From the Liveblog of
Sunday, December 17, 2023
UK and Germany call for ‘sustainable ceasefire’; don’t think it’s possible ‘right now’
UK foreign minister David Cameron and German counterpart Annalena Baerbock say the “need is urgent” for a “sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza, while also making clear that they are not demanding a ceasefire now.
The two ministers write in a joint UK Sunday Times article that “too many civilians have been killed” in the conflict, and note: “We must do all we can to pave the way to a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a sustainable peace. The sooner it comes, the better — the need is urgent,” they write.
“But let us be clear,” they continue. “We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward.
“It ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself: Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets to kill Israeli citizens every day. Hamas must lay down its arms,” they say.
Days after the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for an immediate ceasefire, in a resolution that did not mention Hamas, the two foreign ministers acknowledge that many others have demanded an immediate end to the fighting. “We know many in the region and beyond have been calling for an immediate ceasefire. We recognize what motivates these heartfelt calls,” they write.
“It is an understandable reaction to such intense suffering, and we share the view that this conflict cannot drag on and on. That is why we supported the recent humanitarian pauses.”
Britain and Germany abstained in the December 12 non-binding General Assembly vote, which passed 153-10.
‘All those who want to end the suffering need to work together on a solution that delivers long-term security for both peoples,” Cameron and Baerbock say, affirming their long-term backing for a two-state solution.
“The rise of extremism is a threat to all of us, not just to Israelis and Palestinians. A two-state solution requires both sides to feel safe living side by side.”
