This week, Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said in a UN Security Council debate that Hamas’s “decision to choose violence and reject the Quartet Principles… lies at the heart of the tragedy in Gaza”.
Ambassador Rycroft also condemned the “horrific terrorist attack that claimed the lives of three Israelis during a Shabbat dinner last Friday”, and the “tragic murder” of two Israeli police officers at the Temple Mount the week before.
Ambassador Rycroft referred to the “deteriorating humanitarian situation” in Gaza, suggesting that there is a “way out”, underlining: “Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements”.
The Ambassador urged countries in the region “with influence over Hamas” to “encourage them to take these steps”.
He emphasised: “Ultimately, it is Hamas’ decision to choose violence and reject the Quartet Principles that lies at the heart of the tragedy in Gaza”.
Ambassador Rycroft expressed his “deep concern” about the “spiral of tension and violence” that has “swept across the West Bank and Jerualem in recent days”, welcoming the “engagement betweeen all parties to find a solution”.
Read Ambassador Rycroft’s full speech here.
