Grlić Radman on the humanitarian situation in Gaza; Sa'ar: We appreciate the efforts in the fight against terrorism

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman received Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Moshe Sa'ar in Zagreb on Tuesday and said in the conversation that Croatia is firmly committed to peace and a two-state solution, the Government announced.

Plenković: Croatia firmly committed to peace and a two-state solution

The Government office recalled that the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs previously received the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration of Palestine Varsen Aghabekian and that today's meeting with the Israeli minister took place "in the context of Croatia's broader efforts to contribute to global initiatives to stabilize the situation in the Middle East".

The statement added that on this occasion Minister Gordan Grlić Radman will travel to Amman today and meet with his Jordanian counterpart Safadi, and after Jordan he will also visit Syria.

“Talks with the Israeli minister were aimed at easing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and further international political and diplomatic efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which began after the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023,” the statement added.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the main priority is a cease-fire as soon as possible and the protection of civilians.

"It is necessary to urgently end the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to release all hostages and to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of aid to the vulnerable population, especially women and children," Andrej Plenković said.

He said that the Croatian Government will continue to conduct a dialogue with all actors and be firmly committed to lasting peace and security, as well as the achievement of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

He stressed that the Government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable population in the Gaza Strip, and so far, aid worth 4 million euros has been sent, including one million euros for the children of Gaza through UNICEF and the delivery of 400 tons of wheat flour.

On the occasion of the terrorist attack in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Plenković expressed his regret to the Israeli minister for the number of deaths.

Israel praised the Croatian government for not succumbing to the "French initiative"

Israel praised the Croatian government's stance on its war in Gaza, placing Zagreb in the same circle of countries as Germany and Italy that did not "succumb to Hamas propaganda" and were not drawn in by the French initiative to recognize a Palestinian state.

“I would like to commend those countries; Croatia is among them, that did not allow themselves to be drawn into the French initiative. They understood that this is not something that will bring us closer to peace, stability and security,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who is on an official visit to Croatia, at a joint press conference with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman.

“Countries like Croatia, Germany and Italy are just countries that contribute to humanitarian issues,” he said, “unlike countries that initiate unilateral decisions like France or Spain.”

“Those who are influenced by Hamas propaganda, like Spain, "only contribute to destabilization in the Middle East,” Sa'ar stressed.

“It is important for peace to continue on this path like Croatia, Germany and Italy, who understand that peace will be achieved in a bilateral context, not through unilateral decisions, he added."

French President Emmanuel Macron announced in July that France would recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly session in late September. Several countries have since said they will do the same, including Canada, Australia and Belgium.

In light of Israel's war in Gaza, Ireland, Norway, Spain and Slovenia have recognized a Palestinian state, among others.

“Recognizing a Palestinian state,” Sa'ar stressed, “would not only threaten Israel's existence but would also harm regional stability and would reward Hamas for its attacks and encourage it to continue.”

“That initiative would not bring us closer to peace and security, on the contrary, it would only destabilize the region. If we want progress, there must be a de-radicalization of the Palestinian society and political system. And only in a bilateral context can we get closer to peace, stability and security in the Middle East,” said Sa’ar.

“We did not start the war,” the Israeli foreign minister stressed, explaining that Israel was attacked from multiple fronts, mentioning the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Yemeni Houthis, Shiite militias from Iraq and Palestinian terrorists from Judea and Samarra, "as we saw yesterday", referring to the attack by radical Islamists in Jerusalem in which 6 people died.

“The killers came from the Palestinian Authority and came to kill Jews,” he said.

Sa’ar again emphasized that "the head of the snake is Iran, which attacked us twice".

The Israeli minister reiterated that the war "can end tomorrow", but for this there are two simple requirements: that all hostages, of which there are still 48 in Gaza, return, and that Hamas lay down its arms.

Saar expressed gratitude to Grlić Radman for his visit to Israel after the bloody attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and said that Israel appreciates Croatia's efforts for peace and efforts related to the fight against terrorism.

Grlić Radman: Croatia advocates a two-state solution

Grlić Radman said that Croatia advocates a two-state solution "but only as a result of dialogue and the peace process", saying that all that remains are "symbolic acts without content" and "political slogans".

“The government of the Republic of Croatia is of the opinion that dialogue and a two-state solution are the only way forward, and the Republic of Croatia is ready to help processes that would contribute to permanent peace and stability in the Middle East,” said Grlić Radman.

He added that he conveyed to Israel's foreign minister "concerns about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed the importance of freeing all Israeli hostages as well as Israel's right to security."

Sa'ar said that "radical terrorist countries are not only an Israeli problem. It is a problem for the Palestinians as well as for regional stability", and they should not exist.

“In Gaza, there has been a big change on the ground,” he emphasized.

“I know that this is not something you hear in the Western media, which is often influenced by Hamas' lies. But we have facilitated the routes, opened humanitarian corridors, large quantities of basic products have entered Gaza,” he said.

When asked about the statements of Croatian President Zoran Milanović, who called for the recognition of a Palestinian state, and said that Israeli actions in Gaza constitute ethnic cleansing and that the government in Israel is criminal, Saar welcomed "responsible countries and governments that have acted responsibly", including Croatia, along with Germany and Italy, because they have a balanced approach.

“Those that use slogans or serve Hamas propaganda are not relevant,” he said.

“Trying to dictate the end of the conflict through us is not fair. Croatia or any other country would not want that for itself, and it will not happen,” he noted.

He said that "some politicians in friendly countries" have also attacked Israel.

“As for the President of Croatia, and some other politicians, it is regrettable ..., I am sorry that we are being attacked at a time when radical Islam is attacking us from all the fronts that I mentioned. I reject the content and remind you that in the past Croatia has also been accused, but in the end we know what happened and we know that these were not fair accusations."

Source: HRT