‘The world must act now’ to end Gaza crisis: Bahrain FM

Agencies | Geneva                                                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Foreign Affairs Minister, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, urged the international community to intensify its efforts to end the hostile war on the Gaza Strip and put an end to the horrific human catastrophe.

Dr. Al Zayani said that it must fulfill its responsibilities and legal and ethical obligations by intervening immediately in resolving the crisis in Gaza, which persists as the offensive continues to violate international law and international humanitarian law.

The Minister made the statements as he attended an event in Geneva by the Permanent Mission of Palestine regarding the war in Gaza. The event was attended by members of the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee formed following the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit and participating ministers and representatives of countries participating in the United Nations celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In his speech, Dr. Al Zayani affirmed that Bahrain supports the rights of the Palestinian people and calls for a ceasefire and cessation of military operations in Gaza, protecting civilians, releasing hostages, he said, stressing the importance of putting an end to killing Palestinians of hunger, thirst, and the spread of diseases.

He called on the international community to end the humanitarian crisis, lift the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip, open humanitarian corridors, and facilitate aid flow. The kingdom calls on Israel to stop targeting residential neighbourhoods, health facilities, and places of worship, and forcibly displace Palestinians; in adherence to international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 2014, he added.

Security and stability

Dr. Al Zayani affirmed the need for permanent security and stability in the Middle East by ensuring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and that an independent Palestinian state must be established with East Jerusalem as its capital on the June 4, 1967 borders.

He stressed that the two-state solution, endorsed by international legitimacy, paves the way to a just and comprehensive peace. He called on the international community to join efforts in commitment to justice and human dignity values, and to take swift humanitarian measures to end the suffering in the Gaza Strip. The Minister said the international community has the ability to achieve a brighter, more peaceful future for the Palestinian people and the Middle East.