Norway reiterates call for swift ‘ceasefire, humanitarian aid, negotiations for two-state solution’

Norway reiterates call for swift ‘ceasefire, humanitarian aid, negotiations for two-state solution’

the United Nations uh is calling for an independent inquiry after uh Sunday’s killing of 31 at an a distribution point in Gaza Israeli troops opening fire again this uh uh Monday near another distribution point Uh the IDF claims it fired what it calls warning shots Uh more on that story Surgeons at the NASA Medical Hospital in Hanunas in Gaza spent Sunday operating on people injured after shooting erupted near an aid distribution hub earlier in the day Health officials and witnesses said dozens of people were killed and scores wounded as they made their way to the hub in the southern city of Rafa All of the injured were of different ages The majority were young men in civilian clothing and included children and women They were in the Rafa area to receive humanitarian aid from the American company operating in the area NOS’s and international organizations had warned that the current extremely limited distribution scheme violated humanitarian rules and was dangerous From numerous distribution sites set up months ago the Palestinian enclave is down to three in the south and in the center The stated goal is to keep Hamas from seizing aid The Israeli military denies what it says of false reports about the violence at the Rafford distribution center An IDF spokesperson said every incident at food distribution sites would be investigated Hamas is doing his best is almost to stop us from doing so He’s spreading rumors fake news He’s trying uh bluntly and violently to stop the people of Gaza from reaching those distribution centers We will investigate each and one of those incidents and each and one of those allegations The USIsrael security group the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation issued security camera footage of Palestinians arriving at the distribution hub It says it handed out 16 lorry loads of aid early Sunday without incident and dismissed what it described as false reporting about deaths mass injuries and chaos And for more we’re joined by Andreas Kravik who he’s Norway’s deputy foreign minister Thank you for speaking with us here on France 24 What do you make of this stepped up bombing campaign well I think the situation now in Gaza is catastrophic We have more than 54,000 dead 17,000 children We have hospitals schools are in ruins We have a lack of humanitarian supplies We have a lack of respect for fundamental norms of uh international humanitarian law So we have said now repeatedly that there needs to be a ceasefire We need to get humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip and we need to start uh negotiations for the purposes of agreeing on a two-state solution So that has been the Norwegian position for some time and we are continuing to work with partners including France in order to bring that about Why is this bombing campaign happening well I think Israel and the cabinet the Israeli cabinet have made it clear that they want to see the total elimination of Hamas and um it seems that they are not satisfied with the current reality on the Gaza Strip Whereas I think for for us what’s important now is to again uh reach a ceasefire so that we can reduce the human suffering that we’re seeing which is really unconscionable on the gossip and and there are negotiations of course ongoing and we’ll see what happens and we’re encouraged by the fact that the US have put forward now u a proposal which is on the table Uh so we’ll see if Hamas and Israel are able to coales around that proposal and that’s something that we have made clear to both parties that we would strongly recommend Norway has historically played a role when it comes to humanitarian aid through the Norwegian Refugee Council Um right now what do you make of this Israel and USbacked organization that’s wants to take over the distribution of aid yeah this Gaza Humanitarian Foundation which I believe is the title is um clearly not in line with basic humanitarian principles And what’s especially discouraging is the fact that we have 9,000 trucks right outside of the border of Gaza um ready to go in and provide humanitarian supplies but they are not given access Instead we have this uh new foundation that has been set up which is not equipped to provide humanitarian relief to the Palestinians which is operating in violation of again basic humanitarian standards So we have said that it’s not um in line with um our priorities our our principles to work with this foundation and and the same position has been taken by the UN and most other uh humanitarian organizations So we are encouraging Israel to go back to working with the UN and give the UN and other organizations an opportunity to provide relief to the Palestinians How much dialogue do you have with Israel now that you’ve recognized a Palestinian state well in fact we just visited Israel I I was there with the foreign minister last week I spent three days in Israel I met with the president the foreign minister and other representatives of the Israeli government And how would you characterize those discussions well I think those conversations were uh factual They were u they were straightforward We were clear about two things One that we are a friend of Israel We’re a friend of the Israeli people but we take strong issue with the military campaign on the Gaza Strip And also the settlements that are being expanded on the West Bank We think this is uh a violation of international law and also we think it’s not in line with uh with Israel security priorities Andreas Kravik you’re in Paris maybe two weeks before France recognizes a Palestinian state Emanuel Mron will be in New York for a UN conference co-hosted with Saudi Arabia He Paris has hinted it could recognize a Palestinian state What’s Ozel’s experience is it worth it at this point were you are you happy with the decision you made yeah I think it’s worth it and we are very appreciative of everything that we’re seeing now from from France and President Mcron in terms of leaning forward and setting a clear direction um to uh to what needs to be done We are appreciative of the the conference that will be organized now in in New York in a couple of weeks We have been tasked with coordinating one of the meetings on the Palestinian economy with with Japan That’s something that we’re preparing for We would strongly encourage France to recognize Palestine as a separate state I think it’s a um it’s a clear response to those elements of both sides Hamas and the current Israeli government who is who are not working towards a two-state solution Um so we need to give momentum to those on both sides who are in fact trying to bring that two-state solution For now it’s it’s mostly symbolic Does it