Montenegro’s stance since the onset of Israel’s war against the Palestinian people has been unequivocal and consistent. Calls for adherence to international law and an immediate ceasefire were issued in the early days of the Israeli offensive, stated the Palestinian Ambassador to Montenegro, Rabii Alhantouli, reflecting on the Montenegrin government’s response to the events occurring in Gaza and the West Bank.

In an interview with “Vijesti,” Alhantouli remarked that “Israeli transgressions necessitate swift and tangible actions by all nations, including Montenegro.”

In late October 2023, Montenegro backed a United Nations (UN) resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was passed by 120 countries, with 45 abstentions, including Serbia and North Macedonia, while 14 members opposed it, notably Israel, the United States, and Croatia. Among other Balkan nations, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia supported the resolution.

When asked about the support from Montenegro, Alhantouli highlighted that it is primarily the citizens who show the most solidarity, while he anticipates greater action from officials and politicians.

He emphasized that achieving a “two-state” solution aligned with UN resolutions is the sole pathway to obtaining equitable and lasting peace in the Middle East.

How do you assess the stance of Montenegro and its institutions regarding the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank? Do you believe there is sufficient discourse about these events in Montenegro, particularly within its political landscape?

Montenegro’s official position has been clear and steadfast since the start of the ongoing Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people. Early requests for adherence to international law, a ceasefire, and humanitarian aid to Gaza were issued almost immediately following the outbreak of violence. After 21 months of relentless aggression by Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least 58,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, mere words or statements fall short.

The atrocities committed by Israel necessitate immediate and concrete actions from all nations, including Montenegro, to: cease genocide, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid, and halt Israel’s illegal colonial occupation, which is the root cause of all crises in Palestine and the broader Middle East. As highlighted by the United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, in her recent report titled “From the Economy of Occupation to the Economy of Genocide,” all countries “have a duty to refrain from aiding or supporting Israel, including prohibiting arms trade and military technology exchange.”

Who in Montenegro do you feel provides the most support, and from whom do you anticipate more?

The Montenegrin populace stands as the primary source of support, unified in their backing of the Palestinian people while condemning Israel’s war crimes. I expect greater commitment from political leaders and officials.

How do you think Montenegro can contribute to improving the situation in Gaza and the West Bank? Do you perceive Montenegro as following a balanced policy?

Montenegro can enhance its efforts by reinforcing its principled stance, advocating for the two-state solution, and demanding an end to Israel’s military occupation of Palestine. This can be manifested through definitive actions in bilateral relations with Israel and increased participation in multilateral initiatives, including legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

In your opinion, how feasible is the “two-state” solution today? Is it still attainable following this conflict?

The realization of a two-state solution based on United Nations resolutions remains the only viable path toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Our inalienable right to self-determination will never be relinquished. Since 1988, we have accepted an international compromise, agreeing that our independent state would exist on merely 22 percent of historic Palestine, representing our utmost sacrifice for peace. Now, with the world observing the genocidal actions of the Israeli government, it is imperative for the international community to take actionable steps towards enforcing a two-state solution.

What is your perspective on the role of Arab countries? Do you sense political support for the Palestinian cause, or is the solidarity mostly limited to symbolic gestures? What can you say about the reluctance of Arab countries to accept refugees from Gaza?

Arab nations have historically upheld a principled stance advocating for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Consequently, Arab countries have accepted compromises proposed by Western nations that promoted a two-state solution and even introduced the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, which Israel rejected. However, much like the rest of the international community, Arab nations find themselves constrained in their ability to act. This does not imply we don’t expect them to exert more influence in halting the ongoing Israeli genocidal acts and military occupation.

Regarding the acceptance of refugees from Gaza, Arab countries are caught between two conflicting forces. While they strive to protect Palestinian civilians, they are aware that doing so might enable Israel’s strategy of ethnically cleansing Palestine, which is viewed as a betrayal to the Palestinian populace. Additionally, it is crucial to remember that over six million Palestinians have lived as refugees, primarily in neighboring Arab nations, since 1948, when Israel was established on Palestinian lands, forcibly displacing them.

The Palestinian political movement is significantly fragmented. Do you believe the feud between Fatah and Hamas undermines the legitimacy of Palestinian international representation?

The internal Palestinian landscape has experienced profound divisions over strategies to confront the Israeli military occupation. The official Palestinian stance, represented by the PLO and Fatah, has been clear: we must employ political, diplomatic, legal, and non-violent means to end the Israeli occupation, seeking support from the international community. Following the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who reached a peace agreement with Yasser Arafat in 1993 under the Oslo Accords, successive Israeli governments have taken measures to undermine the peace process by neglecting their commitments. Regrettably, Israel has managed to extinguish hope for peace, conveying to the Palestinian people that non-violent methodologies will not restore their freedom, independence, and dignity. This has granted Hamas the opportunity to rally greater support for its agenda among Palestinians.

This internal factionalism necessitates healing, and perhaps our people are now more convinced that the official (PLO-Fatah) strategy for ending the Israeli military occupation may lack immediate results, yet is the most prudent and effective in the long run; we firmly believe that we will achieve our people’s legitimate aspirations.

Despite these challenges, the current situation does not diminish the legitimacy of the Palestine Liberation Organization as the recognized representative of the Palestinian people, as established by internal national policies and international resolutions. Moreover, 147 countries have recognized the State of Palestine and its government, forming bilateral relations guided by international accords and treaties.

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