Israeli settlements in West Bank hinder Palestinian statehood: Cameron
3 Min Read
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron argues that the establishment of a Palestinian State is challenged by illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
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British Foreign Secretary David Cameron speaks during a joint news conference with Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on April 22, 2024. (AP)
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron addressed key issues on Tuesday concerning the Palestinian cause amid the Israeli war on Gaza, emphasizing the negative impact of "Israel's" settlements on the visibility of a Palestinian state.
During a House of Lords International Relations and Defense Committee session, Cameron said that the illegal settlements built by "Israel" in the West Bank were exacerbating the challenges in establishing a Palestinian state.
He argued that "It was getting harder because of the settlement-building by Israel in the West Bank, so technically creating the Palestinian state has got harder and we have to think about that," adding that the two-state solution could become an "impossibility" and "considered no longer viable by either side."
"...It's got harder, but it's not impossible...recognition is an important part of helping to give the Palestinians a perspective towards statehood, but it doesn't create a state just by everybody recognizing it. You've got to set out the things that actually create a state: a government, its ability to govern..."
'No Peace in ME without Palestinian state'
Cameron argued that the Middle East will never enjoy "long-term peace or security" without "a solution to the Palestinian question," adding, "So if you look at, for instance, what the Saudi have tried to do with this normalization deal with Israel, that's obviously a huge step for Saudi Arabia, a big step for Israel, but part of it would be the creation of a Palestinian state and the horizon towards that basis."
Regarding the situation in Gaza, where more than 34,000 Palestinians have been martyred since October 7, 2023, Cameron expressed profound concern and sorrow over the loss of life, saying, "Undoubtedly, the entirety of the situation in Gaza is deeply worrying, and the loss of life is profoundly regrettable."
After highlighting the outcome of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, he stated that the UK is awaiting the outcome of ongoing investigations before deciding on resuming funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
While Cameron recalls the tragic events in Gaza and the killing of thousands, it is worth restating that the minister announced earlier this month that the UK government would not cease arms sales to "Israel" by British companies, meaning that Palestinians will continue to be killed by UK-made weapons.
Additionally, it is worth emphasizing that while the UK continues to fund "Israel" with weapons, a BBC report revealed that British troops could be stationed in Gaza as "wet boots" under the guise of delivering aid through a new sea route.
The United Kingdom has been a key actor in the sea-borne aid delivery operation as Defense Secretary Grant Shapps affirmed that the country took on a leading role in "the delivery of support in coordination with the US and other international allies."
