ANTALYA, Türkiye

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki stressed on Saturday that the European countries should 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 antisemitic,” 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.”

‘Lebanon wants peace’

Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib stressed that his country is “ready for negotiations” for “partial peace which is security.”

“Lebanon wants peace, not a peace treaty. A complete peace that includes the Palestinians. A peace that could give them security and prosperity as well,” Bouhabib said.

Regarding the tension between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, the official said: “Hezbollah stated that if there is no invasion, they don't want a war. There are skirmishes and if there is a pause in Gaza, they will also do it in Lebanon.”

‘Bahrain for dialogue to end war’

Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, undersecretary of the Bahraini Foreign Ministry, stressed: “The eruption of any conflict or war is due to the failure of diplomacy.”

“It would be impossible for any country to be involved in any efforts of mediation or reconciliation if it imposes unilateral measures against any party in that,” he said, noting that Bahrain believes that “achieving peace will never be through isolation, extremism or aggression, but rather a communication, dialogue and peaceful means.”

‘We believe in justice, hope’

Speaking at a separate panel discussion titled “Local Approaches to Global Issues,” Ramallah Mayor Issa Kassis said: “Ramallah, as a municipality and a part of UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments), manages to overcome difficulties and show the world what Palestinians can do.”

“We continue to resist in a civilized way,” he added, noting: “We believe in justice, hope and peace. This is what we are trying to do as a local government.”

Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people.

At least 30,320 Palestinians have since been killed and 71,533 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

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.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi