In a message, on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, celebrated this Friday (29), the secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, said that fundamental rights of people are still “very distant”. Palestinians.
The secretary-general stressed that the United Nations will continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, with “their inalienable rights to live in peace, security and dignity.”
“Every year, on this day, the international community expresses its solidarity for the dignity, rights, justice and self-determination of the Palestinian people. This year’s celebration is especially painful because these fundamental objectives remain so far away.”
Pain and injustice
Guterres stated that “nothing justifies” the terrorist attacks suffered by Israel on October 7, 2023, and the taking of hostages, actions carried out by Hamas. However, he stressed that “nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”.
“More than a year later, Gaza is in ruins, more than 43,000 Palestinians – most of them women and children – have been killed and the humanitarian crisis is getting worse day by day. This is terrible and inexcusable,” the statement said.
The secretary-general listed a series of Israeli actions, such as the occupation of part of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, military operations, the expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories, evictions and demolitions. “Settler violence and threats of annexation are inflicting more pain and injustice.”
Ceasefire
Guterres also defended a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. The secretary-general also called for the creation of two states with the capital in Jerusalem.
“It is high time for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages; the end of the illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories – as confirmed by the International Court of Justice and the General Assembly; and to move irreversibly towards a two-state solution, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions,” argued the UN Secretary-General.
