UK MPs demand 'clear timeline' for Palestinian State recognition in new committee report

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A new report by the UK House of Commons Committee on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory has raised serious concerns about Israel’s military actions in Gaza, urging the British government to make "clear timeline" for Palestinian State recognition.

The report, which includes evidence from multiple sessions and visits to the region, includes a series of recommendations for the UK government, which now has two months to respond.

The report draws from evidence taken both publicly and privately over several months, including oral testimonies from humanitarian organizations in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

While the Committee acknowledged the complexities of the ongoing conflict, it highlighted mounting allegations of grave breaches of international law by the Israeli government and senior Israeli officials, particularly during the recent military campaign in Gaza.

In its findings, the Committee noted that while it does not claim to be a legal authority, there is a “plausible risk” that Israel’s actions could constitute violations of international humanitarian law, with some experts even suggesting the potential for accusations of genocide.

This comes amid ongoing investigations by international bodies, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which have raised concerns over the actions of high-ranking Israeli officials such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The Committee condemned the violence and urged the full return of Israeli hostages, calling it a critical step towards restoring faith in the ceasefire process.

At the same time, it highlighted the severe humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians, with many casualties reported and significant destruction of infrastructure in Gaza.

A key recommendation of the report is for the UK government to set a clear timeline for the recognition of a Palestinian state, alongside ensuring the safety and security of Israel.

The Committee emphasized that this recognition, coupled with a robust commitment to international law, is essential for achieving a sustainable peace in the region.

The report also calls on the UK government to push Israel to abide by its international humanitarian obligations, particularly in relation to the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

The Committee categorically stated that the destruction of property and settler violence leading to Palestinian displacement should be treated as “forcible transfer,” which is illegal under international law, rather than merely displacement.

Another significant aspect of the report is its strong stance on the role of the UN agency for Palestinians UNRWA.

The Committee has urged the UK government to ensure that UNRWA is allowed to carry out its work unimpeded, particularly in light of new laws passed by the Israeli Knesset that could prevent the agency from operating in Palestinian territories.

UNRWA provides essential humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees and has been a critical part of the international community’s efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.

The UK government has been given two months to respond to the Committee’s recommendations, with the expectation that it will clarify its position on these issues and outline any steps it intends to take in addressing the complex and ongoing situation in Israel and Palestine.

- Cease-fire

Qatar announced a cease-fire agreement Wednesday to end more than 15 months of deadly Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the three-phase deal would take effect Sunday.

The deal includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Nearly 46,800 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed and more than 110,000 injured in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to local health authorities.

The war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.