Pakistan calls on the UNSC to take action rather than stand idly by when Israel murders and starves Palestinians.
Pakistan has pleaded with the UN General Assembly to stop watching as Palestinians are killed, wounded, and malnourished.
“The world cannot afford another day of inaction in response to the cries from Gaza,” Pakistan’s permanent envoy to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the 15-member Council on Wednesday.
A conference on the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue will be held by the UNGA in June.
He stated at a discussion on the Middle East problem, which included the Plestinian issue, that “history will not absolve us of our responsibility.”
Saudi Arabia and France will co-chair the 193-member Assembly’s Conference, which will be held at UN headquarters in New York from June 17 to 20.
The atmosphere at the table is evident. The demands for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, humanitarian assistance, and the defense of defenseless citizens are so clear. In a heartfelt statement, the Pakistani envoy stated, “This is achievable.”
“We urge all Council members to unite, take action through a resolution, and advance the goal—both immediately and in the long run—in order to foster an atmosphere that will support the June Conference and a fair and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue.”
“There is no more room for equivocation,” he continued. The Palestinian people’s human agony has absolutely no explanation. Indeed, enough is enough.
How many more crimes have to be perpetrated before this Council acts in accordance with the UN Charter, the law, and morality? Concerning words are no longer sufficient.
“Now is the moment to take action and stop genocide.”
“We cannot permit the normalization of Israeli atrocities—that would be a violation of both international law and human dignity,” stated Ambassador Asim.
Over 54,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have been killed and over 122,000 injured, he claimed, calling the current crisis a man-made disaster caused by Israel’s protracted blockade, indiscriminate bombardment, and attacks on people.
The anguish caused on the people of Gaza was characterized by the Pakistani envoy as “beyond measure, beyond imagination.”
He claimed that more than 800 medical facilities have been attacked in this regard, with hospitals functioning without necessary supplies and even ambulances and medical personnel being targeted.
Ambassador Asim stated that starvation is now a bleak reality rather than a threat, with humanitarian convoys being attacked or blocked and at least 57 children already dead from hunger.
More than 80% of dwellings were destroyed, and communication, power, and water systems were severely damaged. “This is intentional,” he declared.
Over 28,000 women and girls have lost their lives, and 50,000 expectant women are expected to give birth in hazardous and unhygienic settings.
The worsening circumstances in the West Bank, including rising violence, house demolitions, and travel restrictions, were also brought to the attention of the Pakistani ambassador. He also warned of possible regional escalation and denounced Israeli officials’ “provocative” visits to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He called on the Security Council to act swiftly and forcefully in four ways:
complete adherence to Resolution 2735, an end to all attacks against civilians, unimpeded access for relief workers, and the prompt lifting of all limitations on the distribution of aid;
The international community must strive toward a fair and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif serving as the capital of an independent Palestinian state, and condemn any attempts to drive Palestinians from their land by force.
Ambassador Asim said, “There is no doubt that this is one of the most serious humanitarian crises of our time.”
