Spain hosts nations to discuss Israel-Palestine two-state solution
Spain hosted European and Arab countries for high-level talks in Madrid on Sunday, in an effort to pressure Israel to stop its military offensive in Gaza and move forward with a two-state solution.
'The only interest that all of us who are gathered here today... is to stop this unjust, cruel, inhumane war by Israel in Gaza, to break the blockade of humanitarian aid and to move definitively towards a two-state solution," Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, told media ahead of the meeting of 20 countries.
Albares referred to Gaza as an "open wound in humanity," that is claiming victims every day, and warned that silence is an "accomplice to this massacre."
The Madrid Group, also known as the G5+, is made up of European and Arab countries that promote the two-state solution.
Albares reassured that the group will take into account the peace and security of the people of Israel, but emphasised that the Palestinian people have the same right to such safety.
"Spain is going to propose here in Madrid today that there should be a major movement to recognise the Palestinian State. Again, not against the State of Israel, but in favour of the two-state solution," the foreign affairs minister said.
Albares also advocated for the suspension of the EU-Israel deal if Israel does not halt its military offensive in Gaza, which it recently ramped up in an effort to increase pressure on Hamas despite international criticism.
Israel's pressure on the militant group has included an aid blockage of almost three months, which raised widespread concerns about the critical risk of famine.
Sunday's meeting marked the fifth time the group of diplomats sat together, and comes ahead of a high-level UN conference on the two-state solution expected to take place in New York in mid-June.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said he hoped for US President Donald Trump to be present, and called the United States an "important stakeholder in the Middle East."
"We would like to see them engaged as much as possible. Their efforts in terms of Gaza ceasefire is appreciated," Mustafa said. "So hopefully more engagement, positive engagement by the US will bring help , bring peace and stability for the region.'
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