Overview

This bill mandates the UK government to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign and independent state based on its pre-1967 borders, and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. It also requires the upgrading of the Palestinian Mission in London to a full diplomatic mission with associated privileges and immunities.

Description

This bill has four main sections:

• Recognition of the State of Palestine: The bill compels the UK government to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign and independent state within one month of the bill's passage. This recognition is explicitly based on the pre-1967 borders (as defined by UN General Assembly resolution 76/10 (2021)).
• Status of the Palestinian Mission to the UK: The bill mandates the upgrading of the Palestinian Mission in London to a full diplomatic mission within one month of the bill's passage. This includes granting diplomatic staff all applicable privileges and immunities under the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
• Duty to report to Parliament: The Secretary of State must submit a report to Parliament detailing the steps taken to comply with the bill's requirements within two months of its passage.
• Extent, commencement and short title: The Act applies across the UK and comes into force immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill does not explicitly state a cost, but the upgrading of the Palestinian Mission to a full diplomatic mission will likely involve additional government spending on security, staffing, and operational costs. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• The Palestinian people: The bill could significantly impact their political status and international standing.
• The UK Government: They will face the responsibility of implementing the bill's provisions and managing its consequences on UK foreign policy.
• The Israeli government: The bill's implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are likely to affect UK-Israel relations.
• The Palestinian Mission in London: Their status and operational capacity will change substantially.

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