New York (UN) – Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ammar Benjamaa, called on the international community on Tuesday to “work together” to initiate a “genuine peace process” that would bring an end to the occupation of Arab lands, which he described as the “prerequisite for achieving a just and lasting peace” in the Middle East.
Speaking during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, Ambassador Benjamaa stressed:
“The suffering of the Palestinian people is not just a humanitarian crisis but a deeply-rooted political issue stemming from decades of occupation and repression dating back to the Nakba.” He added, “The core issue in the Middle East is the occupation.”
Call for an Unconditional Ceasefire
Ambassador Benjamaa emphasized that lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without addressing this fundamental issue. He urged members of the Security Council to “work together to impose an immediate and unconditional ceasefire” in Gaza and Lebanon and to launch a peace process aimed at ending the occupation of all Arab territories.
He also condemned the “growing violence” Palestinians have faced for more than a year, pointing out that the international community’s failure to defend Palestinian rights has exacerbated the crisis.
Threats to Regional and Global Stability
The Algerian envoy warned that the “brutal Zionist aggression is expanding by the day, now encompassing Lebanon, Syria, and other areas,” posing a serious threat to regional stability and global peace and security.
He lamented the collapse of the post-World War II international framework, noting that the current system has failed to hold the occupying force accountable:
“We are witnessing the triumph of force over justice in today’s world.”
Gaza: A Humanitarian Catastrophe
Ambassador Benjamaa described the situation in northern Gaza as “extremely catastrophic,” noting that the destruction of Gaza is not driven by military objectives but is part of a deliberate policy to forcibly displace Palestinians from their homes.
He also warned that Gaza’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, while conditions in southern Gaza “are hardly any better.” The Algerian diplomat stressed that the blockade imposed by the occupier has plunged civilians, especially children, into starvation by denying them access to essential food supplies.
In this context, he highlighted that over 200,000 humanitarian aid trucks were prevented from entering Gaza in the past year, exposing “the true face of the Zionist occupation” and its “inhumane treatment” of Palestinians.
Condemnation of Actions Against UNRWA
Ambassador Benjamaa also strongly condemned the Israeli regime’s obstruction of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), reminding the international community that the agency operates under a mandate from the UN General Assembly.
“This justifies our collective defense and support for UNRWA,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of the agency for thousands of Palestinian refugees.
He further condemned the ongoing attacks on UNRWA personnel, revealing that 231 individuals have been killed so far and that 190 UNRWA facilities have been targeted in airstrikes.
“There is no substitute for UNRWA,” he insisted, adding, “The agency must continue to serve as a lifeline for Palestinian refugees until a fair political solution is reached with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”
Attacks on Freedom of Expression and Journalists
Ambassador Benjamaa also decried the violation of freedom of expression in the occupied Palestinian territories, condemning the “deafening silence” of the international community regarding these flagrant abuses. He questioned, “Where are the voices of those who once championed freedom of expression?”
He accused the Israeli occupation of attempting to suppress the truth, stressing that “even if they try to erase it, the truth cannot be hidden.”
The Algerian diplomat revealed that the occupation has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza for over a year, noting that Palestinian journalists remaining in northern Gaza are now direct targets of the Israeli military. He reported that 168 journalists in Gaza and dozens more in Lebanon have been killed.
Quoting the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Ambassador Benjamaa stated that targeting journalists is a deliberate strategy by the Israeli regime to “prevent the documentation of its crimes.”
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Author: nor-eleslam
peace process in the Middle East, Israeli occupation, Palestinian humanitarian crisis, ceasefire in Gaza, support for UNRWA
