Israel will lose friends if no peace made with Palestinians: Hague

Abu Dhabi - Former British foreign secretary calls for greater pressure from the US towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United States is the only nation that can influence and push Israeli leaders for an equal and justified two-state solution with the Palestinians, explains Britain's former foreign secretary William Hague.
During a press conference held at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research in the Capital, Hague highlighted that a peace resolution must be made, but it needs the cooperation of Israeli leaders.
"I often said to Israeli leaders: over time you are losing friends across the world, including in Britain and in Europe. One day there will only be the US Congress supporting you, and then where will you be with only one set of friends in the world?"
Recently, the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, called on the international community to take the appropriate steps, in order to stop violations made by the Israelis in Al Aqsa Mosque, which is the third holiest site in Islam. The President's comments, which came in a solidarity message addressed to Paul Badji, Chairman of the committee on the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, stressed for peace and security.
He noted the negotiated standards based on terms of reference on a two-state solution could end all Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories, and an opportunity to establish a viable Palestinian state, with Al Quds as its capital.
Shaikh Khalifa reiterated the UAE's coherent position in supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and the need for global recognition of an independent state.
The President stressed that the "provocative" Israeli practices are "null, void and illegal," and constitute a deliberate violation of the provisions of international law, international humanitarian law, Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and international legitimacy resolutions.
Hague also called for a dynamic movement and greater pressure from the US towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in order to live alongside one another, without fear and insecurity.
"Of course I can now speak very frankly, I do not speak for the British government, or any government. These are my own views," he said.
He pointed out that "keeping a moderate Palestinian leadership" is a topic that needs to be firmly addressed by US leaders.

US Secretary of State John Kerry tried to resolve the crisis with enormous energy, says Hague. - Photo courtesy: Corbis Images  
"I was one of the people who urged Secretary Kerry to make progress in the Middles East peace-process between Israelis and Palestinians one of his great priorities, and he took that advice," he said.
"He (Kerry) has tried with enormous energy and strength, and it is the greatest of all disappointments that no progress has been made, it seems that Israelis believe no solution is available," he added.
Despite the lack of progress, Hauge stressed that equality must be made, but this equality very much depends solely on the upcoming US elections. If a Republican candidate wins the presidency, then it may dim the light on the issue for peace and security for the Palestinian people.
"Equal and just solution for Palestinians is something the UK has argued for, for a long time, but without much leverage to bring it about."
"Only the US can deliver Israel into peace with Palestinians and the US has struggled to do so in recent years. It will have to continue to apply itself, even under the new administration, although the signs now are that the Republican administration could be less energetic on that," he added.
However, on the other hand, Hague noted that Israeli leaders are already firm with their point of view, and thus it is causing a greater lack of cooperation for a peaceful solution.
"The Israeli perspective is different, it is that no solution is available at the moment. We have not managed to change that perspective in recent years, so I think it all depends on what the new US administration will do," he said.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

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