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Guterres: UN committed to peace ‘based on end to occupation’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reaffirmed the organisation’s “hope” for a two-state solution, calling it the only long-lasting path to peace for both Israelis and Palestinians along with the whole region.
“The UN is totally committed to supporting a pathway to peace, based on an end to the occupation and the establishment of a fully independent, democratic, viable, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part,” he said in a statement.
This is the moment to reaffirm our hope for, and contributions to, a two-state solution -- the only sustainable path to peace & security for Israelis, Palestinians & the wider region.
The @UN is totally committed to supporting a pathway to peace, based on an end to the… pic.twitter.com/Qeh9NjQSxF
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 1, 2024
‘Time to recognise State of Palestine is now’: UN ambassador
Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s ambassador to the UN, is calling on the countries that have not recognised a State of Palestine to do so now.
This comes after Barbados and Jamaica became the latest to recognise Palestine, joining 140 others.
“For those who have not yet recognised a State of Palestine, we say there are no grounds for further delay. Those who want to destroy a Palestinian state and with it any chance for peace are not waiting,” Mansour said during a speech at UN headquarters in New York.
“If you wonder if you are on the right side of history, ask yourselves one question: ‘Is what I’m doing advocating freedom and peace or enabling continued oppression and conflict?’ You should ask yourself that question.”
"The time for recognition of the State of Palestine is right now. We are grateful to Barbados & Jamaica for their decisions immediately after the SC vote on admission to recognize the State of Palestine, joining 140 states that had undertaken such an important step" (pt.1/2) pic.twitter.com/wpoObw3KU9
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) May 1, 2024
UN calls for end to West Bank violence after 14 killed in refugee camp
Amid daily violent raids on occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank, the latest Israeli military raid on the Nur Shams refugee camp left 14 Palestinians dead in late April.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has released images showing the aftermath of the raid that also destroyed UN buildings, and has called for an end to the violence.
“Everyone in this area was in danger. It was just terrorising, no more, no less. Just terror,” said Musa Salah, a resident of the camp.
A military operation in Nour Shams refugee camp in the #WestBank killed 14 #PalestineRefugees and left many others without a home. @UNRWA facilities were destroyed.
The escalation of violence in the West Bank needs to stop. Civilians and @UN buildings are #NotATarget pic.twitter.com/CTJ8Z2iyYZ
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 1, 2024
‘Nothing would be delivered without UNRWA coordination’: Spokesperson
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/1/gaza-for-israel-both-threat-and-opportunity
As Israel continues to promise a devastating ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza and tries to dismantle the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the humanitarian conditions there are dire.
“UNRWA is not only the backbone of the humanitarian operation in the Gaza Strip but also the glue that holds it together,” a Rafah-based spokesperson for the organisation has told Al Jazeera.
“Nothing would be delivered or provided without the coordination of our UNRWA colleagues here,” Louise Wateridge said.
Colombia’s president says country will sever ties with Israel
Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he will break diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza.
Petro has already heavily criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and requested to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
