The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is ready to support initiatives and resolutions that will create a pathway to Palestinian statehood and bring to a close a turbulent and violent era in the Israel-Palestine relationship.

As the Philippines gets ready to chair the 11-member regional bloc next year, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro affirmed ASEAN’s stand for a two-state solution for Palestine.

“I will not be surprised if there will be another statement from ASEAN chaired by us on the peace, stability, and future prosperity of the state of Palestine,” she said during a press conference after her bilateral meeting with visiting Palestinian Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin.

“I would not be surprised if there would be resolutions that would be submitted to us as the chair and for ASEAN member states to look into and to also, as a document, the issue of Palestine through state solution. So it is always, it has always been a statement of support coming from ASEAN,” Lazaro added.

Noting that the issue of Palestine “is very important” to ASEAN member-states, the DFA chief welcomed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution approved on Monday, Nov. 17, mandating a transitional administration and an International Stabilization Force in Gaza to create a credible pathway for the establishment of Palestinian statehood.

“I think this resolution passed last night by the Security Council is probably, it’s one of the best that has come out from the United Nations. I think this will bring a way towards peace and stability,” the official said.

“That's what the Palestinian people have been asking for. And the Philippines, as part of the international community, in its own efforts, try to assist in our own small way to assist the Palestinian people and the state of Palestine,” the official added.

Shahin likewise welcomed the resolution, calling it a “first step in a long road towards peace.”

“So we're very happy that is happening, but it means that there are other issues that we need to tackle. It means we need to ensure that this is governed by international law, that it's not divorced from the New York Declaration, that it truly embodies the issue of self-determination, and that we see the statehood somewhere along those lines,” she stated.

The Palestinian official underscored the importance of the ceasefire to save Palestinian lives and also to take a step toward Palestinian statehood.

“As long as these elements are in there, we're happy with this first step,” she stressed.

The resolution, drafted by the United States as part of the Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan, passed 13-0 on Monday, marking a crucial step after a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The draft states that “conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” after the Palestinian Authority was able to carry out reforms and advancements in the redevelopment of Gaza.