Gaza: Peace will never be built through more violence – UN Chief | United Nations
Remarks to the Security Council by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
——————————————————————–
Secretary-General António Guterres said that a just and lasting peace in Gaza “will never be built through more violence,” stressing “it demands a collective commitment – to diplomacy, to international law, to the dignity of all people.”
Guterres today (23 Sep) spoke at a Security Council meeting on Gaza, describing the current situation one of the darkest chapters of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Guterres once again appealed for an immediate permanent ceasefire; the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages; and immediate, unconditional and unhindered humanitarian access.
The Secretary-General welcomed the recognition of Palestinian statehood by many more countries, including permanent members of the Council, France and the United Kingdom, noting that this is the clearest path to a two-State solution – Israel and an independent, sovereign, democratic, viable and contiguous State of Palestine – living side by side in peace and security, on the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States, based on international law and UN resolutions.
“We must seize this momentum,” Guterres highlighted, adding “The so-called ‘day after’ in Gaza must be anchored in international law, reject any form of ethnic cleansing, and have a clear political horizon toward a viable two-State solution.”
The UN chief also said, “The calls of the International Court of Justice must be heeded – including for Israel to immediately cease settlement activities and end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
“The illegal occupation must end. And we must support Palestinian institutions — politically and financially — to carry out essential reforms and ensure fiscal stability,” he added.
The Secretary-General concluded by calling for a collective commitment, “there are actions that the Security Council must take. There are responsibilities each member of this Council must uphold. We cannot let this fragile moment slip away,” he said
For more Information or to watch the video on YouTube, click here.