We demand our right to establish an independent state – Ambassador of Palestine to Kazakhstan

The entire world is watching the conflict between Israel and the Hamas Palestinian group today. In response to the militants’ actions, Israel officially declared the state of war, besieging the residents of Palestine: with a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip at the moment, with no electricity, food and fuel. Kazinform Agency learned the official position of the Israeli and Palestinian authorities from the two countries’ ambassadors accredited in Kazakhstan. In an interview with Kazinform Agency, Dr. Montaser Abu Zeid, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Kazakhstan says that they demand their legal right to establish an independent state.

Mr. Ambassador, how do you assess the current situation in Palestine in light of recent events and the conflict between Israel and Hamas?

The need to stop the ongoing Israeli occupation against our Palestinian people in all Palestinian territories (the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and the city of Jerusalem), the cessation of aggressive actions of settlers and Israeli occupation forces, the cessation of raids on Islamic and Christian shrines, in particular, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - this is what we have repeatedly called for, demanding our legal right to self-determination and sovereignty, the establishment of our independent state with its capital in East Jerusalem with June 4, 1967 borders.

We emphasize that Israel's refusal to comply with the resolutions of international legitimacy and international law from 1948 till present, as well as the ongoing injustice and oppression suffered by the Palestinian people, push for an explosive situation, the consequences of which no one can prevent. We underscore the need to provide international protection to our defenseless Palestinian people who fell under a bloody Israeli aggression.

What factors, in your opinion, contributed to the aggravation of the situation and provoked displeasure from the side of Hamas? Can you unveil the main reasons for their actions?

We have repeatedly warned about the consequences of blocking the political horizon. We have contacted all regional and international organizations. We informed of recent developments, daily crimes committed and being committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and their shrines, as well as Zionist terrorism represented by Israeli settlers and their crimes against Palestinian civilians and their property.

Despite all the calls that we made and addressed to the international community, it chose not to hear or ignore, which led to the continuation of these crimes against our defenseless Palestinian people. We have repeatedly called on them to assume responsibility for the daily crimes that we see against our people in all the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, and which are growing to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity. They [crimes - edit] have been documented to bring the occupying state to responsibility.

What steps is Palestine taking towards the regulation of this conflict?

Here we would like to point out the efforts made by the Palestinian leadership led by President Mahmoud Abbas in carrying out regional and international actions through contacts with world leaders. The goal is to end the occupation and aggression against our Palestinian people, obliging Israel to implement all resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly.

One of the key goals of Palestine is Independence. What chances do you see in achievement of this goal in the context of the aggravation of the conflict and military operations from the side of Israel?

Israel's refusal to implement the agreements signed and non-compliance with international law resolutions led to the destruction of the peace process, absence of a solution to the Palestinian issue, suffering and wandering throughout 75 years, and the continuation of the double standard policy. The silence by the international community in regards to the criminal and racist actions of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and the ongoing injustice and oppression suffered by the Palestinian people are the cause of an explosive situation and lack of peace. The peace process requires justice, freedom and independence for our Palestinian nation, the return of refugees and full-fledged implementation of resolutions, as per international legitimacy.

Are there any negotiations between Palestine and Israel aimed at the achievement of peace agreements, with the consideration of humanitarian aspects of this situation and sufferings of innocent people?

30 years after the signing of the Oslo Accords in the White House in Washington D.C., which was later terminated by Israel, we still hope that the international community will be able to implement the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which call for cessation of Israeli occupation on our Palestinian land, creation of an independent and fully sovereign State of Palestine with the capital in East Jerusalem with June 4, 1967 borders, and solution of the problems of Palestinian refugees under the resolutions of international legitimacy, namely, the UN General Assembly resolution No194 and the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council. All this confirms illegal nature of Israeli occupation and settlement activities, in particular, as per the resolutions No2334 as of 2016 and the Arab Peace Initiative backed by the Arab countries in Beirut in 2002.

Israel suspended the supply of fuel and other goods to the Gaza Strip. What is the current state of affairs in the Gaza Strip and how does it affect civilians?

The situation is now very tragic and falls under the category of war crimes punishable by the international and humanitarian law. Israeli occupation forces cut off electricity, water in the Gaza Strip and blocked the supply of essential goods.

How many people need help and resettlement opportunities in other countries as refugees?

We, like all the Palestinian people, are faithful to our land and will never leave it.

Thank you for the interview!