The essence of the present Gaza conflict is rooted not only in the intricacies of the ongoing struggle but also in the crucial imperative that it creates for a peaceful resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Lord Stone serves on the board of the Next Century Foundation. As a senior Jewish member of the House of Lords, he has shared his perspectives and recommendations. He highlighted potential avenues for peace-building that could provide grounds for optimism regarding a secure future for the region. His viewpoint is shaped by a profound dedication to the relentless pursuit of peace.

Here is the published speech which is a response to the King’s speech in which the UK government laid out its agenda. The text of Lord Stone’s intervention follows below:

My Lords, the gracious Speech made scant reference to the Middle East conflict but what it said was even-handed. Your Lordships may feel that what I am about to suggest is unrealistic and too ambitious. However, the Minister, the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, has been very positive in support when I outlined these ideas previously. If anyone can see it through, he can.

As someone deeply tied to my Jewish heritage, the ongoing conflict in my other homeland, Israel, deeply troubles me. However, my concern extends to those affected in both Israel and the whole of Palestine. In supporting the cause for peace and stability in the Middle East, rather than take sides in this debate, I will offer suggestions on how to move forward positively, peacefully and with compassion and respect for all.

Palestinian Recognition

There is a need, first, for hope and respect for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. We need to arrive at a position where the nations of the world, including the United Kingdom, are ready to acknowledge and recognise the state of Palestine alongside Israel.

Secondly, we should agree to create a long-term plan for those two nations, Palestine and Israel, to enjoy a future where everyone benefits. We in the United Kingdom can help as an honest broker, by hosting a month-long conference to talk about a positive future rather than argue about the past. We could invite parties here to discuss this in a positive, constructive and pragmatic way, with the UK playing a co-ordinating role. A safe and appropriate location for such a conference would be here, in the Palace of Westminster, and/or Highgrove and/or St James’s Palace.

Gaza Port

Then, for example, Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia could work with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinians and other countries in the region to build a huge port in Gaza, linked to Cyprus, so that Palestine becomes the Hong Kong of the region and all its citizens have employment and become wealthy. Then, together, these countries—Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and others—having become partners in this huge, positive construction project, can work together to develop the Sinai peninsula as an enormous solar energy park and a source of clean energy for the planet. It would move the region from oil and gas income to massive solar energy profits. This partnership could build peace, co-operation and green energy on a vast scale, which the world needs.

Climb the Mountain

Also, it has been suggested that, since Mount Sinai is sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, we could invite leaders from all faiths to walk slowly up the mount from different directions and meet at the top, and they could declare that they all worship one God. Then, the area around could become a peace park, with hotels and wonderful venues for vacations, meditation, co-operation, conversation and exchanges of love and wisdom. Several organisations with which I am involved would be happy to help facilitate such a conference and further the projects that I have outlined over the long term.

In an earlier discussion regarding the establishment of a port for Gaza, Lord Stone reminded the British Government that Nabil Shaath had proposed a plan for the revitalization of Gaza Port, involving a connected port in Cyprus. This proposal hinged on Saudi Arabia recognizing both Israel and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. While acknowledging the substantial costs associated with such a significant initiative, Lord Stone suggested that private sector investments and potential contributions from other governments, possibly including the USA, could play a role. However, he emphasized that Saudi Arabia would likely be the primary shareholder in this venture.