Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has defended the UK's contribution to the Gaza peace process during a meeting of foreign ministers in Paris. Cooper faced questions about Europe's role in interim governance of Gaza as Israel and Hamas agreed to pause their two-year conflict.
The ceasefire agreement includes Hamas releasing remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Donald Trump has received praise for his role in brokering the deal, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) saying it "would not have happened without" the US President's leadership.
UK politicians spent Thursday evening defending their contribution to the peace process. Cooper responded to questions about whether Europe would have representation on a proposed "Board of Peace" to oversee interim governance of Gaza.
Europe's role questioned
Cooper was asked specifically about European participation in the peace oversight panel. She told broadcasters: "European nations, the UK, other nations also from across the world, will all be strongly playing our part in supporting this peace process."
The Foreign Secretary praised multiple countries involved in negotiations. "I pay tribute to not just the US, but Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, who have been involved in these negotiations," Cooper said, emphasising the importance of supporting Trump's peace initiative.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the round-table discussion in Paris, alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. Cooper travelled to the meeting with her German counterpart Johann Wadephul after they met at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast.
UK involvement defended
Labour MP Emily Thornberry defended the UK's role against allegations that Britain had been "not even players" in the process. The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman told Sky News that Trump "has had sensible friends" such as Starmer.
Thornberry argued that while the UK could not influence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly, it had maintained influence with Trump. "Donald Trump's attitude to the Middle East has markedly changed over the last few months, because he has had sensible friends," she said.
Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair was named by Trump as one of the international leaders who would sit on the "Board of Peace". The ceasefire agreement comes just two days after the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks, when nearly 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage by Hamas.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
