Palestine has called for stronger international action to end the Israeli occupation and ensure that international law is applied equally, as the country’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Varsen Aghaabekian Shahin, praised Ghana for its continued solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Speaking in an interview with Pan African Television’s Talk Time, Dr. Shahin said the international community must move beyond statements and resolutions and introduce effective accountability measures against violations of international law.
She said Palestine’s exclusion from physical participation in the recent United Nations General Assembly was “most unfortunate,” arguing that Palestine has a right to be represented at the UN. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Assembly through a video conference after being denied a US visa.
According to Dr. Shahin, the growing international recognition of the State of Palestine represents an important development in the struggle for Palestinian statehood. She said recognition strengthens Palestine’s legal position internationally and sends a message that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory cannot continue indefinitely.
Dr. Shahin also welcomed measures by some European countries restricting products originating from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
“This is a step in the right direction,” she said, arguing that settlements established in occupied territory and economic activity associated with them should be subject to measures consistent with international law. She urged other countries to adopt similar measures, saying that action on the ground was necessary to deter further expansion of the occupation.
Jerusalem and the two-state question
The Palestinian Foreign Minister warned that continued Israeli settlement expansion is undermining prospects for a viable Palestinian state. She described East Jerusalem as an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967 and criticised Israeli policies aimed at changing the demographic, geographic and cultural character of the city.
According to Dr. Shahin, the status of Jerusalem cannot be separated from the broader question of Palestinian statehood. She also warned that continued settlement expansion could make the viability of a two-state solution increasingly difficult.
Gaza remains in crisis
Dr. Shahin said the situation in Gaza remained “extremely grave,” despite international efforts to establish a peace framework. She called for a permanent ceasefire, increased humanitarian assistance and movement toward the next stages of the peace process.
“The people need immediate recovery and rehabilitation measures,” she said, stressing that Palestinians in Gaza continue to face killing, injuries, destruction and inadequate humanitarian assistance. She called for clear timelines and accountability mechanisms to ensure that all parties comply with the terms of the peace process.
Call for international accountability
A central theme of the interview was the need for international judicial and political institutions to enforce international law consistently. Dr. Shahin argued that repeated UN resolutions would have limited impact without mechanisms to ensure compliance. “Today we need accountability measures,” she said, arguing that the Palestinian question has become a test of whether international law can be applied universally.
She also criticised discriminatory legislation in Israel, particularly measures that she said disproportionately target Palestinians, and called for such laws to be reversed.
Palestine praises Ghana
Dr. Shahin placed particular emphasis on Palestine’s historical and political relationship with Africa.
She said Palestinians and Africans share a history of confronting colonialism and expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown by African countries.
She specifically praised Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama for his statements at the United Nations General Assembly in support of Palestinian rights and an end to the occupation.
“I think President made very courageous statements,” Dr. Shahin said, describing Ghana’s position as consistent with the need to end colonialism and occupation.
She also praised the broader solidarity of the Ghanaian people with Palestine.
Dr. Shahin referred to an image circulating on social media showing a Palestinian child holding both the Ghanaian and Palestinian flags while sitting among the rubble in Gaza. She said the image reflected Palestinians’ appreciation for Ghana’s solidarity, humanitarian assistance and calls for an end to the occupation and the violence in Gaza.
“Please keep the course and continue supporting Palestine,” she told the Ghanaian people.
Hope for a sovereign Palestine
Concluding the interview, Dr. Shahin said Palestine’s ultimate objective remained an end to the occupation and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.
She said Palestinians deserved the opportunity to rebuild their lives after decades of conflict and occupation.
“My hopes have and will continue to be an end of occupation, a sovereign Palestinian state where we can live and breathe and heal our wounds,” she said.
She expressed confidence that Palestinian statehood would ultimately be achieved, saying: “I believe deep in my heart that that day will come, and it will come sooner than later.”
The interview comes amid continued international debate over Palestinian statehood, the future of Gaza, Israeli settlements and the role of international institutions in resolving the conflict.
Source: Pan African TV | Talk Time with Kwesi Pratt Jnr. Full interview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bZPxqhZOL_QdhW_IqjHjo7Lx2WhpOfsT/view?usp=sharing