‘Help Gaza now’

Agencies | Ramallah                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Foreign Affairs Minister, H.E. Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, has reiterated the Kingdom of Bahrain’s call for a ceasefire and de-escalation in the Gaza Strip, the need to protect civilians, release of hostages and detainees, and the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinians in Gaza to alleviate their suffering.

Dr Al Zayani also affirmed the position of the Kingdom in opposing the siege imposed on the residents of Gaza and their displacement from their homes, calling for resuming the peace process to reach a comprehensive and just political settlement for the Palestinian issue that would end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and preserve security and stability in the region.

Dr Al Zayani was speaking as he met Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, in Ramallah yesterday, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, a number of senior officials from the Palestinian government, and Ahmed Yousef Al-Ruwaie, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the State of Palestine residing in Amman.

The Foreign Minister noted that priority should be given to the protection of civilians on both sides of the conflict and that any action that results in the loss of innocent lives must be condemned, adding that the international community must stand united against the killing of children, women, the elderly and civilians wherever they are, as their death will not solve the fundamental issue but will create angry and vengeful generations.

Dr Al Zayani expressed appreciation for the UN General Assembly for adopting a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza, which was adopted by 120 votes, noting that the world is demanding action to stop the war, and that it is time to respond to these demands.

He called for greater efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire that guarantees the safety and security of all parties. The Minister also noted that coexistence between a safe Israeli state and a viable Palestinian state is the only way towards the achievement of peace and prosperity in the Middle East.

Support

Dr Al Zayani affirmed Bahrain’s unwavering position towards the cause of the Palestinian people through supporting the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

He stressed the importance of giving the Palestinian people their legitimate right to establish their independent state on their own land with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions.

Appreciation

President Abbas welcomed the visit of the Foreign Minister to the Palestinian territories in such difficult times, expressing appreciation for the continuous support of Bahrain, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for the right of the Palestinian people to liberty, dignity and independence.

The Palestinian leader reviewed with the Foreign Affairs Minister the latest developments and underscored the importance of addressing the serious challenges experienced by the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.