Polish, Palestinian FMs discuss Gaza, West Bank, humanitarian aid

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and his Palestinian counterpart Varsen Aghabekian Shahin discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, Poland's aid to the Palestinians and efforts to advance a two-state solution during talks in Warsaw on Thursday.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (right) and his Palestinian counterpart Varsen Aghabekian Shahin (left) hold a joint news conference in Warsaw on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Photo: PAP/Albert Zawada

Speaking at a joint news conference after the meeting, Sikorski said Poland continued to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state existing peacefully alongside Israel.

"The Palestinian people have the full right to live in peace and to legal protection of their heritage," Sikorski said.

He called for an end to what he described as the illegal seizure of Palestinian land, settler violence and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

"The West Bank is not part of Israel," Sikorski said.

He noted that Poland has recognized Palestinian statehood since 1988 and said Warsaw remains committed to a negotiated two-state solution that guarantees both Israel and Palestine the right to exist within secure, internationally recognized borders.

Sikorski said Palestine has long been one of the priority recipients of Poland's foreign aid.

He said Poland provided nearly USD 20 million in humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinians between 2023 and 2025, most of it through United Nations agencies, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

He added that Poland contributed about USD 1 million at this year's international donor conference and a total of USD 2.2 million to UN organizations supporting Palestinians.

Humanitarian and development projects carried out in Palestine this year are expected to total USD 3.7 million, he said.

Sikorski also urged Israel to release Palestinian tax and customs revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority, saying the funds were needed to enable the authority to function effectively and pay public-sector salaries.

He welcomed the Palestinian Authority's plans to hold legislative elections this autumn, followed by presidential elections next year, despite what he described as difficult circumstances.

Aghabekian Shahin thanked Poland for hosting a meeting of Palestinian ambassadors accredited to European countries in Warsaw, calling it a sign of support for Palestinian diplomacy.

She also expressed appreciation for Poland's humanitarian assistance and backing for dialogue.

She said her talks with Sikorski focused on the situation in the Palestinian territories, adding that Israeli military operations had intensified in recent days despite a ceasefire that formally took effect in October.

The Palestinian minister stressed the need for sustained humanitarian and medical access to Gaza and raised concerns about violence in the West Bank, saying attacks and settlement expansion were undermining prospects for lasting peace, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

She also emphasized the need to protect civilians and cultural heritage while advancing efforts toward a two-state solution.

Asked about the planned Palestinian elections, Aghabekian Shahin said the authorities were committed to restoring democratic processes after years without national elections.

She voiced hope that Palestinians in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as members of the Palestinian diaspora, would be able to participate with support from the international community.

Sikorski told reporters that organizing free and fair elections under occupation would be politically and logistically difficult, but said Poland supported the Palestinian leadership's determination to restore democratic legitimacy.

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Source: IAR/PAP

Click on the audio player above for a report by Piotr Urbaniak.