Moves to recognize Palestinian state sends Israel message on ‘illusions’ of continuing occupation: Palestinian FM
RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: The planned recognition by several countries of a Palestinian state at a UN summit sends a clear message to Israel on its “illusions” of continuing its occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinian foreign minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin told AFP on Wednesday.
Several countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France and the United Kingdom have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations summit co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris on September 22 in New York.
Shahin, who said she was “shocked” by the European Union’s inaction over the nearly two-year war in Gaza, said this new diplomatic push is the long-awaited fulfilment of a promise made by the international community to the Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted “there will be no Palestinian state,” and last month Israel approved a major West Bank settlement that the international community has warned threatens the viability of a future such state.
