Israel-Hamas War: Diplomacy Debate
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Jonathan Edwards
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Israel-Hamas War: Diplomacy
Jonathan Edwards Excerpts(5 months ago)
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Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) (Ind)
United Nations Secretary-Generals initiate article 99 very rarely; I understand this is only the seventh time that this has happened, and it is only initiated when the Secretary-General believes an event threatens the maintenance of international peace and security. As the UK abstained on the resolution and 13 members supported it, with the US against, the UK are in an isolated position; does this mean the UK Government disagree fundamentally with the position of the UN Secretary-General?
Mr Mitchell
The UN Secretary-General and the British Government work extremely closely together; it is an extraordinarily important and close relationship for both parties. But I have set out very clearly why it has not been possible for Britain to support a ceasefire, and above all it is because of the impracticality of calling for it.