Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) sees no chance of peace for Israel without a two-state solution with Palestine. Ahead of his participation in a UN Security Council debate on the Middle East, Schallenberg also clearly rejected a permanent Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Schallenberg was expected to deliver a speech at the UN’s most powerful body and hold bilateral meetings around 5pm local time (11pm CET) on Tuesday. An exchange with UN Secretary General António Guterres was also planned.
Netanyahu goes too far for Schallenberg
Austria is one of the biggest supporters of Israel, which has come under enormous international criticism for its campaign to destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the Austrian federal government cannot accept Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s categorical rejection of the two-state solution with the Palestinians last weekend – even if Israel’s security must be guaranteed.
“A negotiated two-state solution, based on international law, is the only show in town – the only way Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security,” Schallenberg emphasized before his trip to New York. In this regard, he apparently hopes for a continuation of the diplomatic rapprochement between Israel and the Arab states, which was abruptly interrupted by the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.
Such a ‘normalization perspective’ is a ‘catalyst for peace, security and prosperity in the region. These efforts must not be torpedoed by the terrorist organization Hamas,” Schallenberg said.
Minister criticizes Netanyahu’s government
Schallenberg also took a clear stand against the considerations of, among others, members of the Israeli government to occupy the Gaza Strip, which is inhabited by more than two million Palestinians. “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians: I reject any plan for expulsion or a permanent Israeli presence. There must be a civilian Palestinian representation that is accepted by the people of Gaza and that is willing and able to represent their legitimate concerns,” Schallenberg said.
“Hamas and other terrorist groups must never again become an existential threat to Israel. Israel’s security must be guaranteed,” Schallenberg emphasized. He reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and renewed calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas, including an Austrian-Israeli father.
Help in, hostages out
But there is also a need for “more and longer humanitarian pauses” as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip deteriorates day by day. “Humanitarian aid must come in, the hostages must come out,” the foreign minister said.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
