Madrid – Prime Minister’s Office – Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, said that ending the Israeli occupation, more countries recognizing Palestine as a state, and granting it full United Nations membership are what makes the two-state solution possible.

The Prime Minister made his statement during a meeting in the Spanish capital of Madrid hosted by the Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, which included members of the Arab-Islamic Contact Group on Gaza, as well as representatives from Norway, Slovenia, Ireland, and the European Union. The meeting aimed to intensify international efforts to implement the two-state solution and reaffirm the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion deeming the Israeli occupation illegal. The UN General Assembly is set to vote next week on a draft resolution to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories during its 79th session.

The Prime Minister emphasized the important need for the international community to mobilize all efforts to take concrete steps towards implementing the two-state solution; stressing the importance of halting the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Mustafa asserted that the course of international justice manifested in implementing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, constitutes the basis for confronting the unlawful Israeli occupation and halting its illegal practices affecting Palestinian rights, urging support for the UN vote.

“Gaza remains an unceasing open wound, and the Israeli schemes target not only the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, but also the entire existence of the whole Palestinian people,” stressed Mustafa; urging support for the Government of Palestine’s efforts to implement relief programs for Gaza and for reconstruction and revitalization efforts once the Israeli aggression ceases.

For his part, Spanish Foreign Minister Albares affirmed Spain's support for Palestine and the Palestinian government’s efforts throughout Palestinian territories, including Gaza. He emphasized Spain's continued support for the establishment of the Palestinian state and the two-state solution as a framework to move on from words to actions and to make strides towards a clear schedule for the effective implementation of a two-state solution.

Albares noted that while progress in recognizing the State of Palestine is significant, it is not sufficient; stressing the need for the international community to take decisive action against attempts to undermine the two-state solution and expand the cycle of violence, while adhering to international law, halting aggression, and bringing about security and peace in the Middle East.

The meeting also discussed regional developments, efforts to halt the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, and the enhancement of humanitarian efforts and ensuring unhindered aid delivery throughout the Gaza Strip.