We understand that on Monday 13 October, the House of Commons will debate a backbench motion: “That this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel.”

We note that there is an amendment to this motion: “on the conclusion of successful peace negotiations between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.’"

We appeal to you as our MP to:

· Turn up to the debate.

· Vote for the amendment.

· Add your name to the amendment.

The principle of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue is widely accepted, although not by Hamas and at best grudgingly by the Palestinian Authority. The two-state solution must be achieved through negotiation and genuine mutual agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, not through unilateral moves nor pre-emptive recognition.

Unilateral moves such as Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 have not succeeded, whereas negotiated peace deals such as the treaties between Israel and Egypt and later Jordan have proved durable.