BICOM

According to reports quoting un-named ‘diplomatic sources’ in the Daily Mail and the Guardian, David Cameron told Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu yesterday that Britain had not ruled anything out with regard to Palestinian attempts to seek recognition at the UN in September. The two were meeting in London as part of a short European visit by Netanyahu. According to the source quoted in the Guardian, Britain’s preference is for negotiations between the sides which lead to a two state solution. However, the source added that in the absence of negotiations, should Palestinian seek recognition at the UN, ‘Europe would be asked a very difficult question and we don’t know yet what the answer to that question will be.’

French President Nicholas Sarkozy also said in a recent interview that if the peace process has not yet resumed by September, then France will ‘assume its responsibilities on the central issue of recognizing a Palestinian state.’ However, the US is firmly opposed to Palestinian efforts to secure support at the UN, believing them to be detrimental to negotiations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also said she is opposed to Palestinian unilateral steps.

Israel is trying to convince European leaders not to support Palestinian efforts to secure recognition of its statehood at the UN. Israeli officials argue that this will help the Palestinian to avoid necessary compromises, and will be extremely damaging for hopes of a negotiated solution. Before the announcement of the unity government, Netanyahu repeatedly called for Abbas to enter peace talks without preconditions.

Prior to yesterday’s meeting Cameron reiterated Britain’s ‘unshakeable’ commitment to Israel’s security.