The Middle East has been a major political interest of mine for some years, and I regularly raise issues to do with the situation there with Ministers, in debates, and in meetings.

I have been to the region a number of times. My most recent visit was just a week or two before Ariel Sharon's visit to Al Aqsa provoked the beginning of the current intifada. On that occasion I spent two weeks visiting refugee camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Anyone who has visited the West Bank and Gaza cannot fail to see how the settlements dominate the area, how they contrast with the living conditions in the camps, and the constant restrictions on the movement of Palestinians. Every one of the settlements is illegal in international law. In my view it is the settlements and the issue of the right of return of refugees which are at the root of the problem.

I cannot see any prospect of a long term solution until Israel agrees to withdraw from all the occupied territories, and agreement is reached on the question of the refugees. I believe that the proposals put forward by the Arab states in Beirut were a bold step, which if accepted could have lead to real progress. I have to say, however, that I despair of the possibility of progress as long as Sharon remains in power. The current building of the so called Security Wall, which is taking more land from Palestinians, and breaking up communities, is totally unjustified, and makes peace even less likely.

I do believe that without the active and sustained involvement of other countries a solution will not be found. I believe we need to be much more forceful in what we say to the Israeli Government, and I shall do all I can to press for our Government to do this.

If you are interested to see the account of the visit I made in 2000 a detailed report, entitled 'Right of Return' can be found via the Labour Middle East Council, whose website is at www.lmec.org.uk The site also contains links to relevant questions and debates in Parliament, including some in which I participated.

June 2003

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