Joint Action Could Prevent Escalation in the Middle East, Says Minister Szijjártó

By uniting the forces of the international community, escalation in the Middle East could be avoided and the countries of the region could return to the hopeful path of the Abraham Accords in order to build peace, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in New York on Monday.

The minister stressed at an informal session of the UN General Assembly that it should not be forgotten that the current conflict began with a brutal terrorist attack on Israel a month and a half ago, and that this should not be relativized. “It is in the interest not only of Israel but of the whole world that there should not be such another terrible attack. Success in the fight against terrorism is in the world’s interest,” he said.

In his speech, he drew attention to three specific Hungarian aspects of the situation. Firstly, the importance of protecting the civilians trapped in the Gaza Strip, noting that fifteen Hungarian citizens were in the area, but that all those who had intended to leave had now been evacuated. In this context, he thanked his Egyptian and Israeli colleagues, without whom, he said, this would not be possible.

Secondly, he underlined that Hamas must immediately and unconditionally release the hostages, including five Hungarian citizens.

He pointed out that

Hungary could only agree to decisions, resolutions, and declarations calling on the terrorist organization to release the abducted people immediately.

Finally, he emphasized that it would be critical for Europe to preserve the stability of Egypt, a bastion of the continent against illegal migration flows.

The minister noted that while the international community is asking Cairo to accept everyone from the Gaza Strip, it should also contribute to maintaining stability in the country. “This is why Hungary has offered EUR 100,000 to provide medical supplies for those in need,” he added.

In his opinion, Europe’s security is facing serious challenges today, and the situation in the Middle East has a direct impact on the continent as a whole. He thinks that in the short term, the international community must do its utmost to avoid escalation of the war on terror into an inter-state war.

He went on to say that

in the long term, we should return to the spirit of the Abraham Accords that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states.

This agreement has been the best hope for peace in recent decades, Minister Szijjártó added. He therefore called on the parties to the agreement and those planning to join it not to give up. “We believe that if we unite forces, we can avoid an escalation of the situation in the Middle East and be able to return to the path of hope to ensure that everyone in the Middle East can live in peace and stability,” he concluded.

Via MTI, Featured image: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter