I am the first Member of Parliament of Palestinian heritage, and I am also a friend of Israel. When I became the Liberal Democrats’ Foreign Affairs spokesperson last year, I knew that it was a chance to adopt a radically new approach to the Israel/Palestine conflict - one which promotes the UK’s relationships with both Israel and Palestine, while being absolutely clear about the importance of international law and human rights.
The Liberal Democrats already have significant long-standing policy on the conflict. We are, and remain, supporters of a two-state solution; of the rights of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live in freedom and security; and we continue to call for the recognition of the state of Palestine.
Our new policy adds to all the above, taking into account the tumultuous geopolitical situation of the last four years. At its heart, it includes three new commitments.
First, we want to see increased trade and cooperation with both Israel and Palestine - especially in the fields of science, technology and medicine. Trade is a tool for peace. It spreads prosperity. Yet too often, what should be a defining and fundamental principle of how we approach foreign affairs is forgotten about. It is time to view trade through the lens of conflict resolution once again.
Second, we are calling for a peace fund to be established, which gives money to community projects in the region - modelled on a successful approach in Northern Ireland. The Alliance for Middle East Peace’s International Fund for Palestinian Peace is such an example. The focus is helping rebuild the trust between the communities that, on many occasions, existed before the British involvement in the region. The UK does not need to lecture Israelis and Palestinians on how to work together, but uplift the existing initiatives.
Third, we are calling for a significant change in UK Government policy in regard to the settlements. The continued expansion of settlements is undoubtedly an obstacle to peace, and a key factor in the deteriorating human rights situation in the region. It is opposed by a wide array of Israeli MKs, including ministers. And it is recognised, by the overwhelming majority of the international community including the United Kingdom, as a breach of international law.
The UK’s trade policy already distinguishes between settlement goods and the sovereign territory of Israel. That’s why settlement goods are not covered by the UK-Israel trade agreement. But beyond regular statements of condemnation, the UK Government and the international community have done little at a time when the two-state solution seems ever more elusive.
That’s why Liberal Democrats have adopted policy to ensure that international law is upheld, by calling for the introduction of legislation to cease UK trade with the illegal settlements. People can reasonably disagree on whether or not a ban on settlement goods is a productive path to peace. I appreciate that for some this may feel like a step too far. I only support a ban in the context of a set of policies which, if adopted, would see an injection of new resources into the region. That is why we are calling for more trade, more engagement and stronger relations with Israel at the same time.
It is important to be clear about what this is not. This is not BDS. Far from it - I have never heard a BDS supporter say they want to increase the UK’s trade and cooperation links with Israel. It is a legal ban of goods, not a boycott, just as the UK Government already prohibits goods from occupied Crimea from entering the UK. We, as a party, do not endorse BDS as a policy for Government. Israel is an ally and a partner. We want to see the UK’s ties with the country flourish. At the same time, we want to oppose the settlements, until a lasting peace is achieved.
It has become clear to me over the last four years that, if we are to keep the two-state solution alive, it will take a radical new approach. I am sure that people on both sides of the debate will be uncomfortable with aspects of what we are now setting out. But it is only uncomfortable because we are so used to the UK’s copy-and-paste diplomatic statements. If we are to truly become an engaged partner for peace, then a change in direction is desperately needed.
