RAMALLAH: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye has called for the formation of an international front to persuade Israel to cease its occupation of Palestinian lands and safeguard the two-state solution.

According to a statement from Ishtaye's office, Ishtaye made the remarks during a meeting with Maya Tissafi, Assistant State Secretary of the Swiss Foreign Ministry and head of the Middle East and North Africa Department, in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday.

The formation of an international front to exert pressure on Israel's occupation is critical," said Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who asked Switzerland to recognise Palestine. He also asked Switzerland and the international community to put pressure on Israel to adhere to and respect the signed peace agreements, as well as to cease all actions and breaches in the Palestinian areas.

"It is critical to provide international protection for the Palestinian people," he added.

Ishtaye and Tissafi also discussed measures to expand bilateral relations between Switzerland and Palestine, according to the statement. They emphasised the significance of working together to help Palestine create job opportunities and improve its economy.

In an interview with state-run Palestine TV on Sunday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas stated that the European Union will vote on restarting European aid to the Palestinians on Monday. a total of 23 European foreign ministers wrote a note to the EU requesting that aid to Palestine be reinstated without conditions, he said. "We are hopeful that the vote will yield positive results in regards to the aid that we have not gotten since 2021," he said.

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