Maarouf: Israel is heading towards radicalizing relations with Palestine, we welcome Sweden's decision

The Israeli occupation authorities are preventing Palestinians from entering Jerusalem to the Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform their prayers, and this is the first time in history since the first occupation in 1967, said Majed Maarouf, president of the Association of the Palestinian Community in BiH for the news agency Patria.

- This means that they are heading towards radicalizing relations with the Palestinians and are using the situation where the Arab world is preoccupied with its own problems – Maarouf told NAP.

He also stated that the reconstruction in Gaza, which was devastated during Israel's attacks, is proceeding slowly, is interrupted and then resumed, and they are facing difficulties in obtaining construction materials.

Good news for the Palestinian people is also the recognition of the State of Palestine last week by Sweden.

- We welcome Sweden, the King and the Government, and the Swedish people who acted in a friendly and just manner regarding the recognition of the State of Palestine. We hope and expect that other European countries will soon take the same step – he points out.

On this occasion, the Association of the Palestinian Community in BiH sent a letter to the Embassy of Sweden in BiH.

- The Palestinian people know how to appreciate the decision of Your esteemed Government, which aims to help the Palestinian side in negotiations with Israel. It also restores our optimism that we are not left alone and that the International Community will enable the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine in accordance with UN Resolution 242. The Palestinian people want to live in peace and prosperity like other peoples in the world and to have good neighborly relations with the people of Israel – the letter states.

We remind you that in Israel's attacks on Palestine, 2,143 Palestinians and 70 Israelis were killed, and the Gaza Strip was devastated.