Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen as a significant obstacle to achieving a political settlement in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said during a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Ramallah.
"Successive Israeli governments have systematically undermined the two-state solution, destroying any chance of establishing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital. Netanyahu is unwilling to allow any political path to succeed," stated Shtayyeh, as reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
Shtayyeh emphasized the urgency for the international community to intervene, stating, "The international community must halt the genocide and aggression carried out by the Israeli occupier against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem."
Calls for sanctions
Shtayyeh called for "sanctions against Israel and Jewish settlements deemed illegal under international law." He urged a broader approach to humanitarian aid delivery, saying "It is necessary to reopen all crossings into the Gaza Strip, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid." Shtayyeh demanded Israel permit the transfer of humanitarian aid from the West Bank to Gaza and restore essential services.
The prime minister accused Israel of supporting the expansion of Jewish settlers in the West Bank and their attacks against Palestinians, all under the protection of the Israeli army, as reported by WAFA.
Dire humanitarian situation
In discussions with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong addressed the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip resulting from an Israeli military operation.
Al-Maliki urged the Australian government to "recognize the State of Palestine in accordance with universal principles and values." He informed Wong of regular Israeli violations in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, such as daily raids, civilian casualties, and the seizure of Palestinian land for Jewish settlers. These violations, according to al-Maliki, threaten the security and stability of the entire region and aim to change the status quo.
Australia's response
Expressing concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, Wong emphasized Australia's "clear and firm position" on the need to protect civilians, to end suffering in the Gaza Strip, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Wong underlined the necessity to resume the political process for conflict resolution and the establishment of a Palestinian state following the principle of a two-state solution. She added that Australia has doubled its humanitarian aid to Palestine in response to the current catastrophic humanitarian situation, as reported by WAFA.
Escalation in the region
The situation in the Middle East has escalated after fighters from the Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.
Israel responded with a complete blockade of Gaza, launching retaliatory strikes on the enclave, Lebanon, and Syria. Clashes continue in the West Bank.
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Based on materials from TASS