BICOM

Prime Minister David Cameron met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in London yesterday and said that peace talks underway in Amman provide an opportunity.  “We believe the peace talks that have begun in Jordan do provide an opportunity – an opportunity we hope that both sides will pursue. We think this is absolutely vital,” Cameron said.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Britain’s support for a two-state solution, saying that his government is “passionate” about its fulfillment and is pushing and promoting it at every available opportunity. Cameron added, however, that time was running out for its realisation due to “facts on the ground” in the West Bank, a euphemism for settlements, which is why it is important to “push forward now” with talks.

Speaking alongside Abbas, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg reiterated Cameron’s criticisms, condemning settlement building in the “strongest possible terms.” The Deputy PM called Israeli settlements in the West Bank “deliberate vandalism” that threatened a two-state solution. Clegg’s strong criticism sparked a response from Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor who said: “It would be much better to contribute to peace by encouraging the fragile revival of Israeli-Palestinian talks rather than engaging in gratuitous bashing.”

For his part, Abbas thanked both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and welcomed their remarks. He added that he was optimistic about negotiations currently underway in Amman, but restated longstanding PA policy that for negotiations to continue all settlement construction in the West Bank must cease.

As part of a weeklong European tour to consult with foreign leaders on the exploratory talks taking place in Amman, Abbas will be in Germany today to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and on Thursday will travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Dmitri Medvedev.