Recognising the State of Palestine is fully in line with international law and UN resolutions, serving as an opportunity to revive the peace process between the two sides, Palestine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr Varsen Aghabekian Shahin says.
In an interview with Phileleftheros, Shahin highlighted that the recognition by various states of the Palestinian state represents “a victory for Palestinian rights and a significant and practical step to protect the two-state solution based on ending the Israeli occupation and establishing the Palestinian state on the ground with Jerusalem as its capital.” This recognition, she added, empowers the Palestinian government to fulfil its duties and address the daily needs of its citizens.
Commenting on the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza, the Foreign Minister stated that the Netanyahu government continues to impose military and security solutions to the conflict, threatening to spiral it into a vicious cycle of uncontrollable violence.
She accused Netanyahu of deliberately demonising the Palestinian National Authority to justify “the genocide of our people in the Gaza Strip and to create conditions conducive to the gradual annexation of the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
Shahin also addressed October 7, stating that “Hamas carried out its attack unilaterally on October 7, while Israel initiated an attack on the Gaza Strip, intensifying the killing, destruction, and ethnic cleansing of its people.” She emphasised their commitment to the policies of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which represents the Palestinian people.
Is the humanitarian aid leaving Cyprus for the civilians of Gaza reaching its destination?
We want to believe that humanitarian aid will reach its destination safely and sustainably, bearing in mind that the Israeli occupation army and Israeli settlers are attacking humanitarian aid trucks and hindering their safety.
How does the Palestinian Authority face the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus?
We welcome any initiative which contributes to easing the suffering of our people. We trust the intentions of the Cypriot government, yet we don’t trust the intentions of the Israeli government. Israel is ethnic cleansing Palestinians in Gaza creating conditions whereby Gaza will no longer be liveable.
The world must impose pressure on Israel to open its borders.
In parallel, we call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to this genocidal war on our people.
Seven months after the war, do you see any prospect of an end? And how can this war come to an end?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of his far-right fascist coalition continue to ignite conflicts in the region, undermining its security and stability. Netanyahu refuses to cease the aggression until what he calls “absolute victory” is achieved, seeking to accomplish this through military means to buy more time for committing additional mass massacres, deepening manifestations of genocide, and completely destroying the Gaza Strip, making it uninhabitable and forcing its residents to emigrate, thereby prolonging his tenure in power.
Meanwhile, Israel is intensifying its military and settlement occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, by fragmenting it and tightening its military grip on the roads connecting its governorates, isolating them from each other. A firm international stance is required to compel Israel to adhere to the resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, and the orders issued by the International Court of Justice, paving the way for a sustainable ceasefire.
Is there a prospect of agreement with Israel?
The Israeli aggression against our people must be halted immediately, and protection must be provided for civilians along with ensuring their basic humanitarian needs are met. There must be an immediate release of hostages and prisoners, and the withdrawal of the occupation army from the Gaza Strip. The far-right Israeli government disregards the United Nations and its resolutions, as well as the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice.
This government continues to sabotage any international efforts to end the war on our people and tie it to a clear political vision that calls for resolving the conflict at its roots, enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination in their homeland.
It is also required to stop all unilateral and illegal Israeli actions and adhere to signed agreements and understandings, paving the way for Israeli engagement in a genuine political negotiation process according to international peace references, including the Arab Peace Initiative. This should lead to the end of the occupation and the official Israeli recognition of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Is a two-state solution possible based on today’s data?
The Netanyahu government continues to impose military and security solutions on the conflict, which threatens to explode it and drag it into a spiral of uncontrollable violence. This serves as a cover for advancing its colonial expansionist ambitions, aimed at undermining any chance of establishing a Palestinian state on the ground with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Israeli government intensifies settlement activities to undermine any possibility of implementing a two-state solution.
At the same time, there is a global consensus and a clear affirmation of the natural, legal, and historical right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, their aspirations for liberation and independence, and to live on their land in security and peace like other peoples of the world.
This consensus supports protecting and maintaining the two-state solution based on ending the colonial occupation and the Israeli apartheid system and achieving peace and stability in the region. This was evident in the overwhelming vote for granting full membership to the State of Palestine in the United Nations, with 147 out of 193 countries recognising the State of Palestine.
There is no alternative to the two-state solution to end the conflict, and it is crucial for the Security Council and the international community to fully assume responsibility for protecting and implementing it.
There is the impression that the Palestinian Authority is politically weak to manage the attacks from Israel and that Hamas has the upper hand. How do you comment on that?
Netanyahu and extremist ministers in his government deliberately demonize the Palestinian National Authority to justify the genocide of our people in the Gaza Strip and to create conditions conducive to the gradual annexation of the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. They do this by attempting to tarnish the image and credibility of the Palestinian National Authority, questioning its legitimacy, and using the harshest methods to weaken it.
This is part of a grand conspiracy aimed at solidifying the separation between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, thereby eliminating the Palestinian cause and the rights of our people. The Israeli government also engages in the piracy of tax revenues, which are the Palestinian people’s money, and imposes a crippling financial blockade on the Palestinian government, hindering its ability to meet the needs of our people. This Israeli policy aims to undermine all the foundations for the recognition of a Palestinian state on the ground.
In hindsight, do you think that if the murderous attack by Hamas had not happened, what followed, would have happened?
Hamas carried out its attack unilaterally on October 7, while Israel initiated an attack on the Gaza Strip, intensifying the killing, destruction, and ethnic cleansing of its people. We remain committed to the policies of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which represents the Palestinian people. However, we do not absolve the Israeli occupation of any responsibility for the crimes of genocide and violations it commits against our people.
How do you comment on the initiation of recognition of a Palestinian state by various states? What does this development mean for the Palestinian cause?
Recognising the State of Palestine is fully consistent with international law and United Nations resolutions, and it serves as a chance to revive the peace process between both sides. It is a victory for Palestinian rights and a significant and practical step to protect the two-state solution based on ending the Israeli occupation and establishing the Palestinian state on the ground with Jerusalem as its capital. This recognition empowers the Palestinian government to fulfil its duties and meet the daily needs of its citizens.
We call on countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take this step in the interest of peace and the two-state solution. It is essential to translate these recognitions into practical steps that put an end to the violations by the occupation and its settlers, paving the way for its termination.Recognition of Palestine. State recognition, Palestinian rights, peace process