(L-R): Deputy PM Xavier Bettel; Mohammad Mustafa, President of Palestine; Credit: MAE

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Minister of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Xavier Bettel, made a working visit to Israel and Palestine, first stopping off in Cyprus on Monday 28 October.

During his third trip to the region in less than 12 months, Minister Bettel continued talks with both parties with the aim of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as a lasting political solution to the conflict in the Middle East.

On the Israeli side, Minister Bettel met with Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. On the Palestinian side, Minister Bettel had a working meeting with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa.

During these various discussions, Minister Bettel reiterated, according to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation and Foreign Trade, in the strongest terms, the absolute necessity of 1) establishing an immediate ceasefire and ending the suffering of civilians in Gaza, 2) releasing all hostages held by Hamas, 3) increasing the volume and ensuring the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, 4) supporting the Palestinian Authority, which must be able to use all tax revenues currently blocked by Israel to carry out its reform efforts and, finally, 5) working towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, based on the two-state solution.

Following the adoption by the Israeli Parliament of laws aimed at preventing UNRWA from continuing its operations, a decision that Luxembourg deeply deplores, Minister Bettel visited an UNRWA school in the Amari camp near Ramallah to underline the continued support for UNRWA’s essential and indispensable work – to which there is currently no alternative.

Minister Bettel also had the opportunity to listen to the enlightening testimony of a courageous woman whose family members are still held captive by Hamas, before visiting the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC) NGO to discuss with local farmers the harmful consequences of the violations committed by illegal settlers in the West Bank.

Upon returning from his visit to the region, Minister Bettel said: “The wounds are deep – on both sides – and it will take a lot of time, trust and joint efforts to heal them. Nevertheless, I am convinced that a better future is possible. Because it is necessary - so that both peoples, Palestinians and Israelis, can live in peace and security, side by side, and within their own states. The first decisive step towards this goal is an immediate ceasefire."

(L-R): Deputy PM Xavier Bettel; Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz