New york city: Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz has emphasized that the ongoing Israeli occupation remains the primary barrier to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Turkey, in collaboration with Ireland, led a working group session titled “Preserving the Two-State Solution” during the High-Level International Conference on Resolving the Palestinian Issue through Peaceful Solutions and Implementing the Two-State Solution at the United Nations headquarters.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Yilmaz, while co-chairing the session, expressed appreciation for France’s recognition of the State of Palestine and urged other nations to follow suit. He highlighted a collective resolve to alleviate the longstanding hardships faced by the Palestinian people and underscored the importance of programs designed to bolster the capabilities of the Palestinian Authority.

Yilmaz pointed out that the discussions underscored the necessity of implementing robust and effective measures in light of Israel’s ongoing threat to annex Palestinian territories. The working group has suggested the establishment of mechanisms to enforce international law and humanitarian standards.

Further, Yilmaz addressed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the pressing issues of illegal Israeli settlements, land seizures, and home demolitions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. He stated that Israel might face coercive measures due to its support for illegal settlements and stressed the urgency of preventing Israel’s actions aimed at displacing Palestinians.

Yilmaz outlined the working group’s priorities, which include realizing the two-state solution, recognizing the State of Palestine as a full United Nations member, providing humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, supporting institutional development, halting settlement expansion and forced displacement, ensuring accountability and the rule of law, involving civil society, and securing safety for both communities.

He concluded by stressing the need for immediate and decisive actions to protect the two-state solution, uphold legal and humanitarian principles, and implement accountability mechanisms beyond mere expressions of concern.