Sir Nichoas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government means by a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine; and how it plans to help achieve that solution.

Alistair Burt, Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: ​The UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed, and realistic settlement for refugees. We will continue to press Israel and the Palestinians strongly on the need to re-enter direct negotiations and refrain from taking actions which make peace more difficult. The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s support for a two-state solution and urged renewed progress on the Middle East Peace Process when he met Prime Minister Netanyahu in London on 2 November.

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