Middle East Peace Process

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs – in the House of Commons at 1:45 pm on 12 March 1997.

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Photo of Mr Jeremy Hanley Mr Jeremy Hanley , Richmond and Barnes 1:45, 12 March 1997

I think that I can take hon. Members on this side of the House with me in paying tribute to the work of the hon. Gentleman and others on the Palestinian cause and the cause of peace generally in that region.

I have talked about Har Homa in forthright terms, but we must make more progress on redeployment in the interim agreement. I believe that we should see more progress on the airport and the port in Gaza, safe passage between Gaza and the west bank, more extensive redeployment in the second and third phases than we have seen so far, and a lifting of barriers to the Palestinians generally. That would improve the economy, which would help Israeli security. As I have said before, I think that Har Homa is a serious problem that must be addressed. It is a danger to peace.