Only a viable and strong Palestine would enable Israel to achieve its own security: President Waheed

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that Israel can only achieve its own security through the establishment of a viable and strong Palestinian State.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who is currently on a state visit to Maldives, President Dr Mohamed Waheed expressed support for a two state solution, with Palestine and Israel living side by side at peace through a negotiated settlement based on the relevant UN resolutions.

He also noted that the importance of the security of Israel:

“The security of Israel is equally important. It is also in the best interest of Israel to see the emergence of a viable and strong Palestine. Only a viable and strong Palestine would enable Israel to achieve its own security,” President Dr Mohamed Waheed said.

President Dr Mohamed Waheed stated that the state visit by President Abbas gives yet another opportunity for the Maldives to reassure the people of Palestine of the Maldives’ enduring support for their struggle for establishing the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also reassured President Abbas that Maldives supports Palestine’s application for membership of the United Nations, and would support Palestine’s membership in any other international organisation.

He added that the Maldives has been a strong supporter of Palestine at the UN Human Rights Council, having utilised every opportunity at the Council to advocate the rights of the Palestinian people.

“There is broad support in the Human Rights Council for these calls. Yet, the world has to realise that without a Palestinian State, there can never be Palestinian rights. International recognition of the State of Palestine is no barrier to the continuation of the peace talks. Rather, it helps to bring a sense of equality to both sides in the negotiations,” President Dr Mohamed Waheed said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the middle-eastern peace process is greatly obstructed by the fact that Israel fails to follow international laws.

He invited President Dr Mohamed Waheed to make a visit to Palestine at a convenient time, and expressed gratitude to the people and government of Maldives for their support to Palestine.