25 August 2014 – More Death and Destruction by Israel, the occupying Power

Excellency,

I am compelled to again draw your attention to the horrific situation in the Occupied State of Palestine, as we enter the 51st day of the Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. In the four days since my last letter to you, Israel, the occupying Power, has not relented with its airstrikes against densely-populated civilian areas in Gaza, intentionally killing and injuring more Palestinian civilians, destroying more homes and infrastructure and displacing hundreds of more families in addition to the over half-million civilians already displaced by this Israeli onslaught against our people, the majority of whom continue to shelter in UNRWA schools. Specifically, the level of premeditated death and destruction imposed on the Gaza Strip by the occupying Power has surpassed merely immoral, inhumane behavior and constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity, for which Israel must be fully held accountable.

The stories, photos and social media voices coming out of Gaza are horrifying and even those cannot convey the extent of the misery being deliberately inflicted by Israel on the Palestinian civilian population in grave breach of international humanitarian law.   The figures since the start of this barbaric aggression in early July now stand as follows: at least 2,130 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, including an estimated 577 children, 261 women and 101 elderly people.

Almost 10,870 other Palestinians, most civilians, have been injured including some 3,300 children, more than 2,000 women and roughly 400 elderly people. Of those killed during the past seven weeks of Israeli bombardment of Gaza, it is estimated that 90 families have been decimated, with the killing of 530 family members. These shocking figures do not include the dead that have yet to be recovered from the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings struck by Israeli missiles and bombs and do not include those who continue to tragically die from the wounds sustained in Israeli attacks. [Read more…]

Statement by Ambassador Dr. Riyad Mansour, before the United Nations Security Council, Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestine Question on 24 April 2013

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Mr. President,

I am honored to address the Security Council today, and I congratulate you and your friendly country Rwanda on your presidency and skilled leadership. We also express appreciation to the Russian Federation for its leadership of the Council in March.

I thank Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, for his briefing on developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as in the region.

[Read more…]

Statement by H.E. Dr. Riad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine, before the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East including the Palestine Question on 23 January 2013

Mr. President,

On behalf of the State of Palestine, I congratulate you and your friendly country Pakistan on your presidency and wise stewardship of the Security Council.  We also express deep appreciation to fraternal Kingdom of Morocco for its skilled leadership of the Council in December.

I thank Mr. Robert Serry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Special Coordinator of the United Nations, for his briefing today and for his tireless efforts on the ground.

[Read more…]

Statement by Ambassador Dr. Riyad Mansour, before the United Nations Security Council, Meeting on the Israeli Military Aggression against the Gaza Strip

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Mr. President,

For the second time in the course of a week, I come before the Security Council, upon the instructions of the Palestinian leadership under President Mahmoud Abbas, to appeal once again for the Council to uphold its Charter duties for the maintenance of international peace and security and to act forthwith for the protection of civilian lives, which are being lost and destroyed with each passing minute of the brutal Israeli military aggression being waged against the Gaza Strip. I speak on behalf of a gravely suffering people – the Palestinian people – who are enduring yet another barrage of death, destruction, trauma and terror at the hands of the Israeli occupying forces.  [Read more…]