New York (UNA/WAFA) - The launch of an international coalition to establish a Palestinian state and implement the two-state solution was announced today, Friday, in a ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue and peace efforts, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, USA.
The ministerial meeting (on the situation in Gaza and the implementation of the two-state solution as a path to just peace) was organized by the Ministerial Contact Group of the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, and Norway, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said about this international coalition, “Today, in the name of Arab and Islamic countries and our European partners, we announce the launch of the ‘International Coalition to Implement the Two-State Solution,’ and we invite you to join this initiative.”
Ibn Farhan stressed that the war on Gaza caused a humanitarian catastrophe, in addition to the serious violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank, and the threat to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in consecration of the policy of occupation and violent extremism..
He stressed that “the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is an inherent right and a basis for peace, and not a final outcome negotiated within a far-fetched political process.”
He added: “Implementing the two-state solution is the best solution to break the cycle of conflict and suffering, and to enforce a new reality in which the entire region, including Israel, enjoys security and coexistence.”.
In turn, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa, stressed the need for the international community to move to stop the crimes of genocide in Gaza, and the ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the aggression against Lebanon, stressing that achieving peace and security in the region will not be achieved without stopping Israel and its aggression and ending the occupation.
“Everyone must work to stop the aggression and the war of extermination and lift the horrific siege on the Gaza Strip, in addition to recognizing the State of Palestine and supporting its membership in the United Nations, implementing the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and relevant United Nations resolutions, including the resolution taken by the General Assembly following the advisory opinion, which includes tangible commitments and collective mechanisms, and providing political, financial and economic support to implement the government’s national plan “Building Palestine”, especially supporting and providing relief to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,” Mustafa said.
“We want to end the suffering of the people and unleash their true potential,” he added, noting that the international conference to be held during the 79th session of the General Assembly should represent the culmination of our efforts in this regard.
The Prime Minister stressed that our rights as a nation, and our rights as human beings, including our right to self-determination, return, life, freedom and dignity, must be respected.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stressed that recognizing the Palestinian state paves the way for equal negotiations, noting that the region will continue to suffer from instability and lack of security if there is no immediate and real move to change the reality that has brought us to the tragic and dangerous situation we are living in today..
Aboul Gheit stressed the need to work effectively and practically to implement the two-state solution, by weakening the occupation, refraining from helping it by imposing sanctions on colonialism and its symbols, and boycotting its products, while at the same time supporting Palestinian efforts to establish a state..
He also stressed the need to work on increasing the pace of recognition of the Palestinian state, in preparation for constructive negotiations between two existing states, in addition to emphasizing that the only way to expand the scope of peace, recognition, normal relations and preserve existing peace agreements is to end the occupation and establish the Palestinian state..
In turn, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said that almost the entire world calls for a two-state solution.
“Nobody says, ‘This is not the right time for a two-state solution.’ When was the ‘right time?’ How many people have to die before it’s the ‘right time’?”
He continued: Almost the entire world calls for a two-state solution.. The UN General Assembly, the Security Council, more than 135 countries that recognize Palestine, and the International Court of Justice; all call for a two-state solution. However, this does not happen.”
Borrell stressed that “this matter harms the Palestinians, the Israelis, the region, international law and our global future.”.
“If the two-state solution is not the solution, then what is it? What is the alternative solution? So today we propose that all those who want to advance the two-state solution join forces in a global coalition to help implement it,” he asked.
He pointed out that from the EU's point of view, this global coalition should be an umbrella under which all [partners] can put whatever they want to do in order to contribute, motivate, assist, encourage, push, visualize, clarify and work towards the implementation of the two-state solution..
He explained that “although we all agree that there is no other possible solution, we do not agree on how and when this only solution will be implemented.”. Even in the European Union we have different views. But I believe that all of us, whether inside or outside the European Union, must contribute to achieving this goal.”
“It is up to the Israelis and the Palestinians to negotiate peace among themselves, but they will not do it alone. They need all of us to help them get there, by paving the way for the bridge they need to build, and by uniting our efforts as a practical, forward-looking global coalition,” Borrell said.. This must be the delivery today, the creation of a global coalition to implement the Palestinian state.”
Borrell thanked the Saudi Foreign Minister for his offer to host the first practical follow-up meetings at working level in Riyadh, where we must identify the basic elements of what we can all do towards this implementation, and confront and oppose those who do not want it..
He added: "I propose to hold a second meeting in Brussels in November."/November, to focus on one of the items that will be determined in today's discussions.”
“I welcome the commitment of my partners today to host further follow-up meetings, whether in Amman, Ankara, Cairo, Oslo or elsewhere, and I hope that these meetings will identify, on specific topics, the concrete elements of our contribution to the implementation of the two-state solution – well, the Palestinian state, because the other state (Israel) has already been implemented,” he continued.
He concluded his speech: “The ultimate responsibility lies with the Israelis and the Palestinians, but we, their friends and potential friends, bear our responsibility as well.”. “We have a responsibility to the thousands of innocent children who were killed because some people said, ‘Well, this is not the time to start thinking about this solution.’ Yes, this is the time. Otherwise, many more children will die before it is too late.”
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