Today, Wednesday, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Muhammad Mustafa, renewed the Palestinian leadership’s welcome of Spain’s announcement of its recognition of the Palestinian state, as a step that enhances the chances of reaching lasting peace.

He said in a press conference held in Madrid, following a meeting in which the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, hosted the delegation of the ministerial committee in charge of the joint extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit, regarding the aggression on the Gaza Strip, that on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, the government and the Palestinian people, we welcome Spain’s recognition of a state. Palestine, this recognition strengthens our resolve to continue the struggle for a just and lasting peace.

Mustafa stressed that the massacres committed by the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah constitute a test for the international community, and the Palestinian people in Rafah and the rest of Palestine must not be let down.

In turn, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albarez called on Israel to stop the aggression against Rafah, which would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, calling on it to immediately comply with the orders of the International Court of Justice and adhere to international law.

He reiterated the importance of declaring an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and allowing unconditional entry of all necessary humanitarian aid.

Albarez stressed that the historic decision taken by his country to recognize the State of Palestine came within the framework of ensuring justice for the Palestinian people, affirming their right to a future full of hope, and promoting the two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve peace and prosperity in the Middle East.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain expressed his hope that more countries would follow his country's example in recognizing the State of Palestine, affirming its commitment to achieving peace.

He pointed out that Madrid shares with all Arab and international parties the goal of reaching a two-state solution, establishing peace, and putting an end to decades of unbearable suffering.

He said: "Our commitment to immediately implement the two-state solution allows us to look forward to a future in which peace prevails in the Middle East, and puts an end to the other party's deprivation of its right to exist, which has led to cycles of violence that have extended for decades."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan, stressed that Spain, Norway and Ireland made the correct decision to recognize the State of Palestine at the right time, especially since they stood on the right side of history and justice, and gave hope in dark moments.

He said: "This is an appropriate moment for there to be a beacon of hope, and for that we thank you and hope that other countries will follow in your footsteps, because the only path to peace passes through the two-state solution and through the establishment of a Palestinian state that lives in peace and harmony with all neighboring countries."

Bin Farhan stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the flow of humanitarian aid.

For his part, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Safadi, stressed that Spain, in its recognition of the State of Palestine, stood by justice, international law, and the right of the Palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity, and it is a historic day for peace.

He added that recognition of the State of Palestine expresses Spain's determination to protect international law and achieve peace in the Middle East region, ensuring stability for all the peoples of the region, and he urged all countries, especially the European partners, to take a similar decision.

Al-Safadi stressed that the future of the region must not remain hostage in the hands of a radical, extremist Israeli government that continues its attacks on the Palestinians, ignoring international law and the desire of the international community, and violating the rulings of the International Court of Justice, Security Council resolutions, and common humanitarian values.

He stressed that the massacres that burned children alive in Rafah demonstrate the barbarity of the Israeli aggression, and necessitate the international community to intervene to stop the violence and save the region and its future from the policies and actions of the Israeli government.

He condemned the offensive statements made against Spain by Israeli officials, stressing that there should be no room in international relations for any aggression against countries, against international institutions and courts, and everyone should reject this intimidation and bullying.

He continued: "We will continue to work to end the hostilities and implement the two-state solution in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions, as the only path towards a just and sustainable peace that we all want and deserve. The assault on Gaza must stop immediately. The Palestinians deserve freedom and justice, and the region deserves peace."

Al-Safadi stressed that when a free, independent, and sovereign Palestinian state is established, with East Jerusalem as its capital, only then will the region experience peace.

For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the decision to recognize the State of Palestine, taken by Spain and other European countries, constitutes a major contribution to security and peace.

He called on the rest of the European Union member states to recognize Palestine and to follow the exemplary step taken by Spain, stressing that work will continue tirelessly to implement the two-state solution and for regional security and peace.

The committee issued a joint press statement in which it said:

“The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, received today, Wednesday, in the capital, Madrid, the delegation of the ministerial committee assigned by the joint extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit regarding developments in the Gaza Strip, headed by the Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and in the presence of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Palestine and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Mustafa, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ayman Safadi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, and the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha.

At the beginning of the reception, the members of the Ministerial Committee appreciated the Kingdom of Spain’s recognition of the sister State of Palestine, and their commitment to continuing to provide all means of support to activate recognition of the Palestinian State in a way that ensures the fulfillment of the entitlements of the Palestinian people and serves security and peace in the region and the world in the face of extremism, the spread of violence, and continued violations of international law.

The meeting reviewed the efforts of the Ministerial Committee supporting the issue of recognition of the Palestinian state, and the urgent need to take the necessary steps to implement the two-state solution by establishing the Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in light of the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international initiatives.

The meeting discussed the efforts made to stop the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the city of Rafah and its surroundings, and the importance of an immediate ceasefire, and the introduction of sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of the Strip.

The meeting touched on mechanisms for addressing the humanitarian catastrophe facing the Gaza Strip, and stopping all unilateral, illegal and illegitimate Israeli measures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in a way that achieves just and comprehensive peace, preserves the rights of the Palestinian people, and achieves security in the region.