She is not alone in her criticism. Israel is increasing pressure to find a way to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The European Parliament last week called for a “permanent ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip, conditional on Hamas releasing hostages taken in the violent attack on October 7. Israeli officials said more than 1,200 citizens and foreigners were killed and 240 were taken hostage. — and the complete demilitarization of Gaza.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been reluctant to accept a ceasefire, despite pressure from the US and EU, and has firmly and repeatedly rejected a two-state solution.
Valtonen said Netanyahu’s rejection of a two-state solution “does not bring us any closer to a solution to the conflict and peace.”
“Israel will soon hold elections, and Israelis, like Palestinians, are eager for a future that guarantees peace,” she said. “There is currently no outlook and Prime Minister Netanyahu has not offered an alternative to the two-state solution.”
Valtonen also called on Israel to open more borders to allow Israeli forces to flow humanitarian aid into the besieged land. The Israeli military has allowed limited supplies of food, water, fuel and medicine to the more than 2.3 million Palestinians living there. .
“People are starving and there is a lack of clean drinking water, and that is largely Israel’s fault,” she says. “We must allow more trucks carrying relief supplies from abroad to cross the border and distribute food to everyone,” she said.
This article has been updated to include Elina Valtonen’s explanation and Israel Katz’s letter.