UN experts urge all countries to recognise Palestinian state
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A group of UN experts on Monday called on all countries to recognise a Palestinian state to ensure peace in the Middle East.
GENEVA: A group of UN experts on Monday called on all countries to recognise a Palestinian state to ensure peace in the Middle East.
The call comes less than a week after Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised the Palestinian state, sparking anger in Israel, which finds itself increasingly isolated after nearly eight months of war in Gaza.
Experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories, said recognition of a Palestinian state is an important acknowledgement of the rights of the Palestinian people and their struggle for freedom and independence.
“This is a precondition for lasting peace in Palestine and the entire Middle East – starting with the immediate declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza and no further military incursions into Rafah,” he said.
“The two-state solution is the only internationally agreed path to peace and security for both Palestine and Israel and is the only way out of a generational cycle of violence and resentment.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As well as recognising a Palestinian state, Spain, Ireland and Norway said they wanted to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
The three countries say they hope their decision will inspire other EU countries to do the same. Denmark’s parliament later rejected a proposal to recognise a Palestinian state.
Israel has repeatedly denounced moves to recognise a Palestinian state, saying it would embolden Hamas, a militant Islamist group that carried out a deadly attack on Israel on October 7 that triggered the Israeli offensive into the Gaza Strip.
More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel says 1,200 people were killed in the October 7 offensive, while more than 250 were taken hostage.
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