Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was received today in Ramallah by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine. A number of senior Palestinian government officials were present, including Ahmed Yousef Al-Ruwaie, the Ambassador of Bahrain to the State of Palestine residing in Amman, the Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
During these difficult times, President Abbas welcomed the visit of the Foreign Minister to the Palestinian territories, expressing appreciation for Bahrain's continued support for the right of the Palestinian people to liberty, dignity, and independence, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
In his meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Palestinian President discussed the latest developments and underscored the importance of addressing the serious challenges facing the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Furthermore, he urged an immediate halt to the aggression against the Palestinian people, which violates international law, and called for the establishment of permanent humanitarian corridors to bring in humanitarian aid, water, electricity, and fuel. Additionally, he reiterated his rejection of partial solutions to the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian cause, calling for a comprehensive political solution, based on international legitimacy, that would end the occupation of East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine. Additionally, he reiterated his opposition to displacing Palestinians from their homes and lands, whether in Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem.
Asserting the Palestinian people's rights, and calling for an end to the Israeli aggression, the Palestinian President appreciated the Arab countries' and people's positions.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister reiterated Bahrain's support for the Palestinian National Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people. Based on the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions, he stressed that the Palestinian people have the legitimate right to establish their own independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. His call for a ceasefire and de-escalation in the Gaza Strip, the protection of civilians, the release of hostages and detainees, and the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinians in Gaza has been reiterated.
The King also affirmed the Kingdom's opposition to the siege imposed on Gaza residents and the displacement of the residents. He urged the resumption of the peace process so that a comprehensive and just political solution to the Palestinian issue could be reached, thereby preserving security and stability in the region and ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
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. He said the international community must stand united against the killing of children, women, the elderly and civilians anywhere they are because their deaths will not resolve the fundamental issue but will create angry and vengeful generations instead.
Dr. Al Zayani commended the UN General Assembly for adopting a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza, which was passed by 120 votes, noting that the world is demanding action to stop the war, and it is time to do so. Efforts should be made to ensure that all parties are safe and secure by achieving a permanent ceasefire.
In addition, the Minister stated that peace and prosperity in the Middle East can only be achieved through coexistence between a safe and viable Israeli state and a viable Palestinian state.