Recognition of the state of Palestine as part of the Middle East peace process is an "indisputable right", said the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Starmer spoke to Abbas about the "continued suffering and devastating human toll" in Gaza. The new British Prime Minister has also spoken with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, setting out the "clear and urgent" the need for a ceasefire and the return of the hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian Islamist movement "Hamas" in the attacks on October 7.
In Labour's election manifesto, the party committed to recognizing a Palestinian state as part of a process leading to a two-state solution alongside Israel.
"The prime minister briefed President Abbas on his immediate priorities, including securing a ceasefire, the return of hostages, increasing and expediting humanitarian aid and financial support" for the Palestinian Authority, a spokesman for Starmer said. In addition, he has stated that "his longstanding policy of recognizing contributions to the peace process has not changed and this is an indisputable right of the Palestinians.
During his conversation with Netanyahu, Starmer "reiterated his condolences for the tragic loss of life following the October attacks", and then stressed the "clear and urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of the hostages and an immediate increase of the volume of humanitarian aid reaching the civilian population". He further added that "it is also important to secure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution, including ensuring that the Palestinian Authority has the financial means to function effectively."< /p>
Earlier today, the Islamist group "Hamas" said he was awaiting Israel's response to his cease-fire proposal, Reuters reported.