‘Influential international parties’ urged to meet their moral and historical responsibilities to the Palestinian people CAIRO: The Arab League has welcomed Armenia’s recognition of the State of Palestine. On Friday, Armenia’s announcement made it the latest country to recognize Palestine as a state. While Israel continued its assault on Gaza, several countries recognized the state of Palestine, drawing strong rebukes from Israeli officials. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed Armenia’s announcement. It is a courageous decision that reflects the standing of this friendly country on the right side of history, he said. Gamal Roshdy, spokesperson for the secretary-general, said that the increasing recognition of the Palestinian state reflected a growing conviction among the international community that the continued occupation is not feasible and the need to implement a two-state solution. Roshdy said that recognition represented an essential step toward the establishment of the Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967. Roshdy quoted the secretary-general, urging all countries to recognize the state of Palestine as soon as possible. The call also represents the embodiment of the two-state solution and a real contribution to achieving peace and ending the occupation, On Friday, Egypt welcomed Armenia’s announcement. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt welcomed the decision by Armenia as a supportive step toward realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to end the Israeli occupation and establish their independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital. Egypt valued Armenia’s support for the Palestinian cause, calling for the continuation of efforts by all parties of the international community in pursuit of creating a political horizon that allows for the revival of a genuine peace process that addresses the roots and causes of the Palestinian issue and restores the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to establish an independent state. It called on influential international parties to assume their moral and historical responsibilities to the Palestinian people, to intervene to preserve their rights during this time of humanitarian hardship, to work to put an end to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, and to recognize the state of Palestine as an essential step toward a just resolution of the Palestinian issue.