Steps to a two state solution: For Israel, for Palestine, for peace Step Twenty Five: Support Palestinian economic independence As previous international initiatives have recognised, efforts to strengthen and grow the Palestinian economy are closely tied to both the peace process and the future viability, prosperity and stability of a Read more…
Labour’s shadow Middle East Minister Bambos Charalambous MP has today written to Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East Amanda Milling calling on the government to provide “meaningful support to peacebuilding projects that can bring together Israelis and Palestinians”. The letter specifically calls on the UK to use Read more…
Seven Labour parliamentarians have today signed a cross-party letter to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urging the UK government to give “urgent, meaningful support to peacebuilding projects that can bring together Israelis and Palestinians, most especially the youngest citizens.” The letter continues: “There has been a failure by the international community Read more…
Israel, Egypt and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding last week in Cairo that will see the Jewish state export its natural gas to the EU for the first time. The landmark agreement will increase the sale of liquified natural gas to EU countries, which are working to Read more…
Israel’s former minister for regional cooperation has suggested that Saudi Arabia will normalise diplomatic ties with Israel “in the next few months”. Speaking in London, Ofir Akunis reportedly said that the world should also expect other countries in addition to the Saudis to sign peace treaties with Israel soon. Akunis, Read more…
The Knesset committee for foreign workers, headed by Labor MK Ibtisam Mara’ana, has this week considered the need for work visas for LGBT Palestinians facing persecution in the West Bank and Gaza. The hearing took place after the High Court ruled that Israel’s welfare-based permits also included the possibility of Read more…
Steps to a two state solution: For Israel, for Palestine, for peace Step Twenty Four: Support the reunification of the West Bank and Gaza under PA authority The reunification of the West Bank and Gaza is a crucial step in the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. It is also Read more…
Tel Aviv Pride celebrated its 23rd birthday on Saturday as 170,000 Israelis took to the streets of the city in a joyous celebration which saw the number of participants close to pre-pandemic levels. The parade took place amid several steps forward over the past year for the LGBTQ community in Israel Read more…
Steps to a two state solution: For Israel, for Palestine, for peace Step Twenty Three: Support a reformed UNRWA The plight of Palestinian refugees is both tragic and a recurring obstacle in the search for a two-state solution. Established in 1949, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Read more…
Israel last week signed its first free trade agreement with an Arab state. The deal with the United Arab Emirates – with which Israel established diplomatic relations under the Abraham Accords in 2020 – plans to eliminate or cut almost all tariffs and could boost bilateral trade to more than $10bn Read more…
Steps to a two state solution: For Israel, for Palestine, for peace Step Twenty Two: Expand Palestinian autonomous zones and issue building permits for Area C The Oslo Accords established three zones – Areas A, B and C – in the West Bank. In Area A, the Palestinian Authority exercises Read more…
Israel is working with the United States and Gulf nations like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in a process to ultimately normalise ties with Saudi Arabia, foreign minister Yair Lapid said on Monday. “We believe that it is possible to have a normalisation process with Saudi Arabia. It’s in our Read more…