Pakistan renews call for establishing Palestine state with Jerusalem as capital

A statement by the FO supports the lasting solution of the Palestinian issue through dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday reiterated to continue supporting a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian issue, through dialogue and negotiations.

The statement comes a day after US President Donald Trump proposed creating a Palestinian state as part of a Middle East peace plan, which drew Palestinian condemnation for imposing strict conditions and agreeing to let Israel maintain control of long-contested West Bank settlements.



“We have seen the announcement of a peace plan for the Middle East by the United States. Pakistan has consistently supported a two-state solution, as enshrined in the relevant Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office

“Pakistan continues to support a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian issue, through dialogue and negotiations, that leads to the realisation of the legitimate rights of Palestinians, including the right of self-determination.”

The FO statement added, “We renew our call for the establishment of a viable, independent and the contiguous State of Palestine, on the basis of internationally-agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with al Quds al Sharif as its capital.”

Middle East peace plan

On January 28, Trump announced his plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace at a White House event with embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing at his side. It included what Trump called a four-year freeze by Israel on new settlement activity.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, mocked what Trump has called the “deal of the century,” describing it as the “slap of the century.”

Trump set in motion a four-year timeline for Palestinians to agree to a security arrangement with Israel, halt attacks by the Islamist militant group Hamas and set up governing institutions in order to establish a Palestinian state with its capital in Abu Dis, a part of east Jerusalem.

That too poses a potential problem for Palestinians.

Abu Dis is a West Bank village just east of the Israeli municipal boundaries for Jerusalem. Palestinians living in Abu Dis are cut off by a high concrete Israeli security wall and checkpoints.

Palestinians rejected any proposal that does not envision a Palestinian capital in all of East Jerusalem, which includes the walled Old City.

Trump’s plan said the barrier should serve as a border between the capitals of the two states, adding that Jerusalem should remain Israel’s undivided, sovereign capital.

Pakistani community observes Palestine solidarity day in Abu Dhabi

“My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, a realistic two-state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israel’s security,” Trump claimed.

Abbas, speaking to reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said: “Jerusalem is not for sale, our rights are not for sale and are not for a bargain and your deal, the conspiracy will not pass.”