King Charles said the government would play a constructive role in trying to secure peace between Israel and the Palestinians during the state opening of Parliament today.
In the King’s Speech, where the government sets out its legislative agenda for the coming year, His Majesty said: “My government will play its part in trying to secure long term peace and security in the Middle East. It is committed to a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.”
Labour’s general election manifesto pledged to recognise a Palestinian state “as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution”, rather doing so unilaterally.
Since taking office earlier this month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas.
On Sunday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy made his first official visit to the Middle East and met with Netanyahu and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa.
Both Lammy and Netanyahu emphasised the importance of the UK and Israel’s partnership and cooperation.
On Monday, Lammy met Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and said the UK would be pushing for an agreement that would see Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza released. He said: “We see a hostage deal emerge in the coming days, and I am using all diplomatic efforts. Indeed, last week with the G7 nations, and particularly with Secretary of State Blinken pressing for that hostage deal.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy visiting Yad Vashem. Credit: Yad Vashem
The Foreign Secretary, who is MP for Tottenham, also visited the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre Yad Vashem and signed the Yad Vashem Guest Book.
He said: “It's one of the great honours of my life to visit the Yad Vashem as the UK Foreign Secretary, particularly because in the UK Parliament I represent the historic area of Stamford Hill in North London, one of the historic homes of the Jewish community in London- escaping a series of problems in the 19th century and, of course the Holocaust. We honour all that were murdered and we remember the evils of genocide in that period of history."
