MADRID, Wednesday, May 29, 2024 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa today stated that the Israeli massacres in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah pose a test to the international community.
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid, Prime Minister Mustafa stressed that the massacres committed by the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah pose a test to the international community, and that the Palestinian people should not be let down in Rafah and across the territories of the State of Palestine.
“On behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas and the government of Palestine, the people of Palestine, we warmly welcome Spain’s recognition of the state of Palestine,” Mustafa said afterward. “This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue our struggle for a just and lasting peace.”
Mustafa was joined by Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and the foreign ministers for Turkey and Jordan, members of the group called the Foreign Ministerial Committee of Arabic and Islamic countries for Gaza. They also met with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
Spain’s Foreign Minister Albares demanded that Israel halt its aggression on Rafah, which has caused a humanitarian disaster, and called on it to comply with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling, that ordered it to halt its military offensive in Rafah, as well as international law.
He reemphasized the importance of an immediate and durable ceasefire in the Strip and allowing unhindered access of all humanitarian aid to the Strip.
He affirmed that his country’s historical decision to recognize the State of Palestine was a part of the winder context of ensuring justice for and affirming the right of the Palestinian people to a hope-filled future, and served as a means of reinforcing the two-state solution as the sole path towards peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
He expressed his hopes that more countries would follow suit by recognizing the State of Palestine as an manifestation of their commitment to peace.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Faisal bin Farhan stated: “We all know that the humanitarian catastrophe continues unabated in Gaza. This is the appropriate moment for you to be the beacon of hope for a two-state solution, as well as for peaceful coexistence in the region. Therefore, we thank you and hope that others will follow your example, because the path forward is the path towards peace,” he said while emphasizing that “this is through a two-state solution, with the presence of a Palestinian state living in peace and harmony.”
Jordan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Safadi expressed Jordan's appreciation for Spain's historic decision to recognise the State of Palestine.
Spain’s recognition of Palestine, along with similar decisions by Norway, Ireland and Slovenia, represents a legal, ethical and humanitarian stance in support of justice and international law, Safadi said, while stressing the importance of preventing extremists in the Israeli government from determining the future of the region.
He added: “The aggression on Gaza must end, and end immediately. The Palestinian people deserve justice, they deserve freedom. Our region deserves peace,” as he reiterated that Spain’s role was “essential”.
He slammed Israeli efforts to undermine the ICC.
“There should be no room in international relations for bullying, for intimidation against countries, against ICJ, against ICC, against any other international organization. All must speak up against this bullying, and against this.”
With Spain and Ireland, there are now nine members of the 27-nation European Union that officially recognize a Palestinian state. Norway is not an EU member but its foreign policy is usually aligned with the bloc.
Slovenia, an EU member, will decide on the recognition of a Palestinian state on Thursday and forward its decision to parliament for final approval.
K.F.
