Abstaining

Sir Richard Ottaway, the Foreign Affairs Committee chair, recites the history of the creation of the state of Israel, which "has been fighting for its existence ever since".

Sir Richard says he has been a "friend of Israel" long before he became a Conservative MP and stood by the country through "thick and thin". But such is his "anger" at the Israeli Government's recent annexation of "950 acres of the West Bank" he will abstain from the motion.

Mr Ottaway adds that he is not yet convinced that Palestine is ready to be a state and says it should only be recognised once a peace agreement is achieved.