In a surprise, Russian Foreign Ministry supports Palestinian state stance

In a surprise, Russian Foreign Ministry supports Palestinian state stance

The statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry reflects Russia's stance on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in response to the latest attacks by Hamas on Israel. Russia has consistently advocated for a two-state solution to the conflict, which would involve the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

In this statement, Russia reaffirms its support for the creation of a "free Palestinian state" within the borders that existed before the 1967 Six-Day War. This reference to the 1967 borders is significant because it signifies Russia's alignment with international consensus, which generally recognizes these pre-war borders as the basis for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Furthermore, the statement underscores Russia's commitment to the idea of East Jerusalem serving as the capital of this envisioned Palestinian state. East Jerusalem is a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as both parties claim it as their rightful capital.

By explicitly stating support for East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state, Russia takes a stance that aligns with the Palestinian perspective. This position implies a willingness to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and reach a lasting peace agreement, where both Israelis and Palestinians can coexist side by side in their respective states. Overall, Russia's statement reflects its diplomatic approach to the complex and longstanding Middle East conflict, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution based on the principles of a two-state solution.