Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, spoke out regarding Israel’s action to ban Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Zakharova stated that Russia was concerned regarding the situation in Jerusalem because Muslims experienced oppression and discrimination.
Zakharova said the issue of the status of Jerusalem and the city’s holy sites must be resolved as part of a comprehensive diplomatic process regarding an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.
“The Russian Federation began collective work today to create the necessary conditions for a political settlement of this long-standing crisis based on the principle of two states, Palestine and Israel, living in peace and security,” Zakharova said.
Within the framework of a comprehensive diplomatic process, solutions to fundamental problems must be found, including the issue of the status of Jerusalem and the city’s holy places.
Zakharova also said the world was waiting for practical steps to end the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.
Unfortunately, he said, the United States (US) often vetoes relevant draft resolutions at the UN Security Council which are seen as being able to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Also read: Russia: The establishment of the State of Israel means that Palestine will never be at peace
“I would like to remind that (following vetoing the Russian draft following October 7), the US delegation three times vetoed at the UN Security Council initiatives aimed at calling for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities,” Zakharova said.
He stressed that following the ceasefire, the political process must begin. This is because the history of conflict shows that without bridging the gap, both parties will violate all agreements.
He opposed efforts to return things to the way they were before October 7 and said it would not produce the necessary results. According to him, only a two-state solution can end the conflict.
Israel’s war has forced 85% of Gaza’s population to flee amid a blockade that has crippled most food, clean water and medicine. Meanwhile, 60% of the infrastructure in the enclave has been damaged or destroyed.
Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim decree in January ordered Tel Aviv to halt genocidal acts and take action to ensure that humanitarian aid is provided to civilians in the Gaza Strip. (Anadolu/Z-1)
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