"It is almost certain that the UK, along with France, Canada, Belgium and Malta, will recognise the state of Palestine at a UN conference on 22 September to be held on the sidelines of the general assembly, in the week when world leaders deliver major speeches. Britain had suggested it might not recognise Palestine if Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire, but the Israeli government has adamantly rejected a ceasefire and announced an intention to capture Gaza City."
"However, Britain is eager for the two-state conference not to be dominated by a row about whether recognition is premature or a reward for Hamas, which is the charge mounted by the Israeli government. In a weekend visit to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, since appointed UK deputy prime minister, said he was focusing on the need to turn any ceasefire into a durable peace, through a monitoring mechanism, the disarmament of Hamas."
Plans for a UN-endorsed Gaza reconstruction propose a one-year technocratic government, an international stabilisation force, disarmament of Hamas and rejection of mass Palestinian deportation. Discussions with the US aim to prevent the UN General Assembly descending into a bitter row over symbolic recognition of Palestine. The UK, France, Canada, Belgium and Malta are almost certain to recognise Palestine at a UN conference on 22 September on the sidelines of the general assembly. Britain had suggested recognition might depend on an Israel-Hamas ceasefire, but Israel has rejected a ceasefire and announced an intention to capture Gaza City. UK deputy prime minister David Lammy emphasised turning any ceasefire into durable peace via monitoring, the disarmament of Hamas and a new governance framework for Gaza. Marco Rubio warned that Israeli annexation of the West Bank could follow European recognition, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to visit London ahead of the conference.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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