Betting to the Palestine question: « I know that I am being criticized »
« I know that I am being criticized that we did not recognize Palestine last year, » said Foreign Minister Xavier begging (Dp) at a press conference on War in Palestine on Friday.
Luxembourg’s position remains the same
« I have said it many times and repeat it again today: what the Israeli army does in the Gaza Strip has long been no longer self-defense, » says the DP politician. “As long as there is no peace in Palestine, there will be no security in Israel give. »
Opposition increases pressure on the government in Gazafrage
The position of the Luxembourg government compared to the conflict in Gaza strip has not changed. The Grand Duchy continues to stand for a two-state solution and would like to operate « no symbol policy ». The foreign minister thus refers to the decision not to recognize Palestine alone. « Palestine’s symbolic recognition does nothing, » says Bettel.
As long as there is no peace in Palestine, there will be no security in Israel.
Xavier Bettel (DP)
Foreign Minister of Luxembourg
« I have to say nothing has changed, » said the Foreign Minister with a view to the recognition of Palestine through Slovenia, Norway, Ireland and Spain last year.
UN special conference on the two-state solution in June
Luxembourg Palestine will not be recognized alone, but in June it could join an initiative of France and Saudi Arabia.
At a special conference of the United Nations, the two-state solution is to be discussed in New York. There, a “package” for the situation in the Gaza Strip as well as for the conflict between Israel and the Hamas be created. Foreign Minister Bettel will also take part in the conference.
Agreement between Israel and the EU ensures controversy among deputies
The DP politician announced at the press conference on Friday morning that he wanted to organize a chamber debate before the conference. In this, the Luxembourg contribution to this package is to be determined. There is still no details of how or when this debate is to take place.
Bettel hopes that more states will decide in New York to recognize Palestine, « so it has an impact ». He also hopes that the conference emerges plans for an armistice between Israel and Hamas as well as for the resumption of humanitarian help for the Gaza Strip.
Since March 2, there has been no humanitarian aid for Gaza because Israel blocks it.
Also prime minister Luc Frieden expressed himself on Friday evening on X. together with counterparts from Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, he demanded an end to violence in Gaza. He also reminds of the universal validity of international law – be it in Gaza, Ukraine or elsewhere: « The protection of civilians must be a top priority. »
Is Xavier Bettel clearly enough in the Middle East conflict?
Last October, the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, had spoken out for a ban on the Unrwa. Since then, this has no longer got humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. « It must be clear to everyone that the Unrwa is not replaceable. There is no alternative, » said Bettel at the press conference on Friday.
Only after the conference in New York would Luxembourg position itself on the question of the recognition of Palestine.
