Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Maliki today defended his people’s right to freedom as the only path to peace at the ministerial meeting convened by the UN Security Council.
Photo: taken by PL
Al-Maliki rejected Israel’s attempts to make the Gaza Strip disappear and recalled the enclave’s importance in nation-building.
“There is no Palestine without Gaza.” Gaza bleeds, Gaza suffers, Gaza suffers, but Gaza lives. And Palestine is alive. Free Palestine. “This is the only path to peace,” he said.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants described the occupying power’s aggression as a bloodbath with a total of 15,000 compatriots murdered, including 10,000 women and children.
The chief stressed the need to bring international attention to the occupied territory “to put an end to impunity and prevent the recurrence of these crimes, which occur daily and in broad daylight.”
“What our people must now endure is the result of the failure of the international community to ensure such protection and accountability,” he added.
Tel Aviv seeks to intimidate those who criticize it and to defend the international rule of law around the world, including governments; the Secretary General António Guterres; as well as UN organizations and humanitarian organizations, he denounced.
“Israel does not seek security, but would choose peace,” he stressed.
For his part, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed that the solution to the conflict is a two-state solution.
Dialogue and negotiation are the best way to save lives; At this crossroads between war and peace, the international community must work to find solutions, he said.
The diplomat warned of the risks of escalating the conflict if fighting resumed. Civilians must be protected through stronger measures and the United Nations must play a greater role in humanitarian efforts in Gaza, he added, announcing that China would provide another aid package for the population in the enclave.
In this spirit, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani called for “real action” for peace.
“Any attempt to avoid direct action will only lead to an escalation of violence. We call for peace; “Without the establishment of a Palestinian state, the region will not enjoy peace and security,” he stressed.
Al-Thani urged further Security Council action, including a monitoring mechanism to oversee the distribution of aid.
Above all, international humanitarian law must be respected, without double standards, he said.
The Prime Minister also confirmed that his country is maintaining close contacts with the parties to put an end to the bloodshed and ensure the return of the hostages.