Letter: Cook was right

Bill Spiers
Wednesday 25 March 1998 01:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE coverage of the Foreign Secretary's visit to Jerusalem has been a depressing demonstration of the extent to which the basic issues at the heart of the Israel/Palestinian conflict remain obscured by Israel's success in setting the terms of debate. Can we remind ourselves of just a few facts?

First, the acceptance by the Palestinians of a two-state solution to the conflict is itself a massive compromise on their part - Israel is built on what was Palestinian territory, with millions of refugees from that territory, and their dependants, now scattered around the world and Benjamin Netanyahu's government adamant that they will not be allowed to return.

Second, the United Nations, in line with international law, considers the land acquired by force in 1967 to be occupied territory, and the Israeli settlements built there illegal.

Third, the Oslo Accords signed by the government of Israel expressly prohibit further settlement-building, pending a final agreement by the parties to the conflict.

In the light of this, and much more, Robin Cook's actions on behalf of the European Union in visiting a settlement site and shaking the hand of an elected Palestinian representative is surely a welcome (if small) gesture of fairness towards a peoplewho are continuing to pay very dearly for what Europeans, not Palestinians, did to the Jewish people during the 20th century. If a genuine and lasting resolution of the conflict is to be achieved, which is in the interests of the Israeli people as much as anyone, then actions such as Mr Cook's - and a good deal more - are essential.

BILL SPIERS

Deputy General Secretary

Scottish Trades Union Congress

Glasgow

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in