I am encouraged by these agreements normalising relations between Israel and a number of Arab countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and most recently Morocco. The UK Government believes these agreements are a welcome step towards a more peaceful and prosperous region.

However, there is no substitute for direct talks and a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. I am pleased that these recent agreements include Israel suspending its plans to unilaterally annex parts of the West Bank, which the UK has consistently opposed, and I hope these agreements will pave the way to a resumption of direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel.

The UK’s longstanding position is that there should be a negotiated agreement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders. The UK Government consistently calls for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, and I will continue to monitor the situation. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority must abide by its commitment to the UK to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language, and avoid actions that could incite violence.