The brutal Hamas attack on October 7 has traumatized Israeli society. As friends, we recognize and share the profound weight of that trauma.
The hostages have endured unimaginable suffering, and their families have shown incredible strength and bravery throughout this horrific ordeal. We continue to call for Hamas to release them immediately and unconditionally.
We understand the enduring need for Israelis to know that such an attack can never happen again. Our Royal Air Force has helped defend against Iran’s missile attacks, and we stand with you against the scourge of terrorism.
In this spirit, I can say that we advocate for the two-state solution as part of our deep commitment to Israeli security, not because we are stepping away from it. A Palestinian state does not mean an existential threat on Israel’s border.
As Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on July 29 when he announced that the UK could recognize Palestinian statehood in September, our goal remains a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. This vision is born from clear strategic reasoning.
Firstly, relations between states are the most stable: That is why the peace deals with Jordan and Egypt have been so important for Israel’s security.
Secondly, the status quo is inherently unstable; a growing Palestinian population in a shrinking territory, experiencing an indefinite and humiliating occupation, is a recipe for cycles of violence.
And thirdly, the two-state solution needs to be negotiated between Israel and Palestine. During these negotiations, Israel will have the opportunity and the right to ensure that it has security guarantees in place. The UK and Israel’s allies will support Israel to achieve these security guarantees, including that any Palestinian state should be demilitarized.
Indeed, President Mahmoud Abbas recently affirmed that the Palestinian state has no intention of being militarized in his letter to President Emmanuel Macron. A negotiated two-state solution would provide more security for both Israelis and Palestinians than the status quo.
I come from a society shaped by conflict. In Northern Ireland, we endured decades of bloodshed and division. One lesson stands out: Without a positive political vision, violence always finds its way back. National grievances fester and erupt if not dealt with through negotiation. This is painful, but the status quo is far more dangerous.
Increasingly, Israel controls the lives of millions of Palestinians who have no political rights within the state that governs them. That situation not only contradicts Israel’s democratic values, but it undermines the long-term security of the state.
The fact that violence is encouraged by senior political figures not only undermines Israel’s standing in the world and disempowers moderate voices but shrinks the space for a peaceful negotiated settlement.
Starmer’s announcement is also about ending the war in Gaza. The horrific scenes of hunger and the appalling number of dead civilians has shocked and mobilized governments and publics across the world. They have demanded change.
Many Israelis are also calling for an immediate end to the war, because they know that a negotiation is critical to secure the safe release of the hostages.
The latest plan to expand operations to Gaza City will only lead to more bloodshed. Bloodshed leads to radicalization. We strongly urge the government of Israel not to pursue this path.
It is clear that Hamas’s ideology cannot be beaten by military means alone. Rather, Hamas will only be beaten by politics and diplomacy – making it irrelevant by empowering a credible alternative as part of a wider deal to end the war.
Talk of peace may feel out of touch to some. Trust has collapsed. The trauma of October 7 will shape generations. However, history teaches us that conflict does not end because conditions are perfect – it ends when leaders decide the cost of not resolving it is too high.
UK recognizing Palestinian statehood pushed Arab League to publicly reject Hamas, ambassador argues
Starmer’s announcement, along with our allies’, helped provide impetus for 22 members of the Arab League signing a landmark declaration that publicly rejected Hamas, called on it to lay down its weapons, release all hostages, and make way for the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza. This is historic.
Yet normalized relations within the region depend upon ending the war in Gaza for good and committing to a path to peace with the Palestinians.
Without that, it becomes impossible for regional leaders to maintain public support for continued engagement. That should matter to anyone concerned with Israel’s regional position and long-term legitimacy and security.
We admire your resilience, innovation, and the founding values of Israel’s declaration of independence. Still, real friendship includes honest conversation. The scenes in Gaza today are a stain on the history and reputation of Israel, and the war must end immediately.
A one-state reality is not a solution. It removes the possibility for future generations to live normal lives free of conflict. Now is the time for negotiations with the Palestinians, the vast majority of whom want peace too. The status quo is untenable. There is still time to choose a different path.
The writer is the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Israel.