More Quotes
“It’s in our interest for the residents of Gaza to improve their economic situation and their lives, but it must be clear that the funds and equipment are not used for terrorism, therefore we are closely monitoring all of the developments.” (Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon speaking in New York, 20/10/2014)
“The violence, which spreads into terror, has to be stopped by police and security forces, with a strong hand against perpetrators, Jews and Arabs. Jerusalem cannot be lead by the interests of parties who raise and lower their flames at will.” (Israeli President Reuven Rivlin speaking at a ceremony in Jerusalem, 19/10/2014)
“Of course I look forward to the day when Britain will recognise the State of Palestine, but it should only be part of the negotiations that bring about a two state solution. That is what we all want to see; a state of Israel living happily and peacefully alongside a state of Palestine, and that is when we should do the recognition.” (Prime Minister David Cameron during Prime Minister’s Questions, 15/10/2014)
“I have condemned time and time again Hamas’s rocket attacks and their use of tunnels. It is not acceptable. Nobody should live in constant fear and under the threat of rockets and tunnels.” (UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon meeting residents of Kibbutz Nirim near Israel’s border with Gaza, 14/10/2014)
“The aspirations of the Palestinian people cannot be fully realised until there is an end to the occupation … and we believe this will only come through negotiations … The UK will bilaterally recognise a Palestinian state when we judge that it can best help bring about the peace.” (Middle East Minister Tobias Elwood MP speaking in Parliament, 13/10/2014)
“I understand why many of you will want to vote for anything which claims to be a contribution to peace. But immediate and unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood does nothing to advance this vital cause. In fact, precisely the opposite … Unfortunately, unilateral moves simply play into the hands of those on Israel hard right, which wants to suggest that we have no partner for peace, and that the Palestinians do not want to sit down and negotiate with us … To counter such arguments, and get the peace process moving again, we in the Israeli Labor party need your help, which is why I urge you to stick to your party’s long-standing policy of a negotiated two-state solution, and oppose any unilateral moves which threaten that goal.” (Labour Member of Knesset Hilik Bar in a letter to British Labour MPs, 11/10/2014)