[Peace-discuss] From a LibDem MP: UK Parliament votes to recognise Palestine

Tue Oct 14 13:46:44 EDT 2014

---------- Forwarded message ----------
 *From:* David Ward MP <david at davidward.org.uk>
*Sent:* Tuesday, October 14, 2014 4:33 AM
*Subject:* UK Parliament votes to recognise Palestine

 Late last night, I joined MPs from all sides of the House of Commons to
vote for the UK Government to immediately recognise Palestine as a
sovereign state. I'm very pleased to say that MPs chose...
  <http://davidward.org.uk/>
David Ward MP

http://davidward.org.uk/

[image: David Ward MP and other MP's before the vote to recognise Palestine]

Late last night, I joined MPs from all sides of the House of Commons to
vote for the UK Government to immediately recognise Palestine as a
sovereign state.

I'm very pleased to say that MPs chose to recognise the state of Palestine
by 274 votes for recognition to only 12 votes against recognition. I'm
particularly pleased to say that *almost all Lib Dems* that aren't
Ministers *voted for Palestinian recognition*.

*I voted to recognise the State of Palestine.*

I did this because it is the intrinsic right of the Palestinian people to
be recognised as a legitimate state outside of the ongoing peace process
with Israel. Some have said that a Palestinian State can only happen as
part of a negotiated peace ending in a two state solution with Israel.

To this, I say that the UK unilaterally recognised Israel in 1950 outside
of any negotiations with the Palestinian people and that it is absurd to
have the recognition of a sovereign people conditional on negotiations
where one state will always have power over the other. *A successful two
state solution needs two states to be in existence.*

[image: David Ward and recognition of Palestine]

I want this crucial support from the House of Commons to give hope to the
Palestinian people, to provide a message that there are people in the world
that care about them and that violence is not the way to find a lasting
peace. For many Palestinians, the utter despair of their situation has
forced them into the arms of men of violence like Hamas as a way to fight
against oppression. We need to show these people that violence will only
embolden Israeli aggression and the only way to find peace is through
successful peaceful negotiations.

*Statehood for the Palestinian people will provide hope and demonstrate
that there can be success in following a peaceful course of action.*

Many people from all backgrounds and from all faiths are supporting us and
whilst yesterday's vote is non-binding, it will put enormous pressure on
the UK Government to follow our example and recognise the State of
Palestine.

The tide is turning, the world has woken up and seen Israel's recent
atrocities in Gaza, it has categorically shown the world the horrors that
many Palestinians live in and that finding a lasting and non-violent two
state solution is an absolute priority.

In two weeks' time, I hope to go on a fact finding mission to Gaza and I
will be very proud to tell Palestinians I meet that the British Parliament
supports them and the State of Palestine. I will be publishing a diary of
my Gaza visit, who I meet and what I see and you will be able to follow
this by visiting my website at www.davidward.org.uk
<http://davidward.org.uk/click/mgGH?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.davidward.org.uk%2F>

Also if you have not already signed it, *please sign and share my petition
on Twitter or Facebook* calling for the UK Government to stand up for the
Palestinian people
http://davidward.org.uk/en/petition/we-demand-the-british-government-stands-up-for-the-palestinians-now
<http://davidward.org.uk/en/petition/we-demand-the-british-government-stands-up-for-the-palestinians-now?t=mgGH>

Many thanks again for joining me and showing your continued support to the
Palestinian people.

With the best of wishes

[image: DW signiture]

*David Ward*

*Member of Parliament for Bradford East*

[image: Palestine Petition Button]

[image: Donate Button]

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