Ambassador Mansour suggests ‘diplomatic hope’ for the Palestinian plight

United Nations

Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali

Permenant Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour convenes the international press with a sense of ‘diplomatic belief’. Appalled by the ongoing tragedies and “indiscriminate killing of journalists and humanitarian aid workers”, Mansour briefs on key updates that signify hope for renewed dialouge on an effective two state solution.

“This crime against humanity,” he said, already has the backing of 14 Security Council members. He noted that all but one nation are committed to the plight of the Palestinians and fully support the following measures: a comprehensive ceasefire to end violence and civilian casualties; “humanitarian assistance on a scale that cannot be denied by the occupying power”; and strong condemnation of escalating military operations in Gaza City, as well as the growing displacement aimed at annexing the occupied West Bank.

With the United States as the only Security Council member opposing the proposal, Mansour stated that “there is a draft resolution under consultation by the E10 as we speak.” Expressing hope that the proposal will push the U.S. to honor its obligations under the UN Charter to preserve international peace and security, Mansour warned that if the resolution is blocked again, Palestine will turn to the General Assembly for an emergency meeting.

Mansour also announced that a high-level summit on the situation in Palestine, chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, will be held at the United Nations on September 22. The meeting will bring together multiple heads of state and delegations, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Ahead of the summit and the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced it would deny and revoke visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Responding to the move, Mansour said, “We will see exactly what this means, how it applies to our delegation, and we will respond accordingly.”

Mansour concluded his briefing by urging members of the press to continue their diligent work and vital reporting. While acknowledging the “tremendous crimes against journalists,” with more than 240 reported dead, he stressed, “We have a duty not to let our grandchildren wonder where we were when genocide was being committed in the Gaza Strip.”

Mansour closed his briefing by thanking the Secretary-General and his team for reaffirming their firm stance on Palestine, praising their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and their refusal to “cave under pressure in the face of famine in Gaza, the suffering of civilians, and Israel’s ongoing military campaign.” He also highlighted that more than 140 member states have taken the ‘necessary steps’ toward recognizing a Palestinian state.