Menu
28/10/2004
Israel's Gaza pull out a 'real opportunity for progress'
The Israeli disengagement from Gaza will provide a "real opportunity for progress", according to the Foreign Secretary.
Last night's Knesset vote, carried by 67-45, saw a clear majority in favour of the Israeli leader's initiative to withdraw troops and settlers from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank.
Speaking in Madrid today, Jack Straw said: "We must ensure that when the welcome disengagement from Gaza takes place there is not a vacuum but that there is support for the Palestinian Authority to run governance in that territory.
"We're discussing with Israel, the Palestinians and the international community practical ways in which the UK can help ensure that Israeli disengagement is successful for both sides."
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also paid his tribute to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on what the UN leader described as "the historic vote in the Knesset".
"The Secretary-General said he remained supportive of a full and complete Israeli withdrawal, leading to the end of the occupation of the Gaza Strip," a spokesman for Mr Annan said in a statement.
He "very much hopes that the Israeli withdrawal will have the effect of reviving peace efforts, which must be based on the Road Map," the statement added.
The statement also said withdrawal "could be an important step towards a process that will eventually result in the end of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, paving the way for the establishment of a sovereign, democratic, viable and contiguous Palestinian state living side by side in peace with a secure Israel."
(gmcg/sp)
Last night's Knesset vote, carried by 67-45, saw a clear majority in favour of the Israeli leader's initiative to withdraw troops and settlers from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank.
Speaking in Madrid today, Jack Straw said: "We must ensure that when the welcome disengagement from Gaza takes place there is not a vacuum but that there is support for the Palestinian Authority to run governance in that territory.
"We're discussing with Israel, the Palestinians and the international community practical ways in which the UK can help ensure that Israeli disengagement is successful for both sides."
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also paid his tribute to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on what the UN leader described as "the historic vote in the Knesset".
"The Secretary-General said he remained supportive of a full and complete Israeli withdrawal, leading to the end of the occupation of the Gaza Strip," a spokesman for Mr Annan said in a statement.
He "very much hopes that the Israeli withdrawal will have the effect of reviving peace efforts, which must be based on the Road Map," the statement added.
The statement also said withdrawal "could be an important step towards a process that will eventually result in the end of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, paving the way for the establishment of a sovereign, democratic, viable and contiguous Palestinian state living side by side in peace with a secure Israel."
(gmcg/sp)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 August 2005
Gaza settlers clash with troops over Israeli pullout
Jewish settlers have been engaged in violent clashes with Israeli troops, as the pullout from the Gaza Strip continues. According to reports, more than 50 people have been arrested in the largest settlement, as Jewish settlers from 21 settlements leave Gaza ahead of the deadline off 22:00 BST on Tuesday night.
Gaza settlers clash with troops over Israeli pullout
Jewish settlers have been engaged in violent clashes with Israeli troops, as the pullout from the Gaza Strip continues. According to reports, more than 50 people have been arrested in the largest settlement, as Jewish settlers from 21 settlements leave Gaza ahead of the deadline off 22:00 BST on Tuesday night.
30 June 2006
Palestinian officials 'detained' by Israel
Four Palestinian cabinet ministers, and dozens of officials of Hamas, have been detained in a move to "destabilise" the Hamas government according to Palestinian sources. However, in what are said to be separate moves by the Israeli government against militia targets in Palestine, two militants are reported to have been killed.
Palestinian officials 'detained' by Israel
Four Palestinian cabinet ministers, and dozens of officials of Hamas, have been detained in a move to "destabilise" the Hamas government according to Palestinian sources. However, in what are said to be separate moves by the Israeli government against militia targets in Palestine, two militants are reported to have been killed.
18 May 2004
Israeli military steps up operations in Gaza Strip
At least 13 Palestinians have been killed during an anti-terror operation by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) which saw military incursions into the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza Strip last night. According to reports emerging from the area, Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved into the camp in an attempt to remove "terrorist infrastructure".
Israeli military steps up operations in Gaza Strip
At least 13 Palestinians have been killed during an anti-terror operation by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) which saw military incursions into the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza Strip last night. According to reports emerging from the area, Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved into the camp in an attempt to remove "terrorist infrastructure".
11 November 2004
Arafat passes away in French hospital
The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has died at a French military hospital in the early hours of this morning. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader is understood to have died from a brain haemorrhage after slipping into a coma on November 3.
Arafat passes away in French hospital
The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has died at a French military hospital in the early hours of this morning. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader is understood to have died from a brain haemorrhage after slipping into a coma on November 3.
07 August 2006
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with clear skies this evening. Patchy cloud will increase at times overnight, but some clear spells too. Light winds and some patchy shallow mist or fog towards dawn. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
