UNGA President on Middle East: “The unspeakable violence, the harrowing suffering must end, now“

Remarks by Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly, to the Tenth Emergency Special Session (resumed) of the General Assembly. Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, Distinguished Delegates, I come before you, this morning – deeply disturbed and distraught. Only this Tuesday we marked the anniversary of the United Nations Charter – the day on which our organization was founded out of the ashes of the most heinous crimes against humanity in history. While there is little to incline us to celebration we nevertheless honoured the values and principles that have anchored our organization these last 75 years. Yet again, we gather amidst the gravest escalation of violence and hostility in the Middle East in decades. Perhaps the most dramatic and difficult to countenance was the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital attack that killed several hundred people in a single incident – it is an unthinkable crime that must offend our human sensibilities. The worsening tension, the unspeakable violence, the harrowing suffering must end, now. I once again condemn the attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October, and reject the killings and the taking of civilian hostages, including women, children, and the elderly. The brutality of the Hamas assaults is shocking and unacceptable; and has no place – I repeat, has no place – in our world. Similarly, I condemn and reject any indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, and the scale of destruction of critical infrastructure by Israel. The ceaseless bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israel and its consequences are deeply alarming. The right of self-defence does not and cannot lawfully give licence to undertake indiscriminate and disproportionate reprisal. Thousands – especially children, women, and the elderly – are being killed, injured, maimed, and forcefully displaced, and hospitals are running tragically low on basic medical supplies. The rules of war dictate that on the ground, civilians and civilian installations must always be protected – at all costs. And here, in this august chamber, our pre-eminent priority must be to protect and to save civilian lives. It is also regrettable that among the appalling loss of lives are United Nations personnel – upon whom this organization depends to provide and deliver critical humanitarian support and other services to millions of Palestinians in dire need. I express my sincere solidarity with all those who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and their sense of security or belonging. And I join the Secretary-General in expressing my deepest condolences to the families of the 35 UN staff members who have lost their lives in the noble cause of humanitarian service. I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the entire UNRWA staff and other humanitarian workers for their continued unwavering and heroic efforts under these very distressing circumstances. Excellencies, All parties to this conflict must abide by international humanitarian law and immediately create the necessary conditions to allow for an opening of a humanitarian corridor to the Gaza Strip. We must ensure that urgently needed lifesaving assistance reaches those in need – from the delivery of basic food stuff to the safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff. Any action to the contrary – to deprive the people of Gaza unimpeded access to essential livelihood supplies – would be a clear violation of their human rights and an affront to international humanitarian law. We, the United Nations, cannot allow the fundamental principles of human rights and of international Law be compromised. As the United Nations, we are obliged to uphold them – without any conditions, or reservations, and certainly without any exceptions. Over the years, the United Nations has conducted successful humanitarian operations that have had significant impacts. I am both appreciative of and encouraged by the Israeli cooperation that led to the successful passage into Gaza of some aid trucks from Egypt. But this is clearly a drop in the ocean for Gaza’s 2 and a half million inhabitants – almost half of whom are children. Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, At this juncture, the most immediate step is clear – the violence must cease, and further bloodshed must be prevented. I call for the prompt and unconditional release of all hostages. I therefore call for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire. And, I also call for an immediate, unconditional opening of corridors of humanitarian assistance and relief. The only path to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace is a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with International Law, the UN Charter, and relevant United Nations resolutions – a solution that fulfils Israel’s legitimate needs for security, and that fulfils the State of Palestine’s legitimate aspirations for an independent state. Full text: