This call came in a speech by Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Faresin Aghapakian Shahin, during her participation in the fifth ministerial meeting of the European Union and the Southern Neighborhood of the Mediterranean, dedicated to discussing developments in the "Mediterranean Charter," which the European Union intends to launch before the end of this year, according to a statement issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Palestinian minister stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and ensuring sustainable humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. She also emphasized the importance of supporting a political process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
She warned against the violation of the principles of international law and international humanitarian law, considering that these violations undermine the rules-based international order and threaten regional and international stability. She emphasized that what is happening in Gaza "amounts to genocide," as the civilian population is being subjected to a violent attack aimed at "ethnic cleansing."
Shaheen added that humanitarian aid should not be used as a tool to exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people, calling for increased support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and humanitarian organizations operating in the field.
The minister also pointed to the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which she said is "fragmented by more than 900 military checkpoints," in addition to the escalation of Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank, particularly in the camps, and the widespread destruction they have caused.
Shaheen pointed out that Jerusalem and its holy sites are being subjected to accelerated Judaization and annexation policies aimed at separating the city from its Palestinian surroundings through the establishment of large settlement blocs.
Regarding the financial situation, Israel was accused of illegally confiscating Palestinian tax revenues, which hinders the Palestinian government's ability to provide basic services. Shaheen called on the European Union to use its influence to pressure Israel to immediately release these funds, which are essential to maintaining stability.
It is worth noting that the tax revenues, known as "clearance funds," are collected from Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on imported goods. However, Tel Aviv has continued to deduct amounts from these funds for various reasons for years. The value of the withheld funds to date has reached approximately $2.45 billion.
In parallel with the genocide in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation army and settlers escalated their attacks in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, resulting in the deaths of at least 999 Palestinians, the injury of nearly 7,000, and the arrest of more than 18,000, according to Palestinian data.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with US support, has been waging genocidal crimes in Gaza, including murder, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement. These crimes have left more than 197,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands displaced.
