Madrid Statement Calls for Full Withdrawal of Israeli Forces from Gaza, Philadelphi Corridor

The Madrid Statement issued by the representatives of the Joint Ministerial Group on the Implementation of the Two-State Solution called for the restoration of full control of the Palestinian Authority over the Rafah crossing and the rest of the borders, stressing the need for a full withdrawal of the occupying Israeli forces from Gaza, including the Philadelphi Corridor.

This came in a joint statement issued by the representatives of the Joint Ministerial Group of the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, the State of Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, in addition to the foreign ministers and representatives of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain, following their meeting, Friday, in Madrid.

The joint statement stressed that the meeting came in the midst of the worst crisis in the Middle East in decades; to affirm the joint commitment to implementing the two-state solution; as the only way to achieve lasting peace and security.

Representatives of the Joint Ministerial Group also affirmed their full support for the ongoing mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and their rejection of all measures aimed at obstructing this mediation process.

They said, “We reiterate our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees.”