I fundamentally disagree with the assertion that this is a victory for terrorists. By recognising the Palestinian Authority (PA), as the government has done, we have recognised an alternative government for Gaza to Hamas terrorists. If you look at the history, it was the PA who governed Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem prior to the emergence of Hamas and their explicitly Islamist rule over Gaza.

The PA contrasts with Hamas in their willingness to co-exist with the state of Israel. I do not consider the potential for representation of Palestinian populations under a non Hamas-led governing body as benefitting terrorists. On the contrary, I see this as a vital step towards stopping Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel, and securing peace for innocent civilians in Gaza.

We need to start returning our focus to trying to build peace between the two peoples, and this means we need parties in power on both sides who want peace. I believe that the UK recognition of Palestinian statehood is a step towards this.