This is a critical time for the Middle East Peace Process. The British government remains fully committed to the search for lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We will continue to play a constructive and supportive role in pursuit of a peace, justice and security across the region.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are convinced that a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an important precondition for long-term peace in the region. There is now a clear international consensus on what a negotiated settlement might look like. The key elements will include an end to occupation, the exchange of ‘land for peace’ leading to a viable state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel, both secure and respected within recognised borders, as set out in UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 1397.

• The UK’s position
  Actions by both Israelis and Palestinians have contributed to the crisis that has characterised their relationship in recent years. We are friends of both the Israelis and the Palestinians, and we believe that this gives us the opportunity to talk openly and frankly to both sides to encourage them towards peace. We continue to help support the peace talks.
  
  The UK’s position on the Arab-Israeli conflict is clear. We believe that there is no viable alternative to a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders: a democratic and viable state of Palestine must live peacefully alongside an Israel secure from attack and recognised by its neighbours. Jerusalem must be the capital for both, with a just settlement for refugees.
  
  The Arab Peace Initiative is an excellent basis for progress towards these goals. We are working with our partners – including the EU and the new US Administration – to pursue the peace process with vigour.

The two-state solution

We are convinced that only comprehensive peace in the area can be lasting; peace with an independent Palestinian state at its core, underpinned by broader peace between Israel and the whole Arab world. In other words, a 23-state solution comprised of 22 members of the Arab League plus Israel.
The recent crisis in Gaza has demonstrated further the urgent need for lasting peace in the Middle East. We will continue to work with our European allies and the United States to push for a comprehensive solution.

For the two-state solution to be successful, both Israel and the Palestinian Authority need to uphold previous commitments. These include promises on illegal Israeli settlements and on access to and movement within the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Steps now need to be taken by both Israel and the Arab world to rebuild build trust and improve the situation on the ground for both Israelis and Palestinians.

• Settlements
  The Roadmap signed in 2003 sets out the steps the Palestinian Authority and Israel need to take to achieve a negotiated settlement. Both sides have signed up to the Roadmap, and both former Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas renewed their commitment to the Roadmap obligations at the Annapolis Conference in November 2007.
  
  Among other things, these obligations require that the government of Israel freezes all settlement-building in the OPTs and dismantle all settlement outposts.
  
  The government has been clear that settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank are illegal, and that continued settlement activity is contrary to Israel’s commitments under the Road Map. We continue to speak out about this issue. The Foreign Secretary has urged Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman to halt all settlement expansion, including so-called ‘natural growth’ and the Prime Minister conveyed the same message to Prime Minister Netanyahu during their meeting on 25 August. We are encouraged that President Barak Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have also clearly called for all settlement activity to stop.
  
  We are working to identify constructive ways to discourage illegal settlement activity, including ensuring that settlement activity is not inadvertently encouraged by UK and EU policies.

Working with International Partners

• The US
  President Obama’s speech in Cairo on 4 June clearly outlined the urgency of a peaceful solution. We welcome the emphasis placed on the need for all parties to cooperate and work towards a two-state solution.
  
  President Obama has been clear in his engagement on the MEPP. He met the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on 18 and 28 May respectively. They discussed a number of issues including the importance of working towards comprehensive peace in the region. President Obama also took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of a two-state solution and the need to stop all Israeli settlement activity.
  The Foreign Secretary has discussed a number of issues related to the Middle East Peace Process with Secretary Clinton and US Middle East Envoy George Mitchell. We look forward to working with the US and the Israeli governments towards a lasting peace in the region.
  
• The EU
  The Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) is a top priority for the EU in 2009. This was confirmed by the European Council Conclusions of 26 January 2009, which followed EU foreign ministers’ meetings with the Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian, Turkish and Norwegian foreign ministers.
  The EU has an important role to play in the MEPP: it is one of the largest financial contributors to the process, and we will continue to work with the Presidency and other EU partners to ensure the EU does all it can, both practically and politically, to support peace in the Middle East.
  
• The UN
  The UK works closely with the United Nations, both in the General Assembly and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. In this capacity we often play a leading role in the tabling and negotiation of Security Council Resolutions (SCRs), of which there are many relating to the Middle East Peace Process.
  
• Quartet
  The Quartet is a group, formed in 2002, comprising the UN, the EU, Russia and the United States, concerned with the negotiation of peace and stability in the Middle East. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is the Quartet’s Representative. We support the aims and objectives of the Quartet, which continues to play an important role in galvanising support for the MEPP.

See more on:
Israel
The Palestinians
Gaza
Frequently asked questions on the Middle East Peace Process
Working with others
Background information on the Middle East Peace Process