Astana, Jan 27 (EFE).— Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said Tuesday in the Kazakh capital that Hamas must be disarmed and the Gaza Strip demilitarized for regional security, while backing the Gaza policy of Donald Trump.
“Hamas must be completely disarmed and the Gaza Strip demilitarized. This is necessary both for Israel’s security and for Gaza’s future. That is our goal,” Saar said at a news conference in Astana after meeting with his Kazakh counterpart, Yermek Kosherbayev.
Warning on regional security
In addition to supporting Trump’s actions in Gaza and urging their implementation, Saar warned that without the disarmament of the Islamist movement Hamas, “there will be no security in the Middle East.”
He also spoke in favor of dismantling all “terrorist” groups backed by Iran in the region, from Hamas to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
Saar stressed that Israel seeks “the return of all hostages, alive or dead,” captured by Hamas.
Historical responsibility and national security
“Nazism murdered more than 6 million Jews. And we learned the lesson that every Israeli is important. And we do not want this to happen again,” he said.
The Israeli foreign minister, who described Astana as “a true friend and an important partner,” said Israel wants to expand cooperation with countries such as Kazakhstan through investment in agriculture, water conservation and other sectors.
Expanding bilateral cooperation
Representatives of around 30 Israeli companies traveled to Kazakhstan to explore prospects for cooperation with what is considered Central Asia’s economic locomotive.
Saar also highlighted Astana’s decision to join the Gaza Peace Board, calling it a “moral” move by a Muslim-majority country that supports tolerance and cooperation between Israel and Islamic nations.
Kazakhstan reiterates two-state position
For his part, Kosherbayev voiced concern over the situation in the Middle East and expressed support for constructive efforts aimed at regional stability and security.
“Kazakhstan once again confirms that it supports a solution to the Palestinian issue based on the ‘two states for two peoples’ formula endorsed by the United Nations Security Council,” he said.
The Kazakh minister also noted that two documents were signed during the visit: one on diplomatic cooperation and another memorandum of understanding on visa exemptions.
Investment ties
Israel has invested more than $500 million in the Kazakh economy over the past 20 years, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry. EFE