William Hague

EU backs further labelling of Israeli settlement products

Marcus Dysch — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:53:24 +0100

European Union foreign ministers – including British Foreign Secretary William Hague – have backed plans to implement further labelling of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Britain was one of 12 states to write to EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton pledging to assist the union in the “important work” of labelling.

The step follows the publication of labelling guidelines by the EU last year and ongoing discussions in member states over the issue.

Israel has repeatedly said that special labelling of West Bank goods would be discriminatory and a form of boycott.

In the letter to Baroness Ashton the foreign ministers of countries including France, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Austria wrote that the policy would be “an important step to ensure correct and coherent application of EU consumer protection and labelling legislation”.

Baroness Ashton is yet to respond to the letter, which was sent earlier this month and made public last week.

In 2009 the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued voluntary guidance to stores stating that labels on items imported to Britain from the West Bank should differentiate between “Israeli settlement produce” and “Palestinian produce”.

Last October 22 NGOs released a report recommending the EU stop importing Israeli settlement goods.

John Kerry's visit teaches Hague about patronising platitudes

Martin Bright — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:30:11 +0000

The new US Secretary of State, John Kerry, honoured the UK with a visit at the start of his first diplomatic tour in the post and dished out a lesson in how it feels to be a small nation patronised by a superpower. There was ample briefing in advance that the focus of his discussions with the UK government would be Syria and the stalled Middle East peace process.

But he still took the time to comment on the increasing tensions between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. He refused to be drawn on the issue of next month’s referendum of islanders about their preferred nationality and explained that although Britain was the de facto ruler of the territory, the question of sovereignty remained unresolved as far as the US was concerned. “We continue to urge a peaceful resolution of this critical issue”, he said. The British people can consider themselves told.

As Mr Kerry mouthed this hackneyed diplomatic formula, I hope our own Foreign Secretary pondered how many times he has allowed similar words to trip unthinkingly from his lips, how many times the Israeli and Palestinian people have had to listen to such platitudes? Now we know what it feels like.

We are told that 2013 is the crunch year for the Middle East (or at least the most important year since 2012). The change of government in Israel at least opens up the possibility of a new approach and it is clearly the intention of the new Secretary of State to refocus America’s foreign policy on old priorities.

For the UK this also provides an opportunity to develop a new approach. Mr Hague has expressed his deep frustration at dealing with Benjamin Netanyahu over the past few years and the bruises will take time to heal. But in its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict Britain was hamstrung by the disengagement of the first Obama administration. The appointment of John Kerry suggests this may be about to change. But this is not enough in itself.

The UK knows there needs to be a shift away from rhetoric towards action. William Hague has said he now believes the two-state solution is in the balance. But it is not just the Israel-Palestine conflict that feels it has come to some sort of crisis point. This year the international community will have to decide on an approach to the Islamist winter that has followed the Arab Spring. The forthcoming talks on Iran involving the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and Germany, will give an opportunity to judge the success of the present diplomatic approach to reining in Iran’s nuclear ambitions On this issue, 2013 really could be the crunch year.

As Mr Kerry’s words urging a peaceful resolution ring in our ears, we can only hope he finds a more sophisticated approach to the far knottiest problems he will encounter.

William Hague says Middle East in 2013 a ‘perfect storm’

Anna Sheinman — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:04:32 +0000

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that 2013 could see a ‘perfect storm’ in the Middle East and that President Barack Obama must lead the way on Israel.

This year “will be a crucial year in the Middle East,” Mr Hague said at a lecture in Sydney. “We could see a perfect storm of crises converging if the conflict in Syria continues, the Middle East peace process remains stalled, and if Iran will not enter into meaningful negotiations over its nuclear programme.”

He said that Mr Obama should take charge and that there was no time for delay, as a two - state solution would soon become impossible.

“We recognise the immense obstacles to the peace process, not least of all the role of Hamas in Gaza,” he said. “But still, we believe that it must be a priority for President Obama’s re-elected administration to launch a new effort to start the peace process, greater in intensity than anything seen since the Oslo Accords.”

