Minister welcomes announcement of Palestinian elections
Commenting on the recent announcement by the Palestine Liberation Organisation that it will hold national elections by September, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt today said:
“The UK welcomes the announcement by the Palestine Liberation Organisation that it will hold national elections by September for all Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. We, together with our EU partners, stand ready to support the electoral process.
I am disappointed that Hamas has rejected these already long delayed elections. This reinforces the perception that Hamas is an organisation which can only maintain its grip on ordinary Gazans through repression and isolation.
The UK continues to support the establishment of a sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside a safe and secure Israel. We believe that direct talks offer a genuine opportunity to achieve this.”