PA Diplomatic Representative to U.K. Manuel Hassassian: A Labour Government Will Recognize Palestinian State, followed by France, Germany

Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian diplomatic representative to the U.K., said in a December 25, 2015 interview with Palestinian Authority TV that former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband had given him his word that in the event that he was elected Prime Minister, Britain would recognize the State of Palestine. "Unfortunately," added Hassassian, "Cameron was re-elected." Hassassian also said that the way to influence Israelis is through their pockets and not through political dictates.

Following are excerpts:

Manuel Hassassian: There is public pressure in Europe to exert pressure on Israel. The only way to achieve this is not by making Israel face dictates, but rather, by boycotting it and so on, in order to cause damage to Israel. The Israelis do not care about the political boycott. They do not care whether you recognize Israel or not. They consider it a problem only when it comes to their pockets. In other words, if you harm their economy, you will start to see a response.

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David Cameron and the British government… It doesn't matter if it is a Labor or Tory government. They are two sides of the same coin. But I would like to focus on the following point: We have obtained the Labour Party's official recognition for the State of Palestine. I delivered a speech, followed by a speech by party leader Ed Miliband, who said – even though his party is in the opposition – that as a political party, they legally recognized the State of Palestine. It is necessary to mention this.

Interviewer: In other words, if he had taken office…

Manuel Hassassian: He gave me his word of honor, and pledged: "As a party we recognize you, and I will do the same as Prime Minister." Unfortunately, however, David Cameron was re-elected, and therefore, the Labour position was not implemented. The current leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, is a dear friend of mine. In the ten years that I have been in Britain, we went on demonstrations together and made speeches in Parliament. He talks about Palestine more than I do. That's the leader of Labour today, and he may become the next British PM. If this government emerges, the Palestinian state will be recognized de facto.

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The position of the Troika is always coordinated. It includes France, Britain, and Germany. So if Britain bilaterally recognizes the State of Palestine, believe me that France and Germany will recognize it within a week.

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