New York, 24 October 2023: Statement by Ambassador Munir Akram Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN During the High-Level Debate of the UNSC, On “the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question .
Mr. President, Pakistan thanks the Brazilian Presidency for convening this urgent high-level debate of the Security Council. We thank the Secretary General, Special Coordinator and Deputy Special Coordinator for their briefings. As the indiscriminate Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues with murderous consequences, I convey to Foreign Minister Maliki of Palestine the full support and solidarity of the Government and people of Pakistan with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in these tragic and challenging times. Israel’s relentless and indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza over the past 17 days has killed over 5,000 Palestinian children, women and men and injured another 15,000. An Israeli General has declared that Israel’s attacks this time will be “massive and destructive”.
Pakistan strongly and unequivocally condemns Israeli air strikes and military action in Gaza, particularly the attacks on schools and residential buildings and even hospitals, such as Ahli Baptist hospital where hundreds of sick and injured civilians killed. These Israeli attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructure, blockade of water, food and fuel as well as the forced transfer of people from the occupied territory, are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes. Those responsible for these atrocity crimes must be held accountable. Pakistan calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Continuation of the Israeli campaign in the Gaza, will lead to further massive civilian casualties and could trigger a wider and more dangerous conflict. We regret that the Security Council has been unable to issue a call for a ceasefire. A heavy responsibility will rest on those who contribute to the prolongation of the conflict.
We commend the role played by Egypt and the UN agencies in facilitating the delivery of some humanitarian assistance through the Rafah border crossing, including the relief items provided by Pakistan. This is not enough. We hope that a sustainable pipeline of life saving humanitarian assistance, including water, fuel, food and medicines will be established for the besieged people of Gaza. The displacement of the Palestinian population of Gaza is another violation of international humanitarian law. The Council must reject Israel’s attempts to displace the Gazans, within or outside Gaza.
Mr. President, Any attempt to create a false equivalence between Israel, the occupying power, and the Palestinians, the victims of this occupation is untenable legally, morally and politically. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Yet, under international law, the struggle of peoples living under foreign occupation for self-determination and national liberation is legitimate and cannot be equated with terrorism. It is the suppression of this struggle, which is illegal. Throughout history, colonial powers have portrayed national liberation movements as terrorism. Some in this Council have offered protection to their allies who are oppressing occupied peoples in Palestine or Kashmir. Under the UN Charter, States have the right of self-defense against attacks on their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Yet, a State, which is in forcible occupation of a foreign territory, cannot invoke the “right to self-defense” against those whose territory it has illegally occupied. The perpetuation of Israeli occupation will not bring peace to the Holy Land. Durable peace will emerge from the internationally agreed two-State solution and from the creation of a secure, viable, contiguous, and sovereign state of Palestine on the basis of the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Sub Editor: Ghufran