Straw calls on Israel to end West Bank occupation

The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, today urged the Israeli government to end its military occupation of the West Bank.
Couched with heavy empathy for the fears of the Israeli population, Mr Straw warned the Isreal's government there could be no military solution to the "desperate situation".

Mr Straw told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think from the United Kingdom, all of us having been through the experience of Irish terrorism, at least have some understanding of the intensity of feeling in Israel.

"At the same time, from our later experience, one of things I have to say to the Israelis is that there can be frankly no military solution to this desperate situation which Israel and Palestine find themselves in."

He said suicide bombings were creating "complete despair" and called on both sides to start constructive peace talks through the American special envoy Anthony Zinni.

But he warned there was "no magic wand" to the situation.

Mr Straw also said he would investigate the claims by British peace campaigners who said they were fired on by Israeli troops. Mr Straw added: "I will make the appropriate representations."