By Manal El Warraky
The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Wasil, called for a ceasefire in Gaza, welcoming the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Ambassador Al-Wasil said in a statement he delivered before the United Nations General Assembly at its tenth emergency special session resumed on Palestine to consider the two resolutions submitted to the General Assembly on supporting UNRWA and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza: The arbitrary use of the veto and selectivity in applying international law contributed to the continuation of the war of genocide and the persistence of Israeli crimes in Gaza and the expansion of the scope of aggression, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, welcoming a ceasefire in Lebanon and denouncing Israeli violations of it.
The statement stressed the vital role of UNRWA and condemned Israeli legislation against it and its systematic targeting, calling for effective participation in the high-level international conference to resolve the Palestinian issue, which will be held next June in New York City under the joint presidency of the Kingdom and France.
He also affirmed the firm support for the Palestinian people and their rights, noting that peace is the strategic choice based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York expressed his condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, which confirm Israel’s continued violation of international law and its determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity, and to emphasize the Arab and Syrian identity of the occupied Golan.
The delegation voted in favor of the two resolutions, with the vote on the resolution to support UNRWA receiving (159) votes in favor of the draft resolution, (9) votes against the draft resolution, and (11) countries abstaining. As for the draft resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza, it received (158) votes in favor, (9) votes against, and (13) countries abstaining.
