Palestinian diplomat appeals for peace in Gaza at a meeting between EU and Arab nations in Spain

By JOSEPH WILSON
Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The top Palestinian diplomat has made a plea during a meeting of European Union members and Arab nations for a definitive end to Israel’s retaliatory attacks on the Gaza Strip. Speaking hours before Israel and Hamas agreed to extend their expiring cease-fire by two more days, Riad al-Maliki said Monday that the truce should continue “so the Israeli government does not continue killing innocent people.” Israel didn’t attend the event in Spain hosted by the Union for the Mediterranean. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi chaired the meeting. The EU is the world’s biggest provider of assistance to the Palestinians as well as Israel’s biggest trade partner.