JERUSALEM, November 7, 2013 (WAFA) – The newly appointed British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, Hugh Robertson, Wednesday called at the conclusion of a visit to occupied Palestinian territories for avoiding what he described as provocative actions in holy places.

A statement by the foreign office said that Robertson expressed strong support for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and “a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the capital of two states.”

He reiterated Britain’s strong support for ongoing peace negotiations, expressed concern at the deteriorating situation on the ground and underlined the importance of building strong, effective and accountable institutions for the future Palestinian state, according to the press release.

Robertson, who has visited Jerusalem’s Old City including al-Haram al-Sharif, the site of al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, said that discussing the situation of Jerusalem’s holy sites with President Mahmoud Abbas, “We agreed that, given the particular sensitivities, provocative actions in these holy sites pose a risk to the peace process and must be avoided.”

Palestinians have warned that continued Israeli efforts to change the status quo in al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest Muslim site, by dividing it between Muslims and Jews and the ongoing provocative tours by Jewish fanatics of the mosque yards could leave a dangerous impact on life in the city.

The British official also expressed strong opposition to Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories.

“I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation on the ground which I have seen for myself during this visit,” said Robertson. “I made clear to President Abbas that Britain views settlements as illegal. Britain has consistently condemned settlement announcements. The most recent announcement of 1889 illegal settlement units is deeply concerning.”

He said that the British Foreign Secretary William Hague has made clear that there is no more urgent priority in 2013 than the Middle East peace process.

“This is my first visit to the region in my new capacity. It has made absolutely clear to me the vital urgency of progress,” he said.

The British official visited al-Walajeh, a village located northwest of Bethlehem, and saw firsthand the impact of Israel’s segregation barrier, settlement expansion and house demolitions on the daily lives of the local community.

He also visited the Salesian Cremisan School, a primary school located in the Cremisan Valley, where he heard about the impact of the barrier on the movement and access of the school’s pupils.

In addition to meeting Abbas during his visit, Robertson also met with Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Foreign Minister Riyad Malki and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.

M.S.