matter that regulation has it has it mattered i think it matters I think if the international community can make a strong statement uh in favor of the two-state solution providing u support to those elements of both sides of the conflict who want to see a two-state solution I think that’s important and France with his credibility legitimacy as a permanent member of the security council for France to take that step would be I think imperative in moving this forward uh you’ve insisted on this conversation on the term two-state solution and I know that Norway with the 199293 Oslo Accords You you were one of the facilitators for what was uh meant to be a pathway to peace Uh at this point in time uh is there any hope for some kind of a grand bargain i think there is I think uh it’s the only viable way out of this even if Benjamin Netanyahu stays But we’ll we’ll see how that goes Hopefully the US and and France and Norway and other countries can be sufficiently convincing um and and moving that uh conclusion forward I think it’s the current trajectory is just catastrophic not just for Palestine but also for for Israel So our message is clear the only reason or the only way for Israel to have security and international legitimacy is by moving forward on the basis of a two-state solution And that has been our message now for several years and we think that the time is ripe We have lots of countries now in the region saying very clearly that they’re ready to recognize Israel as a partner as a state in the region but that needs to be based on some sort of recognition of the Palestinian plight and the Palestinian statethood So I think there is a there is a potential compromise there But of course it requires will uh a political will on both sides and that’s what we’re trying to bring about The Oslo Accords were torpedoed by radicals on both sides Right Are you approaching it this time differently what what what is the thing you can do differently this time well that’s exactly right And that’s also why it’s so important for us to work with those more moderate elements within Israel and within the Palestinian community in order to give them uh leverage in their respective communities How do you give them leverage i think one of the ways uh is to recognize pal Palestine is a state because you’re then stating unequivocally that this is what we’re trying to to bring about I think also by trying to help the Palestinian Authority reform itself so that it can lead on the basis of international standards um that we can stand together with them and also of our uh with our Israeli counterparts in terms of moving this forward based on international principles This is the only way for us to achieve an outcome which is based on two states living by side by side in peace But of course I recognize that it’s it’s difficult but there are no other alternatives this the two-state solution is the only alternative and that’s the basis for our approach to the this conflict Have you been speaking with the United States and with their mediator Steve Witkov yes multiple times The prime minister is in regular contact with Witkov and we have made it clear to Witkov that we think this is uh the only way forward Um and also this would be beneficial for the United States Um I think uh the US Israel and others are hurting because of this conflict not being put to an end So it would be uh beneficial for all parties I think to have this come to a conclusion on the basis of two states But I recognize that it’s it’s difficult but I think we need to look at all other options and they are all inadequate Uh so the two-state solution is the only outcome that could provide stability in the region and that’s why it’s so important for us to work with the US and of course Israel and Palestine and other partners in order to bring that about What sense you getting from the French when it comes to the European Union which is uh a major donor for the Palestinian territories the EU which has been criticized for not using its leverage enough Yeah I think there it’s no secret that the EU is divided on this issue You have some countries identifying very much with the Palestinian cause Others are more skeptical in terms of recognizing Palestine as a separate state for instance So it’s been difficult for the youth to co coales around distinct policies But I think there’s a change now I I I think there are issues being discussed now that were not discussed previously We saw Canada the UK and France indicating that they could implement sanctions against Israel unless Israel take a different uh approach to uh the hostilities and the humanitarian blockade that they have initiated So there are uh things changing um and that’s why we think it would be so instrumental not just for the conflict but also for Europe if France were to step forward and recognize Palestine as a sovereign state When you talk about sanctions specifically where’s the lowhanging fruit here well we we have heard mixed signals I think the UK is has also indicated that they could be contemplating asset freeze They could be contemplating travel restrictions I mean there are all kinds of sanctions that could be initiated But of course we have also stated that this could be something that we could also align ourselves with but that need that needs to be part of a a broader coalition of states But our priority at the current moment is to facilitate help facilitate a ceasefire help facilitate a uh pathway towards negotiations that could ultimately lead to the two-state solution um sanctions of course is not something that we want to enter into but it’s also important that unless Israel is accommodative to these um to international law and to respecting international law the international community has a responsibility to provide pressure uh on Israel and sanctions is one tool in the toolbox that we’re that we’re contemplating and Kravik many thanks for being with us here on France 24 appreciate it thank you stay with us there’s much more to come more news plus the today’s business and in sports a French surprise at the French Open tennis tournaments Tell you all about it [Music]

With Gaza on the brink of famine and Israel threatening deeper entrenchment in the occupied West Bank, international calls for restraint and a political solution grow more urgent. All the while, the UN warns of catastrophic humanitarian collapse and global powers, including Norway, press for a two-state solution. Are there any prospects whatsoever for diplomacy, accountability, and lasting peace in a region once again at the breaking point? François Picard is pleased to welcome Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik where he will also assess a humanitarian catastrophe spiralling endlessly out of control.
#IsraelHamasWar #GazaWar #TwoStateSolution

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