UNRWA: Recognizing Palestine without a ceasefire in Gaza does not mean much

The director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said on Monday that recognizing the state of Palestine without a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip does not mean much.

“While the recognition of the Palestinian state is welcome, it does not mean much if there is no ceasefire in Gaza,” he said. “Recognition must be followed by a genuine commitment to the peace process in the region.”

The statement came after the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal announced their recognition of Palestine. France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and San Marino plan to take the same step on Monday during the UN General Assembly.

(reuters, cnn, sab)