Britain Reviewed The Transfer Of Its Embassy In Israel, The Palestinian Envoy: Jerusalem Nearly Becomes A War Zone

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Liz Truss' promise to "examine" the location of the British Embassy in Israel last month is a burning concern for Palestinians.

British Prime Minister Liz Truss is considering moving the British Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem's Holy City. PM Truss raised the possibility of moving the embassy during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States some time ago.

Palestinian Ambassador to Britain Husam Zomlot said moving the British embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would not only damage England-Central East relations, but also scrap a viable peace plan.

"Who will benefit from this? Will it make Israel safer? Look at Jerusalem now, it's almost a war zone," Zomlot told The National News, as reported October 14.

East Jerusalem is part of the West Bank territory that has been occupied by Israel since 1967, contrary to international law. The withdrawal of Israeli troops is an internationally recognized requirement of any peace process, including a two-state solution.

"If the British prime minister told us he wanted to move the embassy, then he told us the solution for the two countries was no longer sponsored by him," Zomlot said, speaking from the Palestinian Mission Office in London, England.

"Because if you move the embassy to any part of Jerusalem, it is a secret recognition of Israel's illegal annexation of East Jerusalem," he stressed.

"So I want him to talk and tell me what the alternative is. Because the question is 'if you destroy a two-state solution, then do you have a comprehensive and long-lasting long-term plan?' If so, what is that? How will you move away from work to end?" said Zomlot.

It is known that the occupied Jerusalem is currently hit by a wave of violence between Israeli and Palestinian forces, in a trapped refugee camp in East Jerusalem.

Echoing other people's concerns in Westminster, the diplomat said Britain's international impact, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, violated one of its own resolutions to be "truly catastrophic".

Earlier this month a senior Conservative told The National Arab leaders were "confused" by developments with Israeli and Gulf figures, who were concerned about the impact of the embassy transfer on the 'Kepakatan Agreement', an agreement signed in 2020 to promote greater understanding between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain.

It comes at a very sensitive time, as Britain and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are negotiating a multi-billion US dollar free trade agreement.

Given the importance of Jerusalem in Muslim countries - Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, is Zomlot said the signatories of the Agreement could not be happy to see their agreement " misused and exploited."

"I believe it is not the purpose of the agreement. A step is not beneficial to anyone and it only fosters division, it only creates further tension," he concluded.