Barcelona – In Barcelona, Ayman Safadi, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, highlighted the Gaza conflict as a key aspect of the suffering endured by Palestinians due to prolonged occupation.
According to Jordan News Agency, who spoke at the 8th Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Forum, the ongoing war in Gaza is a direct result of decades-long policies that have oppressed the Palestinian people.
The conference, held in Barcelona and co-chaired by Jordan and the European Union, was hosted by Spain. It concluded with a joint press conference featuring prominent figures such as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell; Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, and UfM Secretary-General, Nasser Kamel.
Safadi condemned the October 7 killing of civilians, labeling it a byproduct of an occupation that denies Palestinians their basic human rights. He criticized the Israeli government for its systematic approach to undermine peace prospects and for the denial of Palestinian culture and existence. Safadi equated these actions to terrorism.
The foreign minister further noted that the current year had been particularly violent for Palestinians in the West Bank, describing it as the bloodiest in decades. He attributed this to settler terrorism, land confiscation, and settlement expansion, accusing the Israeli government of ignoring the Palestinian issue and hindering regional peace.
Safadi stressed that peace in the region is contingent on the Palestinian people being treated as equals and having their rights fulfilled. He expressed his concern over the differing perspectives on the conflict, with some colleagues referring to the Israeli actions as ‘self-defense’, while he labeled them as blatant aggression.
He emphasized that war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza fit the legal definition of genocide. Safadi called for an immediate ceasefire, pointing out that Palestinian lives are at stake not only due to Israeli military actions but also due to the lack of essential resources like water and medicine.