Raab called on to act as ‘bridge’ in stalled Middle East negotiations

DOMINIC RAAB will be asked to act as a “bridge” between Israelis and Palestinians to mediate in the stalled Middle East peace process during a joint visit to Jerusalem and the Occupied Territories today.

Amid rising tensions in the Gaza Strip, the Foreign Secretary will meet Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, and call for renewed dialogue between their governments in favour of a peaceful two-state solution, the Foreign Office said.

Israel’s foreign ministry yesterday hailed the “unique timing” of the visit, a day after Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, met Mr Netanyahu to discuss the Trump administration’s “deal of the century” peace plan, which was roundly rejected by the Palestinians.

Mr Raab’s visit is “a good opportunity to ask the British to impress upon the Palestinians to come to the negotiating table with us… it’s good timing,” said Anna Azari, Israel’s deputy director general for European affairs.

It comes after the United Arab Emirates became only the third Arab country to normalise relations with Israel, amid a Us-led drive to counter Iran’s regional influence. “The UK remains committed to Israel’s security and stability, and the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE was an important moment for the region,” Mr Raab said in a statement.

As part of the agreement, Mr Netanyahu paused his planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.

“Israel’s suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East,” Mr Raab said. “It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two-state solution required to secure lasting peace.”

Speaking after his own meeting with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Pompeo said yesterday that he was confident other nations would soon follow the UAE in agreeing official diplomatic ties with Israel.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, meanwhile called on regional leaders to reject any ties with Israel and to “break their silence” on the blockade of Gaza, which has intensified in recent weeks with fire bomb and rocket attacks on Israeli territory.

The Israeli military said yesterday morning that fighter jets, tanks and aircraft had struck “military posts and an underground infrastructure” belonging to Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip in response to “arson balloons” launched into Israel the day before, and rocket attacks on Friday.

‘Israel’s suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East’