April 8, 2024, New York: Pakistan has urged the United Nations Security Council to take appropriate steps to ensure that its already adopted resolution (2728) that called for the enforcement of ceasefire in Gaza is implemented in letter and spirit. The country further said that as agreed at the Arab-OIC Summit in Riyadh, the Security Council should impose an immediate ban on the export of weapons and ammunition to Israel as well as hold the Israeli occupation authorities responsible for their crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza.
Ambassador Munir Akram made these remarks while speaking during the General Assembly debate today on the use of veto on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. The Pakistan envoy reiterated Pakistan’s unflinching support for the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, stating that “This step will make a Palestinian State a political reality and inevitability.”
The UN General Assembly meeting was called following the veto of a draft resolution, documented as 2024/239, submitted by the United States, prompting a discussion on the situation in the Middle East, particularly concerning the Palestinian question.
Acknowledging the subsequent adoption of Security Council resolution 2728 (2024) calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Ambassador Akram expressed disappointment in Israel’s non-compliance with the resolution, emphasizing the binding nature of Security Council resolutions under Article 25 of the UN Charter.
Ambassador Munir Akram said that the vetoed resolution contained several positive elements, including a call for expanding humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Gaza strip, rejection of forced displacement, respect for humanitarian and medical personnel, and reaffirmation of commitment to the two-state solution.
However, Ambassador Akram also highlighted significant deficiencies in the draft, particularly the absence of a demand for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, which had the overwhelming support of the entire UN membership, as expressed through the adoption of the two General Assembly resolutions.
The Pakistan UN envoy criticized the vetoed resolution for its failure to address Israel’s military actions adequately, including the killing of innocent Palestinians and the absence of reference to the ICJ’s preliminary findings and recommendations. He also noted the resolution’s lack of opposition to the threatened Israeli ground offensive in Rafah.
Citing Israel’s military campaign against Gaza, Ambassador Akram emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire, condemning Israel’s actions that resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives, targeting of essential infrastructure, and obstruction of humanitarian aid.
He underscored the necessity for any decision by the Security Council to prioritize an immediate cessation of hostilities and the lifting of barriers to humanitarian assistance.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support for the two-state solution, Ambassador Akram said that the establishment of an independent State of Palestine, with Al-Quds as its capital, as the only viable path to lasting peace in the Middle East.
He called for the revival of the peace process, inclusive of key Arab and OIC countries and thanked the President of the General Assembly for convening the meeting.
“The brutality and bloodshed in Gaza has persisted for too long. They must end now, and their recurrence must be prevented through a durable two state solution.”
Sub Editor: Ghufran