Holland condemns Israeli escalations in East Jerusalem

The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen stressed her country’s rejection of the recent Israeli escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Speaking during her meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, the minister stressed the need for both sides to stop the escalation in tensions and to return to negotiations in order to end the conflict and establish a Palestinian state in accordance with the principles of the two-state solution.

She stressed her country’s continued provision of financial support, pointing to the need to stop the escalation between the two sides in order to facilitate the implementation of projects which the Netherlands has committed to.

She stressed her country’s commitment to supporting the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and to enable the unity government to facilitate reconstruction and the provision of services to citizens in Gaza.

Al-Maliki briefed Ploumen on the ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinian people and the violation of international law, its settlement policy and the theft of land and attacks, the racist settler attacks, and especially what he city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque are being subjected to.

He pointed out during the meeting that by insisting on the exercise of such violations, Israel is defying the international community and international law and the terms of the peace process in accordance with the principles of two-state solution.

Adding that the lack of accountability by the international community and its official institutions makes Israel believe it is above the law.

He thanked the Dutch minister for supporting the peace process, the position of the Netherlands on the basis of a two-state solution, the continued support of the Dutch government for Palestinian institutions, in addition to their commitment to provide financial support for the reconstruction of Gaza.