Israeli right-wingers disrupt conference on Palestinian statehood
Hardline lawmakers attempted to obstruct a meeting in the Knesset discussing the recognition of a Palestinian state.
The conference was initiated by Aida Touma-Sliman, a Knesset member from the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, known as Hadash. “Right-wing extremist lawmakers attacked the conference,” it said in a statement, sharing a video showing politicians interrupting the proceedings by shouting.
Among the Israeli lawmakers who sought to obstruct the event was Tally Gotliv, a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party, and Zvi Sukkot from Finance Minister Smotrich’s Religious Zionism Party.
“Despite the feeling we are living in the worst period in the region’s history, and confidence in our ability to progress towards hope and peace is at its lowest, history teaches us the most difficult wars and conflicts have ended through arduous negotiation efforts that led to political agreements,” Touma-Sliman said a speech to the conference.
“This path must also be our choice.”
No ‘concrete approvals’ yet on current ceasefire proposal, says Qatar
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry says it hasn’t received any firm agreements from Israel or Hamas on the Gaza ceasefire plan put forward by the US President Joe Biden last week.
However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari says he’s positive negotiations are moving in the right direction.
EU’s Borrell urges Israel, Hamas to accept ‘three-phase’ ceasefire proposal
The European Union fully supports the “comprehensive roadmap” announced by US President Joe Biden that would lead to an “enduring ceasefire in Gaza”, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
“Too many civilian lives have been lost. An enduring ceasefire is urgently needed,” Borrell said in a statement, adding that a ceasefire would ensure the protection of civilians, the release of captives held in Gaza, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
“The EU urges both parties to accept and fulfil the three-phase proposal and stands ready to contribute to reviving a political process for a lasting and sustainable peace, based on the two-state solution, and to support a coordinated international effort to rebuild Gaza,” he said.
The EU gives its full support to the comprehensive roadmap presented by @POTUS, that would lead to an enduring ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and a surge of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
We urge both parties to accept the proposal. https://t.co/AyK35lyo9O
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 4, 2024
