Israel Palestine Conflict Oct 2023 Briefings

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gives a speech at the Cairo Summit for Peace

CAIRO – 21 October 2023: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned against attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their lands to other countries, saying “We totally reject the deportation of Palestinians from Gaza. We will not leave.”

In his speech at the Cairo Summit for Peace, Abbas called for implementing the two-state solution and resolving the refugee issue based on United Nations Resolution 194, asking for an immediate end to the Israeli aggression and for the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow food, medicine and other necessities into besieged Gaza Strip.

“We reiterate our complete rejection of the killing of civilians on both sides, and demand the release of all civilians, prisoners, and detainees. We affirm that we are committed to international legitimacy, the signed agreements, and the adoption of political and legal methods to achieve our national goals. These are the policies of the State of Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” he added.

 

Speech of Israel PM Netanyahu in Knesset on oct 12, 2023

From the depths of our hearts, we embrace the families who have lost loved ones, the families of the victims, of the fallen, of the murdered and, of course, the families of the abducted. The pain is so great that sometimes it seems that it is too heavy to bear and the grief is also very heavy. It is felt in every home. To all of the families, we send a loving embrace and heartfelt support. I receive regular updates from the person I appointed to be responsible on the issue of the abductees, Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Gal Hirsch, who is in constant contact with the families. We will not slacken in the effort to bring them back home. At the same time, we are united in the same great determination against the abhorrent and murderous enemy.

Our marvelous soldiers, conscripts and reservists, came out in vast numbers, many from overseas in packed planes because they understand that this is the moment of truth. This truly is a war over home and it must end with one thing – complete victory and the smashing and elimination of Hamas.

 our people is among the world's oldest. During the thousands of years of our existence we have met countless challenges. We have known suffering. We have known pain more than any other people but we never surrendered. Strength of will and endurance are synonyms for the Jewish people. We will also meet this current test, even though it is almost too difficult to bear. The Shabbat of the 7th of October will be etched as a cursed and dark day in the annals of nations. For us, the Jewish people, it is the most harrowing day since the Holocaust

We have a strong country, a strong government, a strong people and a strong military with a sense of mission and a clinging to that mission, both on the frontline and on the home front. We have faith in our path. We will find these accursed murders, these human beasts, with full force and we will defeat them. We will wipe them off the face of the earth. The time will come when we will rebuild the destroyed communities. We will rebuild the area around the Gaza Strip and we will restore it as a flourishing and prosperous area.

USA State Department Briefings Oct 19, 2023 by Mathew Miller

Secretary Blinken returned to Washington early this morning from an eight-day trip through the Middle East, where he met on multiple occasions with senior officials from the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as leaders in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. Over the course of his trip, he made a number of things clear: that the United States strongly supports Israel and its right to defend itself from Hamas, and that support is unwavering; that the United States supports the aspirations of the Palestinian people, who are the victims of Hamas’s acts of terrorism; and that we believe it is important to establish mechanisms to keep civilians in Gaza out of harm’s way and provide them with humanitarian assistance.

Over the course of his meetings, the Secretary pressed these two points, along with the need to secure the release of hostages and prevent the conflict from widening, to every official he met. And when he returned to Israel on Monday after his meetings with officials from other governments, he was able to deliver these messages not just on behalf of the United States but also on behalf of others in the region who agree that Israel has the right to defend itself, but also want to see innocent civilians protected.

 

India Ministry of External Affairs Brief Oct 12 by Shri Arindam Bagchi,

How do we see the situation on Palestine or our position on that? Our policy in this regard has been long-standing and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders side by side at peace with Israel. And I think that position remains the same.

There were some queries about how do we see the developments that are happening, including the violence that's taken place, as well as did Prime Minister raise some issues. I think Prime Minister's conversation or his comments stand on their own. And I think they do not require any clarification. On Palestine, as I mentioned, we have said our position…on what is our long-standing position. The only element that I would like to add is that there is...regarding particularly the humanitarian situation or the developments, you said, I think, restraint, Devirupa, you had asked. And Rishabh, I think you had asked about whether the intervention, I don't know what you meant by intervention. As I said, our focus is to assist our citizens. But there is an universal obligation, I think, to observe international humanitarian law. There is also a global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. And I think that accurately sums up how we look at this position.

..We do believe there is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law. And there is also a global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. I think that addresses your query. I don't want to repeat it again

 

China Briefing - Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on October 9, 2023

China is closely following the escalating conflict between Palestine and Israel. We’re deeply saddened by the civilian casualties and oppose and condemn acts that harm civilians. We oppose moves that escalate the conflict and destabilize the region and hope fighting will stop and peace will return soon. The international community needs to play an effective role to jointly help cool down the situation.

To end the cycle of conflict between Palestine and Israel, it is essential to restart the peace talks, implement the two-state solution and settle the Palestinian question fully and properly through political means at an early date so as to take care of each party’s legitimate concerns. China will continue to work relentlessly with the international community towards this end.

We oppose and condemn acts harming civilians. The priority now is to end hostilities and restore peace as soon as possible and work together to deescalate the situation.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has always been on the side of equity and justice. As a friend to both Israel and Palestine, what we hope to see is the two countries living together in peace and enjoying security and growth together. The key to achieving that lies in the realization of the two-state solution and establishment of an independent State of Palestine.

 China believes that dialogue and negotiation is the fundamental way out. We call on all parties to stop the fighting immediately to avoid further escalation and deterioration of the situation.

Violence for violence is not the answer. The international community needs to act with greater urgency, step up input into the Palestinian question, facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and find a way to bring about enduring peace. China will continue to work relentlessly with the international community towards that end.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has always been on the side of equity and justice. As a friend to both Israel and Palestine, what we hope to see is the two countries living together in peace. The key to achieving that lies in the realization of the two-state solution. The most important thing at the moment is to stop the fighting as soon as possible, protect civilians and avoid further escalation.