Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement yesterday that he would support the existence of a Palestinian State, albeit with initially very stringent conditions attached must surely be seen as a gimmer of hope in the quest for peace for Israel and the middle east in general.

As an initial response to Obama’s opening gambit the announcement is a welcome development that undoubtedly gives the process momentum following the kick-start from Obama.

Sadly initial reaction from the Palestinian Authority has been lukewarm to put it mildly. But the Palestinian authority has to recognise the validity and (I hope and believe) the sincerity of the announcement, and that it was not an easy decision to make.

We are at the very beginning of a possible settlement to a lasting middle east peace , but we are there nevertheless and we must hope that international efforts continue to push all sides to proceed along this rocky road both in the knowledge that there will be those determined to sabotage the process and that sticking to a peaceful settlement is the only ultimate course with an priceless prize at the end of the process.

The EU, Unites States and the UK must continue to support Israel in this process and apply pressure to the Palestinian Authority to respond positively to this initial announcement.