RAMALLAH, July 1, 2025 (WAFA) — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, briefed Austria’s Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, today on the latest political and field developments in the occupied Palestinian Territory
She addressed the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, which is facing a genocidal war and forced displacement, calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
She warned that what is unfolding before the world is a live-broadcast genocide, accompanied by Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinian civilians, and the systematic destruction of all aspects of life in the Strip with the aim of forcibly displacing its population. She stressed that this requires urgent action from the international community to stop the genocide and allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid.
She also warned against the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” describing it as a deadly trap for aid seekers and a tool for collective punishment, underlining the importance of supporting UN mechanisms for delivering humanitarian assistance.
Shahin reaffirmed the vital role of UNRWA, which possesses the infrastructure, expertise, trust, and legitimacy to provide effective humanitarian aid. She cautioned that undermining UNRWA jeopardizes the lives of Gaza’s residents.
She praised Austria’s financial support to UNRWA and its crucial role in enabling the agency’s ongoing work.
Describing the situation as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and basic principles of human dignity, Shahin said, “Gaza has become a moral test for our world. If we fail to ensure accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, we risk undermining the very foundations of the international system.”
Regarding the dire situation in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, Shahin reviewed the crimes and violations committed by Israeli occupation forces and settlers against Palestinian civilians, their land, and property, particularly in the northern West Bank, where the demolition of homes and infrastructure, along with the forcible displacement of hundreds of families, continues unabated.
She also reviewed the ongoing attacks by armed settler gangs, who continue to terrorize Palestinian villages and towns under the protection of the Israeli army, setting fire to homes and vehicles, vandalizing property, and killing civilians. Shahin urged the international community to take concrete and effective measures to stop these crimes, emphasizing that mere expressions of concern are no longer sufficient while Israel, as the occupying power, continues to act with complete impunity.
She urged Austria to take concrete measures, including imposing deterrent sanctions on Israel in accordance with international law, and to review the EU-Israel partnership agreement due to its breaches of international law. Shahin also called for support in pressuring Israel to immediately and unconditionally release Palestinian tax revenues it unlawfully withheld.
Shahin outlined the government’s plans for reform and reconstruction and the steps taken to enhance governance and transparency, emphasizing readiness to assume responsibility for Gaza once the current genocidal war ends, as part of the approved reconstruction and emergency relief plan.
She affirmed that the Palestinian people continue to suffer decades of occupation, ongoing colonial settlement expansion, and systematic annexation policies that undermine the two-state solution. Shahin called on Austria to participate in the high-level international conference aimed at ending the occupation and implementing the two-state solution based on international law and UN resolutions.
The two ministers also discussed future cooperation in vital sectors, including health, education, clean energy, and innovation.
For her part, Austria’s Minister for European and International Affairs expressed concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to end civilian suffering and facilitate unhindered humanitarian aid.
She reiterated Austria’s rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza or other areas, describing such acts as clear violations of international law.
She reaffirmed Austria’s firm support for the two-state solution, viewing it as the only acceptable path to achieving peace with two states living side by side.
T.R.
