Dr. Nasser Al-Qudwa's urgent call for Palestinian reforms and unity as war intensifies and famine looms
Image: Mosab Shawer/ Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP
Former Foreign Minister of Palestine, Dr. Nasser Al-Qudwa has welcomed the final statement issued by the Two-State Solution Conference held in New York City, describing it as a milestone in the ongoing effort to resolve Israel's war on Palestine.
The conference outlined a 15-month timeframe for the establishment of a Palestinian state and called for an immediate end to the war.
This comes as Gaza's Ministry of Health reported that Israeli forces have killed at least 60,034 Palestinians since the war erupted in October 2023.
In addition, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring system, warned in a new report that the 'worst-case scenario of famine' was unfolding in Gaza.
'This declaration represents an important step toward ending the conflict and realising our people's aspirations for freedom and independence,' said Al-Qudwa in a formal statement issued after the conference.
Al-Qudwa said there is a dire need to unify Gaza and the West Bank and welcomed the clear affirmation that Gaza is an inseparable part of the future Palestinian state.
He underlined that reform within the Palestinian Authority is a prerequisite for restoring national unity and reviving Palestinian political agency on the international stage.
'The path to national unity must pass through uncompromising institutional reform,' he said, adding that political change across both territories must culminate in 'free and democratic general elections that restore the trust of the Palestinian citizen and renew leadership legitimacy.'
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Al-Qudwa also praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's 'pioneering and critical role' during this sensitive period, citing its steadfast support for Palestinian rights and its contribution to peace efforts.
He urged Palestinian stakeholders to build on this momentum, noting that 'recognising and nurturing Saudi Arabia's role in future political discussions is vital.'
Al-Qudwa also called for urgent and ongoing meetings among Palestinian leaders to adopt a unified and official stance endorsing the New York Conference's principles, particularly those concerning governance reform, elections, and Arab backing for the political process.
He reiterated the importance of condemning all attacks on civilians and reaffirmed the Palestinian commitment to international law and the principle that peace cannot be achieved through occupation, displacement, or war.
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