Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the President of the United States to support the resumption of direct talks between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The UK works closely with the US on matters relating to the Middle East Peace Process and we will continue to work closely with the US Administration, as we would normally do, on a variety of issues.

Only the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can determine the needs and aspirations of their people. However, we have encouraged them to resume cooperation and work towards further dialogue. Peace will only come through negotiations between the parties, but international action has a role in facilitating progress. Meanwhile, the parties should do all they can to reverse the negative trends - including systematic settlement expansion and demolitions in the West Bank, violence and incitement, and the dire situation in Gaza.