BRITAIN QUESTIONS THE PURPOSE, AND TIMING, OF PARIS SUMMIT:

Posted on Jan 17, 2017

Dozens of countries sent their senior-most diplomats to the conference on Middle East peace held in Paris on Sunday, but the United Kingdom did not, ostensibly as a trust-building gesture to the incoming Trump administration. Prime Minister Theresa May sent neither her foreign minister, Boris Johnson, nor her envoy to France to the parlay. "We have particular reservations about an international conference intended to advance peace between the parties that does not involve them– indeed, which is taking place against the wishes of the Israelis– and which is taking place just days before the transition to a new American President when the USA will be the ultimate guarantor of any agreement," a Foreign Office statement read. While most countries in attendance signed on to a communique urging the two parties to recommit to a two-state solution, and to cease "unilateral steps" that entrench the conflict, London demurred, ultimately choosing not to back the document. There are risks," the UK government warned, "that this conference hardens positions at a time when we need to be encouraging the conditions for peace." (Jerusalem Post)Intercede that many additional nations will recognize that the "conditions for peace,” is indeed the point in terms of advancing any positive talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Among the many points that need be dealt with are Palestinian terrorism against Israel and the leaders and society that support it; Palestinian glorification of terrorists who have died in attacks against the Jewish state, Palestinian school text books that plant hatred for Israel, in the hearts of children, refusal to recognize the Jewish state and a host of other issues. Presently, there is not a glimmer of evidence or political hope that Palestinians aspire or intend to live side-by-side with Israel in peace.