President Rinkēvičs expressed Latvia's solidarity with the people of Israel.
"Latvia stands with the people of Israel at this difficult time. There is no justification for the brutal and inhuman terrorist attacks perpetrated by the Hamas terrorist organisation. Israel has the right to self-defence, and Latvia supports Israel's fight against terrorism in accordance with humanitarian and international law," said President Rinkēvičs.
"The cynical and cowardly tactics of Hamas to hide behind captives and civilians deserve the strongest condemnation," the President of Latvia stressed. At the same time, E. Rinkēvičs pointed out that in the fight against terrorism, civilians must be protected to the maximum extent possible.
During a meeting with the family members of the civilians captured by Hamas during the terrorist attacks on 7 October 2023, President Rinkēvičs again expressed his solidarity with the people of Israel and the relatives of the captives.
Latvia's head of state also visited the West Bank and met Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority
The parties discussed ways to prevent further violence and humanitarian catastrophe in the region and to support the Palestinians in their humanitarian needs. President Rinkēvičs also noted that Latvia, as a member of the European Union (EU), was in favour of closer EU-Palestinian political dialogue and supported the conclusion of a fully-fledged EU-Palestinian Association Agreement.
