European countries should recognize Palestinian state to end conflict: Riyad al-Maliki

ANTALYA, Türkiye (AA) – Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki has demanded that the European countries recognize the Palestinian state to reach a solution to the ongoing war.

“Such countries (European countries) have to take their initiative on their own and they have to start by recognizing the state of Palestine,” al-Maliki said during a press conference at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye.

He noted: “Ireland has to be in the forefront of doing so. The Irish people have been demanding this, the Irish parliament has adopted this and right now it depends on the Irish government to take that initiative.”

The Palestinian official also stressed that “the only legitimate authority that will operate and will continue operating in Gaza is the Palestinian Authority.”

“Netanyahu is not a citizen of Gaza and not an elected leader of the Palestinian people in Gaza in order (for him) to decide and to determine who will govern Gaza,” Maliki added.

He also called on the Muslim world and the international community to take a clear stance and thwart Israel’s centuries-long efforts to change the situation.

– Palestinian president to visit Ankara –

The minister said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be visiting Ankara on Tuesday.

The visit is a “reflection of the excellent working relationship that exists between the two countries.”

“Türkiye has been sending humanitarian aid to Gaza which is appreciated,” the official added, commending Türkiye’s “previous political position condemning atrocities, crimes, and genocide committed by Israel in Gaza.”

Speaking at the panel discussion titled “Building Blocks of a Lasting Peace in the Middle East,” the Palestinian foreign minister emphasized that “Palestinians want to be equal to all other (people).”

The minister stressed: “Israel has been shielded in the United Nations system,” adding that: “The moment that Israel realizes that there is a price to be paid, that enjoying impunity should have limits, and that accountability is the answer, then Israel will start reversing action.

“Israel continued (its attacks) because Israel believes that it can continue challenging the world … because the world has no guts to stand up and even say the word sanctions. They fear that Israel will label them anti-semitic,” Maliki added.

Regarding the Arab support for Palestine, Maliki stated: “All Arab countries, including the countries who have normalized relations with Israel, never stopped supporting the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, to independence.

“When it comes to financial support, there is a problem,” the foreign minister said, noting: “Israel has been holding our tax money for so many years … for the last year and a half we have not been able to pay salaries to our public servants and you know how that will reflect itself on security and stability.”

Israel has killed at least 30,320 Palestinians in the ongoing war on Gaza.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Israel continues to ignore the orders.