Labour’s Emily Thornberry has said the recent terror attacks in the UK have left the country understanding the “horrific” nature of stabbing and vehicle ramming attacks by Palestinian terrorists in Israel.
Ms Thornberry, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, made the observation as MPs debated the prospects for Israeli and Palestinian peace talks.
In a carefully delivered address in the Commons, in which she described herself as a “friend” of both Israel and Palestine, Ms Thornberry spoke of “the horrific phenomenon of Palestinians attacking random Israeli citizens and security staff or ramming them with vehicles leaving dozens dead or injured and creating a dread that we in this country well understand now, particularly after the attack in London Bridge”.
Discussing Labour’s election manifesto commitment to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, Ms Thornberry said the forthcoming Balfour Centenary offered an opportunity to “throw our support for Palestinian statehood just as 100 years ago we did over Israeli statehood”.
Ms Thornberry, who also criticised what she described as the “acts of indiscriminate terror” by Israel in evicting Palestinians from their homes in “the occupied territories” had been responding to Alistair Burt, Middle East Minister during today’s debate.
Calling for an end to the “vicious cycle of violence that can never lead us towards peace”, Ms Thornberry questioned the absence of Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, from the debate.
She also referred to the apparent absence of Middle East policy in the Conservative Party manifesto – and suggested this had been down to fears over where US President Donald Trump stood on this issue.
“The latest manifesto says absolutely nothing,” said Ms Thornberry. “I don’t know what the Foreign Secretary’s explanation is, and we are not going to find out today.”
Attacking Mr Trump over his lack of clarity on the Middle East, she added: “We don’t know what US policy is. The Israelis don’t know, the Palestinians don’t know – and I have to say the Minister of State, he really doesn’t know what Donald Trump’s policy is.
“Depressingly I’m pretty sure Donald Trump hasn’t got the foggiest idea either.”
Responding to an intervention from Theresa Villiers, the Chipping Barnet Conservative MP – who had highlighted Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s reference to his “friends” in Hamas and Hezbollah - Ms Thornberry said: “I think it is important to debate this matter seriously.”
Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden said many of his Jewish constituents were “troubled” by Mr Corbyn’s apparent support of “Jew-hating” terror groups.
Ms Thornberry said: “The leader of my party wishes, in order to engage in peace, to bring people together.”
Earlier Mr Burt had outlined the government’s continued support for a two-state solution – and called on Hamas to reject terrorism in favour of peace.
He also criticised Israeli settlement policy as an obstacle to peace.
Crispin Blunt, the Tory MP for Reigate, called for Israel to rediscover its “moral authority”.
