“The real upgrade that’s missing is in the Palestinian willingness to talk peace”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague on Tuesday in London, one day after Hague agreed to upgrade the status of the Palestinian delegation to a full diplomatic mission. 
"It remains more vital than ever that we press for a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We want to see an urgent return to negotiations, based on clear parameters including 1967 borders," Hague said.

The change is only symbolic and representatives will not have diplomatic immunity or other privileges accorded to those working on behalf of nations Britain recognizes as independent.

Other European states, notably France, Spain, and Ireland, have made the same move in recent months, but have not joined the 110 UN Member States who recognize an independent Palestinian state along its 1967 boundaries.

An Israeli embassy spokesman in London said, “The real upgrade that’s missing is in the Palestinian willingness to talk peace.”

Abbas arrived in London on Monday evening for special talks with Cameron aimed at finding a breakthrough in restarting “peace talks” between Palestine and Israel.

Abbas met on Monday night with former Foreign Secretary David Milliband.

The Foreign Office said it planned to inform other nations, including Israel, of the change.