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Last Tuesday two Members of the European Parliament (MEP), Caroline Lucas and myself, became the first British parliamentarians to meet with Ismail Hanieh of Hamas since his election as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.

He made clear his government's commitment to comply with the requirements of the Quartet, in particular through recognition of Israel.  He insisted that he would engage with the Quartet "without reservation. But he also warned that the Palestinian Authority risked complete collapse if it was not given support, and the consequences of that would be grim.

The following text of a letter to Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett provides further information.

Chris Davies MEP

07787 504516

4 May 2007

Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP

Secretary of State

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street

London

SW1A 2AH

GAZA AND THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT

Last Monday, 30 April, together with other members of the European Parliament's official delegation to Palestine, I met with Ismail Hanieh, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority's national unity government, at his offices in Gaza.

As EU member states have not yet agreed to deal personally with Mr Hanieh because of his association with Hamas I undertook to convey his comments to you.

The delegation's principal objective was to seek clarification of the unity government's programme insofar as it relates to the Quartet's three essential criteria, viz. recognition of Israel, respect for past agreements, and renunciation of violence.

Mr Hanieh insisted that his government accepted the 1967 border as the limit of Palestinian territory but questioned whether Israel would recognise a Palestinian state.  "Why does the Quartet expect us to give all the responses without requiring Israel to do the same?" he questioned.

The Prime Minister said that his government would respect all agreements signed by the PLO.

He said his government would promote the ceasefire and was working hard to widen it.  But he pointed out that under international law people have the right to resist occupation, and said that preventing Palestinian acts of violence was extremely difficult given the emotions aroused when Israel carried out extrajudicial murders of Palestinian 'militants', frequently causing the deaths of bystanders.  Within the past week more than half a dozen Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces.  

Mr Hanieh said that he wanted the Quartet to know that he was prepared to discuss details of his government's programme and engage "without reservation or precondition."

The Prime Minister insisted that he represented the national unity government and did not speak on behalf of Hamas.  During our exchange, he explicitly distanced himself from remarks made by Hamas spokesmen.

The delegation also met in Ramallah with the government's deputy prime minister and ministers for foreign affairs, finance, justice, planning, education, local government and information.  You will be aware that some of these were Hamas nominees while others are affiliated to Fatah or are independents.

Without exception the message from all was clear: the national unity government is committed to a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders between Israel and the Palestinian territories to be achieved by peaceful means. Absolute support is given for the agreements signed by the PLO.

The delegation left wholly convinced that the national unity government wishes to comply with the requirements of the Quartet both in letter and in spirit.

It has been reported that the Quartet wishes to test the commitment of the new government to the key principles before it will deal with it directly and restore direct funding to the Palestinian Authority.  I must caution you against any delay.

The situation in Palestine, and in Gaza in particular, is appalling in human terms and politically very unstable.  This was my third visit in just over a year and conditions even as seen from a speeding armoured vehicle have palpably deteriorated.  Gaza City is literally falling apart; it is like something out of a horror movie.

The threat of violence stems not only from the rivalries within and between the political groupings but also from criminal clans with private armies. Now it seems that Islamic terrorist groups are insidiously gaining influence.  Given the despair that must affect the majority of the population they may not have difficulty in attracting recruits.  The new government has had a calming influence but this may become impossible to maintain if it is not seen to be making progress in addressing needs.

Mr Hanieh expressed concern that the continuing deprivation of revenues and economic blockade of the Palestinian territories risked the complete undermining of the Palestinian Authority.  In what must be regarded as an understatement, Mr Hanieh warned that if the unity government collapses "the results will be of concern to the Quartet."

I do urge you to use all influence at your disposal to persuade the Quartet to deal with all members of the national unity government and to restore direct payments to the Palestinian Authority.

While attention has been focused on making the Palestinians comply with the wishes of the Quartet it must never be forgotten that their desperate condition is a direct consequence of the occupation of their land.  Israel is withholding payment to the Palestinian Authority of the VAT and customs revenues collected on its behalf, continues to permit expansion of Jewish settlements and the building of the Security Wall on Palestinian land, maintains a blockade that makes economic activity almost impossible, and holds more than 10,000 political prisoners including some 40 elected representatives without charge or trial.

In practical terms, what is Her Majesty's Government doing about this?

Yours sincerely

Chris Davies MEP

c.c.  Chairman and UK members of the European Parliament

delegation

-   Kyriacos Triantaphyllides MEP

-   John Bowis MEP

-   Caroline Lucas MEP