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UK upgrades status of Palestinian mission in London

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British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced yesterday that the UK is to upgrade the status of the Palestinian representative office in London, ahead of scheduled talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Hague is due to meet with Abbas in London this week. Yesterday he informed lawmakers that the Palestinian representation would be recognised as a full diplomatic mission, rather that its previous status as a delegation. The change in status is largely symbolic and representatives will not have diplomatic immunity. However, members of the Palestinian mission will have a simplified visa regime.

The change does not come as a surprise, with the FCO confirming several weeks ago that it was considering the move. In the same statement the Foreign Secretary appeared to moderate his expectations for the peace process in the coming months, saying that Britain would ‘work with all the parties to press for a decisive breakthrough this year.’ This contrasts with recent statements in which he asserted that the goal was a full peace agreement and Palestinian membership of the UN by September, a goal that looks increasingly unattainable.

The announcement by Hague to upgrade the status of the mission follows similar moves in recent months by Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. It does not constitute the conferring of full diplomatic status on the Palestinian mission, which would imply the recognition of a Palestinian state. Yet it does convey the impatience felt by the British government with regard to the current stalemate in the peace process. According to an unnamed British official quoted in the Jerusalem Post, the move is intended to recognise the progress made by the PA in building the foundations of Palestinian sovereignty and building institutions, while stopping short of fully recognising a Palestinian state.

Further reading – BICOM Analysis: Time for a Peace Process Reality Check?