Luxembourg: Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has asserted that the current conflict is not merely a war but an attempt to obliterate a people and their cause. He emphasized that lasting peace cannot be achieved without holding Israel accountable for its actions. These statements were made during a joint press conference with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Dubravka €š¬¦ uica, following the first EU-Palestine High-Level Political Dialogue in Luxembourg, attended by the Foreign Ministers of all 27 EU member states.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Mustafa highlighted Europe's long-standing support for a two-state solution, urging EU member states to translate their support into concrete actions to end the Israeli occupation. He expressed gratitude towards the EU countries that have recognized the State of Palestine and called on others to follow suit, emphasizing that the coexistence of two states is impossible under ongoing occupation.
Mustafa warned of the regional instability posed by Israel's efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority and underscored the importance of UNRWA in maintaining regional stability. He painted a grim picture of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, where over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, and mass displacement and land confiscation are rampant.
The Prime Minister stressed the necessity of accountability, stating that peace cannot prevail without addressing Israel's crimes in Gaza and violations of international law. He called for an immediate ceasefire as a matter of urgency to save lives and ensure the flow of aid.
Mustafa also spoke about the need for Gaza's reconstruction, advocating for the Arab League's reconstruction plan, supported by the EU and OIC, as a viable path forward. He viewed the High-Level Dialogue as a critical decision point, advocating for a strategic partnership with the EU and the conclusion of a full Association Agreement.
Highlighting the demographic changes being forced upon Palestine, Mustafa revealed the alarming figures of Palestinian casualties and displacements. He reiterated the Palestinian Government's commitment to reform, with 50 measures already implemented in the first year of his administration.
The Prime Minister urged European countries to pressure Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax revenues and called for adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 2735 to facilitate a ceasefire and reconstruction efforts. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming reconstruction conference in Cairo and the high-level international conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia as opportunities to support the two-state solution.
Concluding his address, Mustafa thanked the European Union for its support and urged it to take decisive action to transform the conflict from violence to peace, destruction to reconstruction, and occupation to liberation.
