Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riyad al-Maliki, who is currently on a visit to India, has expressed hope that Palestine will soon be free from Israeli occupation, saying peace will be restored and Gaza rebuilt. In an exclusive interview with ABP Live, Dr Maliki said that as long as Benjamin Netanyahu remains the Prime Minister of Israel, he does not have much hope from Israel, as Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that he will continue to occupy Palestine.
India Key To Palestine Peace
Speaking on US President Donald Trump’s peace proposal, Dr Maliki said he hopes Trump will be able to restore peace in Palestine and exert pressure on Israel to do so. He said Trump has considerable influence over both Netanyahu and Israel and could persuade Israel to agree to peace. When asked about his expectations from India, Dr Maliki said that India and Palestine share a very old relationship dating back to 1947, noting that India was among the first countries to recognise Palestine. He said India is a friend of both Palestine and Israel, and that a friend can talk to another friend and persuade them to help a third friend. These, he said, are Palestine’s expectations from India.
India Visit Seen As Crucial
Dr Maliki, who is in India for special talks with ministers from Arab countries, said that while no immediate solution may emerge from the discussions, they will help deliberate on what Arab nations should do for Palestine and what the future of Gaza should look like. He said the meeting is important as it allows Palestine to garner support from all sides. The visit gains significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Israel soon. When asked what other expectations Palestine has from India, Dr Maliki said India can play a major role as it maintains friendly relations with both Israel and Palestine. He said India has always been a proponent of democracy, human rights and international law, and expressed hope that India would recognise the Palestinian state.
Hopes From Trump, Peace Path
Responding to questions on Trump’s peace talks, the Palestinian Foreign Minister said expectations remain high, especially as Netanyahu has publicly stated plans to annex the West Bank. He said Trump has achieved what others could not and can use his influence to bring Israel to the negotiating table. On the ongoing protests in Iran, Dr Maliki said Iran is an independent country and its people will decide their future direction. He reiterated that Palestine’s goal remains freedom and peace, and that Palestinians will continue to raise their voices for a peaceful path forward.
Peace Over Violence, PLO Path
Addressing questions on Hamas, Dr Maliki said peace agreements must be honoured by all parties, including Israel and Hamas. He said not every Palestinian supports Hamas, though some may feel emotionally attached when peaceful voices go unheard. Drawing a parallel with India’s freedom struggle, he noted that India adopted both non-violence and armed resistance during its independence movement. However, he stressed that Palestine’s official stance has been non-violent since 1988. He said that if Hamas wishes to be part of the Palestinian political framework, it must join the PLO, which stands for peace. “We support peace, not violence,” he said.
