New york: The Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour, has sent three identical letters addressing ongoing Israeli violations to the UN Secretary-General, the President of the Security Council, and the President of the UN General Assembly. These letters focus on Israel’s continuous colonial, racist, and genocidal policies against the Palestinian people.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Mansour highlighted that the new year has commenced with ongoing Israeli aggression and colonial attacks, resulting in the killing and injury of Palestinians, destruction of property, and forced displacement of families. He emphasized the escalating detention campaigns, including those involving children, noting that the number of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel has exceeded 10,000.
Mansour also pointed out the rapid increase of settlement construction across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which he described as a blatant violation of international law, UN resolutions, and International Court of Justice rulings. He expressed concern over the simultaneous intensification of Israeli actions against UNRWA and international NGOs in Palestinian territories, including recent legislation aiming to deprive Palestinians of vital support amid the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Addressing the situation in the Gaza Strip, Mansour described the severe shortages of basic necessities faced by displaced residents, despite a ceasefire. He criticized the ongoing blockade and closure of crossings, including Rafah, and the escalation of illegal policies in the occupied territories through military raids and attacks on civilians.
Mansour condemned the confiscation of Palestinian land, house demolitions, ethnic cleansing, and the construction of new settlement units. He warned that the settlement plans in the E-1 area threaten to divide the West Bank and further isolate East Jerusalem.
He called on the international community to denounce these illegal actions and urged for practical measures to halt these crimes, advocating for accountability in line with international law and United Nations resolutions. He stressed the importance of compelling Israel to adhere to international law and recognize the rights of the Palestinian people.