William Hague said that Britain had upgraded the status of Palestinian diplomats in the UK, in a largely symbolic move aimed at encouraging progress in peace talks with Israel. The foreign secretary told parliament that the current Palestinian delegation in London would become a diplomatic mission. The announcement, effective immediately, brings Britain into line with several other European countries, and coincides with a visit to London by the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas who is due to meet both Hague and the prime minister....The "road map", promoted by the Quartet of the US, the UN, the EU and Russia, is intended as a framework for achieving a settlement, but it has long been stalled over the construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.Does this mean Britain is recognising Palestine as an independent sovereign state on the pre-1967 borders? Of course not.
But the Foreign Office sought to distinguish the UK's move from the decision of several Latin American countries to offer the Palestinians full recognition as a independent state. British officials said that such recognition should be the outcome of a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. One diplomatic source also suggested that the British decision was aimed at reassuring the Palestinian leadership of western support, after the diplomatic damage inflicted by a US veto last month on a UN Security Council resolution condemning the construction of Israeli settlements.So what will the enhanced 'status' involve?
British officials said the only real change in the work of Palestinian diplomats will be that they will be given parking spaces by Westminster council, and find it easier to get British visas for their staff.I'm not sure if the response from the Israeli embassy was 'tongue in cheek' but here it is:
The Israeli embassy in London said: "We firmly believe that an upgrade in status will not encourage the Palestinians to return to the negotiation table. The real upgrade that's missing is in the Palestinian willingness to talk peace."You know for once, (at least in the first sentence) I think the Israeli's are right.
Source: Julian Borger in the Guardian
