Foreign Secretary Speech at the High-Level Ministerial Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, UN
UK Foreign Secretary urges urgent action to preserve the two-state solution amid growing obstacles, citing illegal settlements and Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
The Foreign Secretary opened by acknowledging his personal connection to Israel as the son of Jewish refugees, while condemning both Hamas’ October 7 attacks and the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. He emphasized that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to security and dignity for both peoples, despite its erosion by current realities on the ground.
He highlighted recent steps taken by the UK, alongside France and Canada, to address illegal settlements, including banning imports of settlement goods and disrupting financial and construction supply lines. These measures were framed as necessary but insufficient without broader international support and sustained pressure.
The speech underscored the importance of the Palestinian Authority as the sole legitimate framework for Palestinian governance and called for Hamas to disarm and renounce terrorism before any role in future governance of Gaza. Support for the U.S.-led 20-point plan was also reiterated as a critical component of progress.
The Foreign Secretary warned of the risk of repeating the same discussions in a year if no decisive action is taken, stressing the need for moral clarity and political pressure on the Israeli government to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including blocked medical supplies and preventable deaths.