He said he knew this was a “tall order” but that the consequences of failing to do so were “extremely grave”.

William Hague says Middle East in 2013 a ‘perfect storm’

Anna Sheinman — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:04:32 +0000

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that 2013 could see a ‘perfect storm’ in the Middle East and that President Barack Obama must lead the way on Israel.

He said that Mr Obama should take charge and that there was no time for delay, as a two - state solution would soon become impossible.

He said he knew this was a “tall order” but that the consequences of failing to do so were “extremely grave”.

Hague says EU trade sanctions against Israel not an option

Anna Sheinman — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:15:54 +0000

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that European trade sanctions against Israel are not an option, Reuters has reported.

"I don't think there is enthusiasm around the European Union ... about economic sanctions in Europe on Israel. I don't believe there would be anywhere near a consensus nor is that our approach,” Mr Hague said.

“Nevertheless, if there is no reversal of the decision that has been announced, we will want to consider what further steps European countries should take.”

However, Mr Hague told parliament hat he was in talks with leaders of other European countries as to how to create incentives to bring Israel and the Palestinians back into peace talks.

Reports that the UK had threatened to revisit EU trade agreements were floated on Monday, apparently in reaction to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that 3,000 new Jewish homes would be planned and zoned in an area east of Jerusalem, over the Green Line.

Israeli ambassador Daniel Taub was called in to the Foreign Office on Monday in order for the government to express its disapproval at this move, but the government has denied there are plans to recall the UK ambassador to Israel.

UK threatens to revisit EU trade agreements with Israel

Sandy Rashty — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 09:45:11 +0000

Government sources have told Sky News that Britain has threatened to "revisit" EU trade agreements with Israel in the wake of Israel’s warning that it may build 3,000 new settlement homes east of Jerusalem.

Israel’s warning comes following the UN vote last week to upgrade the Palestinian Authority from ‘entity’ to ‘non-member observer’ status.

After the vote, Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said: "Because this is a clear violation of signed agreements, you can't expect Israel not to respond in a proportionate way."

The British government has denied reports that its ambassador to Israel, Matthew Gould, will be recalled.

Israeli Ambassador Daniel Taub has been summoned to the Foreign Office for immediate talks.

The Israeli ambassadors in Sweden and France were also summoned to government offices to discuss the decision to build new settlements.

Hague: peace process would be more likely with assurances from PA

Anna Sheinman — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:50:49 +0000

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that the likelihood of a return to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations would have been greater if the Palestinian Authority had given the reassurances Britain asked for ahead of Thursday UN General assembly vote.

In a statement released following the vote, which saw the Palestinians upgraded to non-member observer status despite a British abstention, Mr Hague said: “We continue to believe that the prospects for a swift return to negotiations on a two state solution - the only way to create a Palestinian state on the ground - would be greater today if President Abbas had been able to give the assurances we suggested, and without which we were unable to vote in favour of the resolution.”

He explained what Britain had asked for: “We called on President Abbas to set out a willingness to return to negotiations without preconditions, and to signal that the Palestinians would not immediately seek action in the International Criminal Court.”

The focus of his statement was the future of the peace process. “We will redouble our efforts to restart the peace process, and will continue our strong support for President Abbas, the Palestinian Authority, and a two state solution,” he said.
The UK ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, also released a statement saying that the PA taking cases to the ICC “could undermine the chances of those peace negotiations being successful”.

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander was highly critical of the UK’s abstention in the vote. He said: "The British Government's decision to abstain is worse than a blunder. It is a historic misjudgment which will be interpreted as a sign not of influence but of irrelevance.”

The vote passed in the General Assembly on Thursday, with 138 states voting for the motion, nine voting against, and 41 abstentions.

Britain announces it will abstain on Palestinian UN bid

Anna Sheinman — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:45:15 +0000

William Hague has announced that Britain will abstain in tomorrow’s UN vote on an upgrade for the Palestinian Authority to non-member observer status - unless the Palestinians meet three key conditions.

