New york: The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Minister Riyad Mansour, has made a strong statement at a UN Security Council meeting, asserting that Israel has chosen annexation over peace. He delivered these remarks during a session focused on the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian question, which was chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Mansour highlighted that the holy month of Ramadan arrives this year under conditions where Palestinians are restricted from practicing their religious rites freely. He accused Israel of displacing Palestinians to seize their land and expressed that recent Israeli actions make annexation apparent, which could determine the region's future and potentially lead to its failure.
Mansour criticized the Israeli government's perception of Palestinians as outsiders, emphasizing their refusal to acknowledge Palestinians as a nation. He described this stance as racist and the foundation for illegal policies. He cited comments by Israeli officials that reinforce the annexation agenda, including statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and a past remark by the Israeli Foreign Minister regarding Gaza.
Mansour reported that the international community, including over 100 countries and organizations, condemned Israeli annexation measures, with the Security Council members considering it a violation of international law. He underscored the importance of the Security Council's duty to act and questioned Israel's actions in light of broad international opposition.
The Observer accused Israel of undermining the ceasefire in Gaza by restricting aid and closing crossings, while the Palestinian Authority was marginalized in its rightful role. He referenced President Trump's peace plan as a missed opportunity for achieving peace through a ceasefire and ending annexation and forced displacement.
Mansour concluded by stating that Israel has chosen annexation over peace, urging a firm international response to prevent further land seizures. He advocated for affirming the territorial unity of Palestine, warning against allowing the two-state solution to become an illusion.