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SvennoJ 7 hours ago
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It’s time to address ‘what will happen after ceasefire’ in Gaza: Norway’s top diplomat

Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has delivered remarks in Oslo on a global diplomatic initiative towards Palestinian statehood and institution-building.

“We are meeting a pivotal time,” Eide said. “There are very serious signs of a possibly imminent ceasefire in Gaza. We will not celebrate before it’s there, but the messages we are getting from all sides are way more concrete and promising than what we’ve heard before.”

However, “a ceasefire is not a solution”, he said.

“A ceasefire means a very welcome release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of troops … This would be very good, but it’s not a solution because there’s no way to turn the clock back to October 6, 2023,” Eide said.

He added, “We need to recognise that it is really the moment to dive into what will happen next.”


Atrocities against Palestinians ‘could and should have been prevented’: Palestinian PM

Speaking in Oslo at a meeting on the future of Palestinian statehood, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa says that recognising the State of Palestine is “a courageous practical step that brings us closer to the realisation of a just and lasting peace” in the Middle East.

He also said the atrocities being carried out against Palestinians was “an international failure to protect fundamental rights”. “They could and should have been prevented,” Mustafa added.

Mustafa also made these key points:

  • “Urgent unified international actions” are needed to protect the work of UNRWA, UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, which faces an Israeli ban coming into force in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
  • “The time has come to take practical measures that advance the two-state solution, address the root causes of this conflict and directly confront the legality of the Israeli occupation and its ongoing violation of international law.”
  • “While we are waiting for a ceasefire [in Gaza], it is important to stress that it will not be acceptable for any entity to govern Gaza but the legitimate Palestinian leadership and the government of the State of Palestine.”


Mustafa outlines Palestinian Authority’s post-war vision for reconstruction, growth

Mustafa outlined four of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA’s) main objectives to unify and rebuild Palestine.

  • Following a ceasefire in Gaza, the Palestinian government in Ramallah “is ready to assume full responsibility for Gaza and work with our local, regional and international partners in integrating governments across all Palestinian territories”, the Palestinian prime minister said.
  • To ensure principles of transparency, accountability, inclusivity and the rule of law. The PA will “continue to engage with civil society, local communities and international partners to build a governance framework that reflects aspirations of Palestinian people”, he said.
  • To lead in partnership with the international community and “by addressing urgent humanitarian needs, restoring critical infrastructure and mobilising resources for long-term rebuilding”.
  • Implement strategic development initiatives to revitalise the Palestinian economy, create jobs and promote inclusive, sustainable growth, he added.


Forging ‘brighter future’ for Palestine is ‘our shared responsibility’: Mustafa

Mustafa expressed hope that after decades of occupation, Palestine and the region will see a “brighter future”.

“It is our shared responsibility to help realise that hope,” he said in closing remarks. “Together, we can shape a future where justice triumphs over oppression, where peace supplants violence and where the Palestinian people and indeed all people across the region live in freedom and dignity,” Mustafa said.

“Let us rise to this challenge with courage, compassion and unwavering resolve.”


Symbolism at Oslo conference ‘difficult to translate to reality on the ground’

About 85 countries are coming together to discuss the two-state solution in Oslo’s City Hall.

This is where in 1994, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to [Israel’s] Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat for their efforts in trying to achieve peace in the Middle East.

Just before the opening statements, I asked the Norwegian foreign minister [Espen Barth Eide] and Palestinian prime minister [Mohammad Mustafa], how you can turn a very important dialogue into a change on the ground.

They both said it had to do with the pressure of the international community, that the cycle of violence will continue if the underlying issues are not addressed – the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and the Palestinian people.

The symbolism here is that the dialogue continues, that you have countries from across continents coming together to discuss and to say that this is important – a solution needs to be made to the conflict and that is for Israel and Palestinians to live peacefully side by side.

Of course, this symbolism is difficult to translate to reality on the ground.