Russia, as a mediator in the Middle East settlement, is making diplomatic efforts at all levels in connection with the worsening situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This opinion was expressed on Friday by Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of the Federation Council.
"The situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict seems to have reached a climax. Rocket fire from the Palestinian side, Israel's involvement of ground forces (although the very fact of Israel's ground operation in the Gaza Strip has so far been denied) - all this shows that the hot phase has already arrived," Kosachev wrote on his Facebook page.
He stressed that Russia traditionally mediates in this conflict. "I believe a lot depends on its voice. And therefore diplomatic efforts are now being made at all levels. Let's see how we can help by means of parliamentary diplomacy," the senator noted.
According to him, the common task of the world community is not to support any of the parties, but to urgently use the existing international mechanisms. "In particular, immediately convene a meeting of the Quartet of mediators at the ministerial level in the near future. And, of course, an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. In this regard, by the way, not very clear is the position of the US, which is delaying a decision on this issue, alone blocking the convening of the meeting, as well as the adoption of a general statement calling for de-escalation, which has already been discussed in two closed discussions," Kosachev stressed.
In addition, he is convinced that in no case should the actions of the parties be considered separately, without background and without context, otherwise there is a risk of being biased. "In this case, we cannot overlook the protests in East Jerusalem in early May, including at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, when clashes between the Arab population and the Israeli police began because of the eviction of Arab families," the FC deputy speaker pointed out.
Kosachev noted that the most important thing now is to stop the escalation of hostilities at all costs, "because civilians on both sides are dying." "What exactly the decision-making mechanism will be, who will be the first to stop, is not so important. There is experience, the key [factor] has always been the position of the international community. A lot depends on the coherence of its actions and unity of assessments," the politician is sure.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS