28 October 2024
Statement of the Secretary-General on Israeli legislation on UNRWA
I am deeply concerned by the adoption today by the Knesset of Israel of two laws concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which, if implemented, would likely prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as mandated by the UN General Assembly.
In the name of humanity, the Secretary-General reiterates his calls for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and accountability for crimes under international law.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed shock at the “harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction” in north Gaza amid an ongoing intense Israeli military operation, his Spokesperson said on Sunday.
Das Aussendepartement hat den israelischen Vorstoss in einen UN-Stützpunkt verurteilt.
Zuvor hatten israelische Panzer das Tor zu einer Unifil-Einrichtung durchbrochen, über ein Dutzend Blauhelme wurden verletzt.
Auch der Papst hat dazu aufgerufen, die «Friedenstruppen zu respektieren».
(Issued on: 13/10/2024 – 22:57)
„In a deeply worrying incident that occurred today, the entrance door of a UN position was deliberately breached by IDF armored vehicles,“ he added in a statement.
At least five peacekeepers have been wounded in recent days as Israel targets Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Madame President, Excellencies,
The raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno.
Exactly one week ago, I briefed the Security Council about the alarming situation in Lebanon.
Since then, things have gone from bad to much, much worse….
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday reiterated his urgent call for an end to violence and a diplomatic resolution in the Middle East shortly after Israel‘s foreign minister declared that the U.N. chief was barred from entering the country, a move that drew international condemnation.
„The raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno,“ Guterres told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, denouncing Israel‘s „relentless airstrikes across Lebanon,“ devastation of the Gaza Strip, and obstruction of a cease-fire agreement that could pull the region back from the brink of all-out war.
Israel‘s foreign minister said on Wednesday that he was barring U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country because he had not „unequivocally“ condemned Iran‘s missile attack on Israel.
Categories
Meetings & Events / General Assembly / 79th Session / Plenary
Production Date
24 Sep 2024
Video Length
00:25:07
Asset Language
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
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Original
Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great.
That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good.
You proved that is not true.
The Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.
It is not the end.
It is a start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind.
Let‘s keep going.
Let‘s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.
The people of the world are looking to us – and succeeding generations will look back on us.
Let them find us on the side of the United Nations Charter … on the side of our shared values and principles … and on the right side of history.
Following reports of alleged Israeli strikes inside Iran near a nuclear power station early Friday, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a new appeal to all parties to “stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East”.
“The Secretary-General condemns any act of retaliation and appeals to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond,” he said in a statement issued by his Office.
The people of the Middle East are facing a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict, António Guterres said on Sunday, urging “maximum restraint” across a region on the brink hours after Iran launched attack drones and missiles against Israel overnight Saturday.
“It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East…Now is the time for maximum restraint,” the UN Secretary-General told delegates at the opening of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
“Here from this crossing, we see the heartbreak and heartlessness of it all,” he said, pointing to a long line of blocked relief trucks on one side of the gates and the “long shadow of starvation on the other”.
“That is more than tragic; moral outrage,” he said, adding that “any further onslaught will make everything worse” for Palestinian civilians, hostages and all people of the region.
All this demonstrates that it’s more than time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for “an ironclad commitment by Israel for total, unfettered access for humanitarian goods throughout Gaza”, he said, emphasizing that in the Ramadan spirit of compassion, it’s time for the immediate release of all hostages.
He also urged all UN Member States to support the “lifesaving work led by the backbone of all Gaza relief operations, UNRWA”, the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees.
Pledging to continue working with Egypt to streamline the flow of aid, he had a message for Palestinians in Gaza: “you are not alone.”
(search results)
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Rudaw’s Sinan Tuncdemir on Tuesday that they were “very concerned” about the Iranian attack, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any escalation.
“We are, of course, against any attacks that violate the territorial integrity of any country. Every dispute needs to be dealt with through peaceful means, through dialogue, and within the ideals contained in the UN charter which are about sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country,” said Dujarric.
The Islamic Republic of Iran asks the Secretary-General and the UN Security Council to immediately and unequivocally condemn this terrible terrorist attack, he added.
Article 7
1. There are established as principal organs of the United Nations: a General Assembly, a Security Council, an Economic and Social Council, a Trusteeship Council, an International Court of Justice and a Secretariat.
(…)
Article 94
1. Each Member of the United Nations undertakes to comply with the decision of the International Court of Justice in any case to which it is a party.
2. If any party to a case fails to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment rendered by the Court, the other party may have recourse to the Security Council, which may, if it deems necessary, make recommendations or decide upon measures to be taken to give effect to the judgment.
(…)
Article 96
– The General Assembly or the Security Council may request the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion on any legal question.