The Foreign Secretary made the announcement after Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament today. He said that the three conditions of Britain voting for the PA were first, a return to the peace process, second that the PA does not use the upgrade to pursue Israel in the International Criminal Court, and third that the PA does not use this vote to ask for full membership from the Security Council.

Given that the PA’s bid has already been submitted, and omits a clause suggested by the Americans promising not to go to the ICC, an abstension from Britain is the most likely outcome.

William Hague called President Mahmoud Abbas a "courageous man of peace" in his speech, and also spoke of the dangerous impasse in the peace process.

The motion is expected to pass on Thursday with the majority necessary, regardless of how Britain votes.

Hague condemns Tel Aviv terror attack

Sandy Rashty — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:56:40 +0000

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that “terrorists must not be allowed to set the agenda” in comments after the attack on a bus in Tel Aviv this morning.

Mr Hague said: “The UK is deeply concerned at emerging reports of a bomb attack on a bus in Tel Aviv, which has seriously injured a number of people.

“Details of what happened are still unclear but if this was a terrorist attack we condemn it unreservedly. We are clear that terrorists must not be allowed to set the agenda.

“This shocking violence further underlines the urgent need for an immediate de-escalation of violence and a full ceasefire.”

Emergency services organisation Magen David Adom said that seven people were injured in the attack on Shaul Hamelech Street, with at least three sustaining "severe" injuries.

According to the BBC, Hamas has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Calls for ceasefire as Israel-Gaza fighting enters sixth day

Jennifer Lipman — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:01:33 +0000

An Israeli delegation is in Cairo this morning to discuss efforts to forge a ceasefire after six days of fighting between Israel and Gaza and amid international calls for the conflict to stop.

The meeting, about which the Israeli Foreign Ministry would not give details, comes amid news that the Israeli airstrike on a building in Gaza on Sunday, which left at least 11 people dead, including children, missed its target.

The strike on the two-storey house in Gaza City was intended to strike Yahiya Abiya, the head of Hamas's rocket programme. It is unclear whether he was killed, and the army said it was investigating why it missed its target. Ha'aretz reported the army stating that it was either that the site was incorrectly identified or that one of the munitions misfired.

Last night airstrikes on Gaza left another four people dead, said a Gaza health spokesman. It is thought the death toll now stands at 87, with at least 30 of those said to be terrorists involved in attacks on Israeli civilians.

Dozens of Israelis have been injured as terrorists continue to send rockets across the border, with one hitting the site of a school in Ashkelon. Although the Iron Dome defence system has been effective in intercepting missiles fired at towns and cities, including Tel Aviv, in total more than 1,000 rockets have been fired since Wednesday, with about a third stopped by the Iron Dome. The IDF reported that more than 100 of those fired by Hamas and other groups had actually crashed back into Gaza, injuring civilians in the Gaza Strip. The Israel authorised Operation Pillar of Defence following a sustained period of rocket fire at civilian populations in southern Israel.

The IDF has reported hitting at least 1,350 targets since fighting began on Wednesday.

In the US, politicians have urged Turkey and Egypt to assist efforts to mediate in the conflict and end the bloodshed on both sides.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told the media on Sunday evening that Egypt should be aware of the need for balance, or risk losing US aid. "Egypt, watch what you do. You're teetering with the Congress on having your aid cut off if you keep inciting violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians."

With Israeli troops said to be prepared to go in on the ground within the hour, President Obama backed Israel's right to defend itself but said it would be preferable for both sides if a ground offensive did not occur.

William Hague, the UK Foreign Secretary, echoed his comments, while backing Israel's position in taking on Hamas, who he said was principally responsible for the fighting. He said: "A ground invasion is much more difficult for the international community to sympathise with or support, including the United Kingdom."

A Hamas spokesman this weekend said that the Palestinian people were "united to confront the aggression" and considered it their "right… to resist the occupation".