§ 15. Mr. Lennox-Boydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the Israeli withdrawal from Sinai.
§ Mr. PymWe warmly welcome the Egypt-Israel peace and the successful completion of the Israeli withdrawal from Sinai. It is a most important step forward on the path to a comprehensive peace and we particularly admire the determination that the Israelis have shown in carrying it out.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn recognising that this is a most important step forward, does my right hon Friend agree that the time is now right for the Government to persuade the Government of the United States to have a much clearer policy on the West Bank than in the past, consistent with the right to full autonomy for the inhabitants on the West Bank?
§ Mr. PymYes, I think that that would be helpful. I have not yet had any discussions on this with Mr. Haig or anyone in the United States Administration. I have not yet had time for a conversation with them on that subject, but I shall bear in mind my hon. Friend's comments.
§ Mr. Roy HughesDoes the Foreign Secretary appreciate that at the same time as Israel was withdrawing from the Sinai it was building new settlements on the West Bank? I saw for myself that the Palestinians there were very badly treated. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the only real, lasting hope of peace in the area lies in a mutual recognition by the two sides of the right of Israel to exist and for the Palestinians to be allowed to decide their own destiny?
§ Mr. PymI have a great deal of sympathy with what the hon. Gentleman says. We obviously deplore recent incidents of violence and bloodshed, because that can only make more difficult the creation of a climate of trust and confidence, which is an essential preliminary for a negotiated settlement. However, I have noted what the hon. Gentleman said.
§ Mr. Cyril D. TownsendHas my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to a report in Le Monde dated 28 April, which reported Mr. Begin as suggesting that the West Bank could not be annexed by Israel as it is already part of Israeli territory? Will my right hon. Friend make it clear to the House that that is not the view of Her Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. TownsendHas my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to a report in Le Monde dated 28 April, which reported Mr. Begin as saying that it was impossible for Israel to annex the West Bank as the West Bank already 145 belonged to Israel? Will my right hon. Friend make it perfectly clear that that does not represent the view of Her Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. PymI have not seen that report. It has not been brought to my attention this morning. However, I do know that the whole issue of the West Bank is obviously the central part of the dispute. I hope shortly to be able to devote a good deal more of my time to dealing with that issue. The Government's position is to do whatever we can with our European partners to help in this matter.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonDoes the Foreign Secretary agree that any improvement in our relations with Israel will be difficult while Israeli forces remain on the West Bank, in Syria and in the Lebanon?
§ Mr. PymI see nothing but difficulties in the whole of that area. What the hon. Gentleman says is true, but there are other features of the problem that are equally difficult to deal with. I think people all round the world are trying to find a way forward in this dispute. I agree with the hon. Gentleman about the difficulty.