– Other organs of the United Nations and specialized agencies, which may at any time be so authorized by the General Assembly, may also request advisory opinions of the Court on legal questions arising within the scope of their activities.
Last week, I delivered a letter to the President of the Security Council, invoking Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations for the first time since I became Secretary-General in 2017.
I wrote that there is no effective protection of civilians in Gaza. As a matter of fact, during my mandate the number of civilian casualties in Gaza in such a short period is totally unprecedented.
The health care system is collapsing. I expect public order to completely break down soon and an even worse situation could unfold, including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt.
I said that we are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system. The situation is fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region.
And I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.
Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary. So, I can promise I will not give up.
Also addressing the conference in Qatar, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the dehumanisation of Palestinians has allowed the international community to tolerate Israel’s continued bombardment of Gaza, which has led to more than 17,000 deaths since 7 October.
“There is no doubt that a humanitarian ceasefire is needed if we want to put an end to hell of earth right now in Gaza”, said Philippe Lazzarini.
„The Security Council,
PP1. Recalling its resolutions on the situation on the Middle East,
PP2. Taking note of and acting upon the letter dated 6 December 2023 of the Secretary-General, under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations, addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2023/962),
PP3. Expressing grave concern over the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population,
OP1. Demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire;
OP2. Reiterates its demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians;
OP3. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council on an urgent and continuing basis on the state of implementation of the present resolution;
OP4. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.“
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
Description
Letter dated 6 December 2023 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2023/962).
Related Sites and Documents
S/2023/962
webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19/k1…
Available in: لعربية 中文 English Français Русский Español
More than 130 of my colleagues have already been killed, many with their families. (…)
More than 17,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the start of Israel’s military operations. This includes more than 4,000 women and 7,000 children. Tens of thousands are reported to have been injured, and many are missing, presumably under the rubble.
All these numbers are increasing by the day. (…)
At least 286 health workers have been killed. (…)
I urge the Council to spare no effort to push for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the protection of civilians, and for the urgent delivery of lifesaving aid.
While we deal with the current crisis, we cannot lose sight of the only viable possibility for a peaceful future: a two-State solution, on the basis of United Nations resolutions and international law, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security.
This is vital for Israelis, Palestinians, and for international peace and security.
The eyes of the world – and the eyes of history – are watching.
It’s time to act.
The Council must act
(December 7, 2023)
Meanwhile, in New York, Ecuador – which holds the presidency of the Security Council, announced that an emergency meeting to discuss the Palestine-Israel crisis would take place at 10 AM local time in New York on Friday.
UN chief António Guterres called on the 15-member Council on Wednesday – invoking the rare but powerful Chapter 99 tool – to “press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe” and unite in a call for a full humanitarian ceasefire.
At the United Nations in New York it‘s considered „a nuclear option“ for the Secretary General to invoke Article 99 of the UN charter as he did yesterday in a letter to the Security Council.
It’s a sign that the UN leadership feels it has run out of options trying to cajole and pressure the Council – the UN’s highest decision-making body – into action.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the invocation of a rare clause ordering the UN Security Council to meet to discuss an urgent ceasefire in Israel’s ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza.
Facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, I urge the Council to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe & appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.
I am deeply shocked that two UNRWA schools were struck in less than 24 hours in Gaza. Dozens of people – many women and children – were killed and injured as they were seeking safety in United Nations premises.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians are seeking shelter at United Nations facilities throughout Gaza due to the intensified fighting. I reaffirm that our premises are inviolable.
This war is having a staggering and unacceptable number of civilian casualties, including women and children, every day. This must stop.
I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
Press statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the situation in the Middle East.
I reiterate my utter condemnation of the abhorrent acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October – and repeat my call for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of hostages held in Gaza.
Nothing can justify the deliberate torture, killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians.
The protection of civilians must be paramount.
I am deeply concerned about clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing.
Let me be clear: No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.
(28.10.2023)
UN Secretary-General António Guterres began his official visit to Nepal by extending deep condolences to the families of the 10 Nepalese students killed in the terror attacks by Hamas in Israel, and once again called for the protection of all civilians in Gaza, where, he said, “the situation is growing more desperate by the hour.”
Der SWR bekam eine Droh-Mail, wie sie laut Polizeiangaben wortgleich auch an viele andere Einrichtungen am Dienstag gegangen ist. Die E-Mail war kurz und allgemein formuliert, ohne eine persönliche Anrede. Außerdem war die Drohung nicht auf Deutsch verfasst, sondern in einer anderen Sprache.
Regierungssprecher Hebestreit betonte, dass Guterres weiter Vertrauen genieße. Rücktrittsforderungen, wie sie etwa der israelische UN-Botschafter Erdan geäußert hat, nannte Hebestreit unangebracht.