Shtayyeh discusses with several French key officials the need for international pressure to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

MUNICH: Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh discussed with several French key officials steps toward achieving a French-European recognition of the State of Palestine and the need for international pressure to reach an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This came during a meeting today with the French Minister of State for Europe Emmanuel Boone and the French President's advisor on the Middle East and North Africa Anne Claire Legendre, on the sidelines of his participation in the Munich Security Conference. The Prime Minister called for working toward accelerating France's recognition of the State of Palestine, emphasizing that such a step would have a positive impact on the decision of several countries that are tending to recognize the State of Palestine. He also called for joint work toward ensuring Palestine's full membership in the United Nations. He welcomed the development in the position of the French position toward the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the demand for a ceasefire. Both s ides stressed that the priority is to achieve a ceasefire and prevent the invasion of Rafah, which could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. They further stressed the need to bring aid into the Strip to respond to the urgent needs of people there through the opening of all crossings with the Strip and just through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. They also underscored the necessity of creating a political horizon that revives hope for peace. Shtayyeh also stressed the importance of having a clear political path that leads to an end to the occupation and the embodiment of the state of Palestine, especially in the absence of an Israeli partner. He added that any political path must be preceded by the recognition of the Palestinian state and its full membership in the United Nations through a UN resolution that includes a program to end the occupation. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA