New York, The Kingdom of Bahrain has urged the international community to shoulder its humanitarian responsibilities in responding to the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), adopted by a majority of 121 countries, against the backdrop of the unfortunate situation in the Gaza Strip and its grave humanitarian repercussions, which calls for an immediate humanitarian, lasting and sustainable truce leading to a cessation of hostilities and immediate action to preserve lives and property and the security and stability of the region.
The statements were made by the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Jamal Fares Al-Ruwaei, while addressing the 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is resuming its work at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The Permanent Representative said that the adoption of the General Assembly resolution reflects the world’s demands to take action to stop the war, and that it is time to respond to these demands, calling for greater efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire that guarantees the safety and security of all parties, working to implement the resolutions of international legitimacy on the Palestinian issue, as well as supporting the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
He noted that priority must be given to the protection of civilians on both sides of the conflict in these conditions, and that the international community should not hesitate to condemn any action that leads to the loss of innocent lives, especially standing against the killing of children and women, as death and destruction will not solve the fundamental issue but will create angry and vengeful generations.
Ambassador Al-Ruwaei underlined the importance of continued diplomatic efforts by all regional and international parties to de-escalate the situation through an immediate ceasefire, the end of military operations, the protection of innocent civilians on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides and the release of all prisoners, hostages and detainees, as well as the cessation of any practices that could lead to an increase in the cycle of violence.
He appreciated the call of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and all his sincere endeavours to promote the role and responsibilities of the United Nations and the service of humanity.
He also reiterated the need to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, open humanitarian corridors and facilitate unhindered flows of medical aid, food, water, fuel and electricity to Gaza, stop targeting residential neighbourhoods, health, education and social facilities, places of worship and infrastructure, and reject any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinians from their land and homes, in line with international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.
The Permanent Representative said that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, affirms that the two-state solution is the peaceful means, because there will be no stability in the Middle East without securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in order to reach a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region.
He also reiterated the Kingdom’s firm position in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to establish an independent and sovereign State on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-State solution, based on the international law, the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of the Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly.
He added that the continued escalation in the Gaza Strip will lead to a new cycle of violence in the region, victimizing civilians and innocent people, with more suffering and violations, therefore it is necessary to unite all efforts to contain this crisis and its catastrophic humanitarian consequences, and work to establish the foundations of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace by preparing for dialogue and peaceful negotiations, in accordance with the rules of international law, for the security, stability, prosperity and dignity of all the peoples of the region.
Source: Bahrain News Agency