ForMin Toiu: Israeli minister's statements 'completely unacceptable'; Romania reaffirms support for two-state solution

The recent statements by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir are "completely unacceptable", interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu said on Friday on platform X."This is not the first time we have had to speak out firmly, both in Romania and in the international community, to reaffirm that such statements run counter to the painful lessons history has taught us about the immense dangers of dehumanisation and calls for indiscriminate violence. These provocative calls for unjustifiable violence undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful solution, both by actors in the region and at international level," the interim minister wrote.She stressed that respect for human rights remains a fundamental principle underpinning Romania's foreign policy and that, accordingly, Romania "firmly" rejects such dangerous statements.The interim minister reiterated Romania's position in support of a two-state solution."I have seen the marches by Israeli and Palestinian mothers calling for peace and hoping that leaders will find a way to protect children and innocent lives; I share their hope. Romania has consistently supported a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution. For this reason, we consider the Israeli Government's decision to advance implementation of the E1 settlement project through a tender for the construction of more than 1,200 housing units to be a serious step backwards from achieving a two-state solution. The decision risks effectively dividing the West Bank in two," she said.Oana Toiu said that, under international law, settlements in the West Bank remain illegal and that acts of violence there have no justification."We hope responsible measures will be taken to halt the advancement of this project. We will continue to focus our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, together with our international partners, on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803," the interim foreign minister said.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "unequivocally" condemned on Wednesday the "dangerous" statements by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said Israel should kill "30 or 40" people "every night in Gaza", Agence France-Presse reported on Wednesday.