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TUC backs Palestinian statehood bid

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TUC backs Palestinian statehood bid

The TUC is supporting the bid by the Palestinian National Authority to be recognised as a member state of the United Nations.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber wrote to Alastair Burt, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for the Middle East, on 28 July 2011, urging the UK Government to support this position at the UN vote in September. Mr Barber said:

'I understand that the UK is reserving its position on this question, instead hoping that talks between the parties will resume before the UN vote in September. Yet the parties seem as far apart as ever, especially with the continued expansion of settlements and the recent passage of the controversial anti-boycott law in the Israeli Knesset.

The TUC General Council agreed to support the recognition attempt precisely because it will strengthen the negotiating hand of the Palestinians, thereby constructively escalating the pressure on the Israelis to return to the negotiating table. Further, securing recognition of a state based on the 1967 border is a positive step towards a two-state solution and one that will put pressure on all factions on both sides to support. I do hope that the UK Government can support this position.

The TUC is firmly committed to a two-state solution. As TUC Congress policy states, 'only when a sovereign independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian State is created, living side by side with a secure Israel will there be a chance for peace and stability in the Middle East'.'

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