24 September 2024
Excerpts from UN Secretary-General’s remarks
at the Opening of the General Debate
of the 79th Session of the General Assembly
(Excerpt on the Situation in Gaza)
/…
Let’s be clear.
Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7th, or the taking of hostages – both of which I have repeatedly condemned.
And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as Secretary-General.
More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families.
And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.
I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.
The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process towards a two-State solution.
For those who go on undermining that goal with more settlements, more landgrabs, more incitement — I ask:
What is the alternative?
How could the world accept a one-state future in which a large a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, rights or dignity?
/…
Document Sources: Secretary-General
Subject: Access and movement, Armed conflict, Assistance, Ceasefire, Gaza Strip, Hostages, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Israeli settlements, Palestine question, Peace process, Refugees and displaced persons, Two State solution
Publication Date: 24/09/2024
URL source: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-09-24/secretary-generals-remarks-the-opening-of-the-general-debate-of-the-seventy-ninth-session-of-the-general-assembly-trilingual-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-english-and