In a brief press briefing on Wednesday in front of the UN Security Council chamber, which was discussing Middle East issues, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya responded to a question from Al-Quds Al-Arabi regarding the 59th anniversary of the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem, Western support for this occupation, and the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state within the framework of the so-called “two-state solution.” He stated that the continuation of the war in Gaza “would not have happened without the support of some Western powers, particularly the United States and European countries.” He said that Western support for Israel has not ceased and that this support has been an influential factor in the development of the situation on the ground and in weakening the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state. He added, “I look at the resolution recently adopted on Gaza; it seems that it is not being implemented.”
Nebenzia pointed out that what is happening in the occupied West Bank is not limited to gradual annexation, but includes projects such as the “E1” settlement, which he said could lead to a geographical separation between parts of the West Bank.
The Russian ambassador also spoke about Israeli plans to impose control over large parts of the Gaza Strip, between 50 and 70 percent, considering this a development that undermines the possibility of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state and violates the aforementioned resolution. It also makes the establishment of an independent state more difficult.
He added, “All of this is happening in front of Western countries and in front of all countries, even though we warned from the beginning about the seriousness of the situation in Gaza and its impact on the opportunity for the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
The ambassador noted the ongoing debate about the two-state solution, and what he described as “the repercussions of current policies on the future of the political settlement and the impact of developments in the region on the Palestinian issue.”
During the same press conference, Al-Quds Al-Arabi directed two questions to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, focusing on the Palestinian people’s right to resist the Israeli occupation, and on his vision for a just solution that would end this conflict.
In his response, Petro began with a historical and linguistic approach, asserting that Palestinians, Arabs, and Persians are originally Semitic peoples, all descendants of Shem, son of Noah, just as are the Jews. Based on this, the Colombian president argued that labeling criticism of Israeli policies as "anti-Semitism" lacks historical accuracy and linguistic logic, noting that the term is being misused and deliberately employed to silence and criminalize dissenting voices.
To illustrate this point, Petro cited an incident in the Colombian city of Montería, where Israeli authorities labeled a participant in a demonstration a "Nazi," based on a misinterpretation of a salute that some considered controversial. He explained that the salute has ancient Roman origins and is fundamentally different from the well-known Nazi salute, emphasizing that using this accusation in this way constitutes a clear distortion of history.
Petro did not hesitate to describe what happened in Gaza as genocide, calling for its perpetrators to be held accountable before international courts. He emphasized that Israel's growing international isolation is not the result of external pressure or organized political campaigns, but rather a direct consequence of what he described as the genocide taking place in Gaza, noting that the majority of the world's people now reject this course and stand against it.
The Colombian president added that continuing this approach will only lead to further fragmentation and division at the international level, warning that any settlement not based on justice and the provisions of international law will remain fragile and incapable of establishing a real and lasting peace.
Regarding a solution, Pietro called for the establishment of two independent and fully sovereign states, considering this the only way to achieve a just and lasting settlement. However, he framed this solution within a broader civilizational perspective, invoking a striking distinction made by the Pope between the Tower of Babel, a symbol of forced unification into one language and one ideology, and the walls of Jerusalem, built by peoples of diverse languages and cultures.
Based on this understanding, Pietro emphasized that true peace is not built on imposing a particular culture or eliminating human diversity, but rather on recognizing and embracing this diversity, and on openness to dialogue among civilizations as the authentic approach to overcoming conflicts and building a shared future. He stressed the necessity of respecting different identities and preserving freedom of religion everywhere, considering them indispensable pillars for any settlement worthy of the name.
