25 December 2002
Throughout this year we have all watched in shock and horror as the continuing violence in the Middle East has wreaked havoc on the lives of so many, Palestinians and Israelis alike. With over 2,500 lives lost on both sides since the start of the intifada, and many more injured, there can be few families left untouched by this tragedy. And every new act of violence and terrorist outrage only pushes the prospects for peace further away, and adds to the grief and suffering of those who live in the midst of this turmoil.
That is why I believe that it is of paramount importance that we all work for a resumption of negotiations between both parties. The Quartet - which brings together the EU, US, UN and Russia - is making real efforts to achieve this and its meeting yesterday (20 December) takes us a further step forward. The Quartet’s roadmap is a practical way of setting out the steps to the creation of a Palestinian state, alongside Israel, by 2005. But at the same time I recognise that, in the short term, progress on the Israeli side will be limited by the general election campaign in Israel.
Against that background, I believe that the international community should use the intervening period to boost the chances of the roadmap being implemented successfully once a new Israeli government is in place. This means continuing to do what we can to secure an end to violence, and to reverse the deteriorating humanitarian situation. It also means ensuring that Palestinian reform is effective. Palestinians want this. Not because we tell them that reform is good for them. But because they want to live in a normal democratic society and, soon, a state which can fulfil its responsibilities to its citizens as well as its neighbours. Reform is about nation-building.
That is why I have decided to invite leading Palestinians to come to Britain in January for a meeting. I have asked President Arafat to nominate Palestinian Authority representatives, and I am also inviting senior figures from within Palestinian civil society. In addition I have invited members of the Quartet and Egyptian, Saudi and Jordanian representatives. This will be an opportunity to discuss progress on modernisation. And it will be a chance to identify ways in which the international community can help the Palestinians prepare for statehood.
Of course strengthening Palestinian democracy and rebuilding civil and security structures is only one element of a comprehensive Middle East settlement. But it is nonetheless an important element, because it is a prerequisite for success. I believe that the international community can help the Palestinians make progress in this area, while work on other elements of the roadmap continues elsewhere. Israel has its part to play too, in committing to the realisation, through the roadmap, of President Bush’s vision of two states living side by side in peace.
We have always said we will contribute where we can. I sincerely hope that this meeting in January can play a part in moving the process forward. For those of you in the Middle East a lasting settlement may seem very remote. But I believe that we can get there, through dialogue, not violence and destruction. It is incumbent upon us all, in the West and in the Islamic world, to press both sides to end the suffering and work to create a secure future for their peoples, in line with Security Council Resolution 1397.
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