Munich, 20 February 2024 (TDI): Prime Minister of Palestine Mohammed Shtayyeh engaged in discussions with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at the Munich Security Conference in Munich.
He stressed the urgent necessity of halting ongoing Israeli aggression against the people of Palestine in Gaza and the West Bank.
Shtayyeh emphasized the critical need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He underlined the dire consequences of any potential Israeli invasion of Rafah.
As a significant portion of the Strip’s population is currently trapped due to relentless attacks, Shtayyeh stressed the imperative for a robust international response to avert such a scenario.
He urged for an immediate cessation of the Israeli aggression against the peoples of Palestine. Furthermore, he emphasized the imperative of facilitating unrestricted humanitarian aid passage through all Gaza crossings.
As Chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), an important international donor group for Palestine, Shtayyeh asked Norway to lead European efforts in recognizing the State of Palestine. He wants Norway to take the lead in Europe for recognizing Palestine.
He emphasized the increasing consensus among multiple nations on the necessity of acknowledging Palestine as a sovereign state.
Additionally, Shtayyeh stressed the need for a clear plan to restart political talks, especially since there isn’t a reliable partner in Israel. He underscored the importance of recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state and allowing its full membership in the UN. Additionally, he called for a UN resolution outlining a detailed plan to halt the occupation.
Furthermore, Shtayyeh talked about Israel’s ongoing aggression, taking over land, and controlling areas. He said we need to take strong actions like sanctions and not supporting Israeli settlements and the people living there.
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Norwegian Support
In response, the Norwegian Foreign Minister reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Moreover, He reiterated Norway’s call for an immediate ceasefire and stressed the urgency of charting a viable political pathway towards resolution.
The meeting, held at the Munich Security Conference, was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad al-Maliki, Palestinian government spokesman Ibrahim Melhem, and the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Germany, Laith Arafa.
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