Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa: Israel must be held accountable
Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa: Israel must be held accountable
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa stated during the first High-Level Dialogue Meeting with the European Union (EU) that achieving lasting peace and a two-state solution requires holding Israel accountable, and he called on the international community to act.
Mustafa spoke to the press following the conclusion of the first High-Level Dialogue Meeting between the EU and Palestine.
Describing the meeting in Luxembourg as productive, Mustafa said:
“Israel has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Entire neighborhoods in the West Bank lie in ruins, mass displacement and land grabs are accelerating. What we are witnessing is not just a war, but an attempt to erase a people and a cause. We are not here to accuse anyone—we are here to ask the international community for clarity. There can be no lasting peace without accountability. Israel must be held responsible for the crimes committed in Gaza and for the escalating violations of international law both in Gaza and the West Bank. Silence or delay only inspires impunity.”
Mustafa said he discussed with the EU the implementation of a ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of Gaza, noting that the Arab Plan provides a clear roadmap.
The Palestinian Prime Minister added, “Ongoing efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority—financially, politically, and in other ways—do not only threaten us as Palestinians, but also regional stability.”
Call for recognition of the Palestinian state
Thanking EU countries that have already recognized the State of Palestine, Mustafa said he called on other countries to do the same during the meeting.
Highlighting that the war in Gaza, displacement in the West Bank, economic blockade, financial siege, illegal settlement activity, and settler violence all aim to prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, he continued:
“I think what today’s meeting showed is that the world—and Europe—does not agree with Israel. Europe, like many other countries and institutions around the world, is saying that Palestinians should have the right to self-determination, to establish their own independent state, to live in freedom and liberty, to live a life of dignity, and to be a good neighbor in the Mediterranean. We are committed to this. They are committed to this. That is why this partnership is so important. It’s a source of hope for the Palestinian people.”
Mustafa noted that 149 countries and 11 EU member states have recognized the State of Palestine, saying:
“We have heard encouraging remarks from some key EU members regarding their serious consideration of recognizing the State of Palestine in the near future. I believe the sooner this happens, the better. However, I think some are waiting for the International Peace Conference scheduled for June 17 in New York to make such announcements. But we are encouraging countries to take this step as soon as possible. This could accelerate the path to peace in the region and help level the playing field.”