Anthony Butcher

The Liberal Democrats today called for the creation of a UN-backed congress to help bring about an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The call for a congress, which would be made up of elected Israeli and Palestinian representatives, forms part of the policy motion on Israel and the Palestinian Territories debated at the party’s autumn conference.

Other measures proposed include:

· The release by both sides of all people held without trial or not in accordance with international obligations
· Israel halting the development of settlements and releasing tax revenues due to the Palestinian authority
· Transparent accounting and anti-corruption measures being adopted by the Palestinian Authority
· Mutual recognition between the Arab states and Israel

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Michael Moore MP said:

“It is clear that the Road Map to peace in the Middle East is discredited and needs to be replaced with a new initiative.

“All sides have a responsibility to do whatever they can to finally bring to an end a conflict that has blighted so many lives.

“However, there is also an obligation on the international community to provide a direction and leadership that has so often been sadly lacking.”


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