To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take steps at the United Nations in response to the rejection by the President of the Palestinian Authority of the description of Israel as a Jewish state; and if he will make a statement. (192471)

The UK has no plans to respond at the UN to the Palestinian President's recent comments on the description of Israel as a Jewish state. The UK is committed to a two-state solution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take steps at the United Nations in response to the recent comments by the President of the Palestinian Authority on the recognition by Hamas of the state of Israel; and if he will make a statement. (192472)

The UK has no plans to respond at the UN. Our policy towards Hamas has not changed. We do not have contact with Hamas. The key to making progress is to swiftly resume negotiations. The policy of the Quartet on talks with Hamas is based on its three principles: recognition of Israel, acceptance of previous agreements and renunciation of violence. These principles remain the fundamental conditions for a viable peace process. We hope that Hamas will accept the principles and grasp the opportunity for dialogue and progress. However, a political dialogue is impossible as long as one party is dedicated to violence and the destruction of the other.