David Miliband

Urgency in the Middle East

Britain's history in the Middle East produces a mix of anger and admiration.  We are blamed for the past - but also called to play a part in shaping the future.  Its an odd mixture.  I said on Yoosk yesterday that Britain should take its share of the responsibility for how things have turned out. 

Saudi Arabia and Jordan are the heart of Arab frustration and fear about the failure to achieve a Palestinian state able to live alongside Israel. Jordan has diplomatic relations with Israel; Saudi Arabia promises them on the achievement of a Palestinian state.  The sense of time ticking away from forces of coexistence and cooperation, and the growing fear of rejectionism and violence - some of it prompted from tehran, dominates political and media discussion, and dominated my talks, whether with kings or students.  

Every year people say this year is vital. This year is no exception.  A new American administration, fears of housing demolition and settlement construction in and around East Jerusalem, the dangers of recurrence of violence in Gaza, and Palestinian elections in January 2010, all make this more true than ever. I said in Jordan that a resolution to the conflict(s) was in the British national interest - because of our ties to Israel and the Palestinians, because of our interest in uniting Israelis and Arabs who both have reason to bury their differences in the face of shared fear of Iranian intentions, and because of the dangers of radicalisation that the conflict produces. We cannot satisfy our national interest by acting as a colonial power. We can by being part of a coalition for a reversal of trends towards divison and disintegration.

Posted at 16:54 10 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[5]