The UK Government supported the UN’s Resolution on illegal settlements on 23rd December. The Government remains committed to a two-state solution in the region, and believes these illegal settlements are a considerable obstacle to peace.
I would like to assure you that the UK Government does not support the singling out of Israel, nor the politicisation of UN institutions by the Palestinians. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK engaged with the text as it does with all Security Council texts. However, Government Ministers consistently urge the Israeli authorities to cease all settlement building and to remove illegal outposts, and the Israeli authorities are well aware of the UK's long standing position on illegal settlements. It is my understanding that the Resolution was proposed and drafted by the Egyptian delegation.
Of course, to focus only on one issue is not the best way to negotiate peace, and the issue of settlements are far from the only problem in this conflict. It is right therefore that the resolution also makes clear that the Palestinian Authority must maintain effective operations aimed to confront those engaged in terror and the dismantling of terrorist capabilities. Everyone deserves to live free from the threat of terrorism.
These problems highlight the need for a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. I believe a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to end conflict once and for all.