LONDON, April 28, 2025 (WAFA) - High-level meetings took place in London on Monday between the Palestinian and British governments, where both sides addressed the ongoing Israeli aggression, the critical humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and Israeli actions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Both parties underscored the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the imperative that all sides fully comply with international humanitarian law.
Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy to discuss advancing bilateral relations toward a strategic partnership and reaffirming their mutual commitment to a two-state solution and an end to the occupation.
Prime Minister Mustafa conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas and expressed appreciation for the United Kingdom's continued support for Palestine.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a two-state solution, emphasizing that ending the Israeli occupation remains the only viable path to achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The United Kingdom reaffirmed its recognition of the Palestinian right to self-determination and expressed its intention to recognize the State of Palestine as an inalienable right.
Britian also condemned the expansion of Israeli colonies and the violence perpetrated by colonists, calling for an immediate and complete halt to all colonial activities.
Both parties emphasized the urgent need for Israel to release the withheld Palestinian clearance revenues and agreed to coordinate future efforts in Gaza, building on Palestinian, Egyptian, and wider Arab initiatives. These efforts would aim to establish unified Palestinian governance over all occupied territories, including the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian government reaffirmed its commitment to its national development agenda.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to establish a strategic cooperation framework and institutionalize high-level dialogue across sectors of mutual interest. The agreement reinforces support for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the framework of a two-state solution and affirms the Palestinian Authority as the sole legitimate governing body of the occupied Palestinian territories. It also emphasizes the importance of reunifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority's control.
The memorandum outlines the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to implementing its reform and development program, recognizing it as a national priority, and highlights the United Kingdom’s pledge to support humanitarian and development priorities in the occupied Palestinian territory through an annual development dialogue.
Furthermore, the agreement seeks to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, education, climate change, culture, and other fields of shared interest.
The United Kingdom also announced a £101 million aid package for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. The funds will be allocated to humanitarian assistance, economic development and enhancing governance, reform, and institutional development and capacity building in Palestine.
Joining Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the meetings were: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen, Minister of Health, Majed Abu Ramadan, and the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Husam Zomlot.
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