By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippines reaffirmed its support for the creation of a Palestinian state, backing an international coalition calling for the implementation of a two-state solution to end the Israel-Palestine conflict.
At the Security Council open debate on the Middle East and the question of Palestine on Oct. 29, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations Minister Noel Novicio announced the country’s support for the Global Alliance for the Implementation of a Palestinian State and a two-state solution.
“In May, the Philippines supported a General Assembly Resolution that upgraded Palestine’s rights at the UN as an observer state and urged the Security Council to favorably consider Palestine’s full UN membership,” he said.
“In this regard, the Philippines supports the creation of the State of Palestine and its acceptance as a full member of the UN as soon as possible.”
In conveying support to the coalition, Novicio underscored that diplomacy is “key to lasting peace in the Middle East.”
The international alliance, launched by Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the European Union (EU) in September, aims to promote the two-state solution and calls on countries to recognize an independent Palestinian state.
At its first meeting in Riyadh on Oct. 30, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said efforts to end the possibility of Palestinian statehood have “gained terrible momentum” over the past years, setting back prospects for a two-state solution.
“What is happening in Gaza and the West Bank is taking us further away from the prospect of peace, co-existence, and self-determination,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said.
“Instead, it is leading us down a path that will bring endless war and misery to Israelis and Palestinians for generations to come.”
On top of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the conflict has served as a volatile flashpoint for a wider conflict that has affected neighboring Lebanon as Israel and the Hezbollah trade fires.
Norway’s Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide earlier called on Security Council to join the coalition, noting that negotiations cannot go on eternally.
“We have to change gear and accelerate this work now, and see how we can come out of this deadlock and try to use this deep crisis also as an opportunity,” he told the Security Council.
“We want one Palestine, not different ‘Palestines.’ We want that Palestine that came out of the Oslo Accords.” (PNA)
