Palestinian ambassador to the UN addresses General Assembly

Summary

During a United Nations General Assembly emergency special session, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN delivered a poignant speech, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He detailed the devastating impact of Israeli bombings on Palestinian civilians, citing over 7,000 deaths, including a significant number of women and children, in less than three weeks. The ambassador emphasized the destruction of homes and infrastructure, appealed for an immediate ceasefire, and urged international leaders to prioritize justice and humanitarian aid over continued conflict.

Takeaways

• 📍 The United Nations General Assembly held an emergency special session focused on the protection of the Palestinian civilian population.
• 🚨 The ambassador to the UN for Palestine emphasized the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with civilians under bombs and families being killed.
• 🏥 There is a dire humanitarian situation with hospitals overwhelmed, neighborhoods destroyed, and people fleeing with nowhere safe to go.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 The ambassador highlighted the tragic stories of loss, including 3,000 children killed in the last three weeks.
• 🏠 Over 40% of homes have been destroyed, leaving 1.4 million people homeless and displaced.
• 🤔 The ambassador questioned the justification for the war and the defense of actions that have led to such a high civilian death toll.
• 😔 There is a sense of outrage and disbelief at the lack of urgency to end the killing of civilians and the devastation in Gaza.
• 👥 70% of those killed are women and children, which the ambassador condemns as crimes and barbarism.
• 🏛 The ambassador called for adherence to international law and humanitarian law, criticizing the selective application of these laws.
• 🤝 He urged the international community to act on justice, not vengeance, and to defend the law rather than justify its breach.
• ✊ The ambassador made a plea for a vote in favor of a draft resolution to stop the killing, allow humanitarian aid, and restore credibility to the UN.

Q & A

What is the context of the emergency special session at the United Nations?

The emergency special session at the United Nations is focused on the protection of the Palestinian civilian population amidst ongoing violence and destruction in Gaza.

Who is speaking in the transcript?

The speaker is the Ambassador to the UN for Palestine, Riyad Mansour, who is addressing the General Assembly.

What does the ambassador emphasize the urgency for?

The ambassador emphasizes the urgency to stop the bombings, save lives, and prevent a greater humanitarian catastrophe and regional spillover.

What are the reported casualties in Gaza according to the ambassador?

The ambassador reports that 7,000 Palestinians have been killed, with 70% of them being women and children, and 18,000 people wounded.

What does the ambassador accuse Israel of doing?

The ambassador accuses Israel of committing crimes, barbarism, and war crimes against the Palestinian civilians, including the killing of innocent children and the destruction of homes and infrastructure.

What is the ambassador's stance on the justification of the ongoing conflict?

The ambassador firmly states that nothing can justify the killing of civilians, crimes against humanity, or genocide, and criticizes those who attempt to justify Israel's actions.

What does the ambassador call for in terms of international law and humanitarian aid?

The ambassador calls for the upholding of international law, the provision of humanitarian aid to those in need, and for action to save lives.

How does the ambassador describe the impact of the conflict on families in Gaza?

The ambassador describes the impact as devastating, with entire families being killed, many losing 10 or more members, and the majority of the population being displaced.

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What does the ambassador imply about the perception of the conflict by different parties?

The ambassador implies that there is a double standard, with some showing more empathy for Israeli casualties than for Palestinians, and questions the basis for this disparity.

What is the ambassador's final appeal to the members of the General Assembly?

The ambassador's final appeal is to vote for a resolution to stop the killing, allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and to uphold justice, the law, and peace.

What does the ambassador highlight as the consequences of not taking action?

The ambassador highlights that lives are at stake, and by not taking action, the United Nations risks losing credibility, and the humanitarian crisis will continue to escalate.