Hathaleen gave an eyewitness account of police and military violence in the South Hebron Hills.
Meanwhile, Israeli Breaking The Silence activist Avner Gvaryahu warned that Israel’s government was developing a “Kahanist mentality”.
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