Early day motion · EDM 404 · 22 Sep 2022

UK Embassy in Israel

Tabled by Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party) 37 signatures

The motion

That this House expresses its deep concern regarding the Government's review into moving the UK Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; notes that, on 21st September 2022, the Prime Minister told her Israeli counterpart about her review of the current location of the British embassy in Israel during a meeting in New York City; maintains that Jerusalem holds a unique position under international law; reminds the Government that, when the Israeli Government passed its 1980 basic law unilaterally naming Jerusalem the united capital of Israel, the UN Security Council declared this policy a violation of international law; reminds the UK Government of UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980), calling upon UN Member States that have established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem to withdraw such missions from the Holy City; reiterates that any country which recognises exclusive Israeli jurisdiction and political legitimacy over Jerusalem without a mutually agreed peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is in violation of Resolution 478 (1980); asserts that a comprehensive peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is a pre-requisite for any change in the international community’s position towards Jerusalem; reminds the Government that then-President Donald Trump’s decision in 2017 to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem sparked international condemnation; reasserts that if the UK is truly an arbiter for peace-building and reconciliation, it cannot consider moving the UK Embassy in Israel; and demands an urgent statement on the floor of the House on this issue.

Source: the official Early Day Motions database.