Undersecretary for Global Affairs Lind met with the families of Israeli hostages

From 29 to 31 January, Minna-Liina Lind, Undersecretary for Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is on a visit to Israel, where she met with the families of hostages today. Lind also discussed human rights, regional security, and cyber policy with representatives of the Knesset, Foreign Ministry, and Defence Ministry.

Today, the terrorist organisation Hamas released eight hostages kidnapped in October 2023, including three Israeli and four Thai citizens. During her visit, Lind met with members of the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which represents the hostages and their loved ones. She also spoke to the families of hostages who asked the international community for help in securing the release of hostages.

Lind’s visit also included meetings at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Amir Weissbrod, Deputy Director General for UN and International Organisations Division, and Yossi Amran, Undersecretary for European Affairs. At her meetings, she underlined that both Israel and Palestine were facing complicated, but also hopeful challenges. “Lasting peace in the Middle East can be ensured only through a solution that ensures that both the people of Israel and Palestine can live in peace next to each other in sovereignty and security,” Lind said.

“Ensuring the continued, safe, and unhindered access of humanitarian aid to those who need it is crucial,” Lind underlined, adding that Estonia has long supported the work of UNRWA. “We consider their role in alleviating the situation of the residents of Gaza very important; at the same time, the UNRWA should implement the recommendations made to ensure its neutrality.”

Closer bilateral relations, global security, including Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and cooperation in international organisations were also discussed.

Lind spoke about the Middle East Peace process and the two state solution in her meetings with human rights organisations, who briefed her on the latest developments in the West Bank. “Estonia has always stood for lasting peace in the Middle East, and supports international initiatives that would contribute to resolving complicated international conflicts.”

Her meeting with Amir Sagie, Director of Cyber and EDT’s Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, covered closer cooperation on digital affairs and new technologies, and fighting disinformation. She spoke to Knesset member Shelly Tal Meron about gender-based violence in conflicts, including in Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Lind spoke to the external relations department of the Cogat unit (the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) at the Ministry of Defence about the latest developments in Gaza, including increasing humanitarian aid. “Estonia stands in solidarity with Israel, who has the full right to defend itself; however, this must be in full compliance of the norms of international humanitarian law. We share the opinion that Hamas cannot have a role in managing and governing Gaza.”

Photos of the visit are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/albums/72177720323499436

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