Senator Iroegbu
The Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, Amb. Abdullah Abu Shawesh, has strongly criticised the United States’ decision to veto Palestine’s bid for full membership at the United Nations. In a statement released over the weekend, Ambassador Shawesh also drew attention to the distressing situation in Gaza, where children are suffering from violence and deprivation amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Expressing his dismay at the US veto, Ambassador Shawesh stated, “The USA’s refusal to support Palestine’s legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination, is deeply concerning.” He emphasised that the current crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by the political and military support provided by the United States to Israel.
Highlighting the humanitarian impact of the conflict, Ambassador Shawesh quoted various sources reporting a high number of child casualties in Gaza. He referenced statements from journalists and human rights organisations describing the dire conditions faced by children, including shortages of essential resources like water, food, fuel, and medicine.
Providing grim statistics, Ambassador Shawesh revealed that as of April 12, 2024, about 33,634 Palestinians had been killed or wounded in the Gaza Strip, with many more displaced from their homes. He called for urgent international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis, including the removal of debris from bombed buildings, the rescue of trapped individuals, and the retrieval of bodies.
Turning to the issue of Palestinian statehood recognition at the UN, Ambassador Shawesh appealed for broad international support. He noted that previous attempts to secure full membership for Palestine had been thwarted by the US veto and urged the international community to rally behind Palestine’s quest for recognition.
In conclusion, Ambassador Shawesh echoed concerns raised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the military strategy employed in Gaza. He called for independent investigations into reported incidents and stressed the need for meaningful changes to prevent further loss of life. Additionally, he expressed alarm at reports of using artificial intelligence in targeting decisions, stressing that such decisions should not be left to algorithms.
Read full statement: