Jack Straw: International community should recognise Palestinian state

Jack Straw, former Labour foreign secretary, urges MPs to support Palestinian statehood in a letter sent last week:

"It is vital … that the UK and other European countries have the courage to point the way forward. I believe the way forward is for the international community to recognise a Palestinian state alongside Israel and admit it to the UN.

"I'm as firm as anyone about Israel's right to security, as a sovereign state. We all understand the fears that Israelis have for their security, but it will not enhance their security to deny the right of self-determination permanently to the Palestinians. The World Bank, the UN, the EU and the IMF have all assessed the progress of the Palestinian Authority and judged it to be ready for statehood."