Thank you for contacting me about the UN and Israel.
You are absolutely right that the British Government is proud of the role the UK played in the birth of the state of Israel. I am encouraged that, following an invitation from the Prime Minister, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will be visiting the UK on the centenary of the Balfour declaration.
I am aware that there have been a number of country-specific resolutions passed regarding Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The UK Government does not support the singling out of Israel, nor the politicisation of UN institutions by the Palestinians.
The UK has already warned the UN Human Rights Council over its approach to Israel: it is critical that the Council's credibility as the objective human rights body is not undermined.
I am pleased that the UK co-hosted a meeting on reform of the UN Human Rights Council during the recent UN General Assembly, where it was agreed that reform is urgently needed to ensure that the Council's status as a respected advocate for human rights is secured.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
