Cameron outlines benefits of peace

DPA

Jerusalem

British Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday urged Israel and the Palestinians to the difficult steps needed to ensure that US-sponsored peace talks produce a framework agreement before an April 30 deadline.

Cameron urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to make “the compromises needed, including a halt to settlement activity and an end to Palestinian incitement.”

He told Israeli lawmakers in Jerusalem: “Britain fully supports the great work that American Secretary of State John Kerry has been leading.”

It is his first visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories since taking office.

Kerry wants Netanyahu and Abbas to endorse a document of principles touching on all the core issues of the conflict, and hopefully allow for an extension of the talks.

The Conservative leader called his belief in Israel “unbreakable” and his commitment to its security “rock solid,” and said he would not support any boycott calls against it, whether economic or academic.

He sketched before the lawmakers the benefits that peace would bring.

“I don’t want to tell you how to run you peace process,” he said. “What I want to say is this: Imagine what this land would be like if a peace was actually achieved.”

Israel would reap “extraordinary” economic benefits and “like any other democratic nation, finally be treated fairly and normally by all.” It would forge diplomatic, trade and business links with Arab neighbours.

“This is about justice for two peoples, dignity for the Jewish people and yes, dignity for the Palestinian people,” he said.

Cameron said he shared Israel’s “deep scepticism and great concern” about Iran’s nuclear programme.

Cameron will hold talks with Netanyahu at his Jerusalem residence. He meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank today.