Israel has the right to self-defense, but its response must be in accordance with international humanitarian law. This was stated by the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs, Juraj Blanar, in Rome, at the international conference on the Mediterranean “Rome Dialogues MED”, dedicated to new approaches to security and socio-economic problems in the region.
During the conference, the head of Slovak diplomacy held bilateral meetings with his departmental colleagues from Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen, and also participated in round tables on issues of assistance and cooperation with the Mediterranean to ensure peace and economic stability, especially in relation to the conflict in the Gaza and Lebanon sector. Also discussed during the event was a new plan for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, proposed by American negotiator Amos Hochstein.
“Our priority is to comply with international law in all circumstances, without creating double standards,” Blanar said.
According to him, after last year’s attack by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, Israel has the right to self-defense, but its response must respect international humanitarian law.
“In this context we support the legitimate interests of Palestine,” the Slovak minister stressed.
Furthermore, in a meeting with the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bouhabib The head of the Slovak Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with Lebanese citizens.
“We discussed the prospects of concluding a ceasefire agreement in the conflict in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon among all interested parties under the supervision of the international community,” Blanar emphasized.
With Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the head of the Slovak Foreign Ministry spoke mainly about the situation in the Gaza Strip, calling for the search for diplomatic solutions and the reduction of tensions. Topics of the negotiations between Blanar and the head of Yemeni diplomacy Shai Mohsin Zindan It became the current situation in Yemen, bilateral relations and the security situation in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on merchant ships. The partners also discussed the possibilities of ending the civil war in Yemen.
Recall that after the attack by Hamas militants in October 2023, Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of civilians died as a result. The Israeli authorities consider themselves entitled to take such measures regardless of the reaction of the world community, which demands an end to the genocide of the Palestinians.
