By Hosea Parah, Abuja
In a passionate plea for international support, Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, the Palestinian Ambassador to the State of Palestine, highlighted the urgency of maintaining international law and rejecting the law of the jungle amidst the ongoing Israeli war against the Palestinian people. With the conflict now spanning over 243 days, Ambassador Shawesh emphasized the need for immediate action to address the dire situation faced by Palestinians.
A statement by Ambassador Shawesh on Wednesday in Abuja,expressing gratitude towards the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its clear support of the Palestinian cause, He urged Nigeria to utilize its esteemed political influence to secure balance on the international stage and prevent the dominance of jungle law. He also acknowledged Slovenia’s recent recognition of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, following an overwhelming vote in its parliament.
The devastating toll of the conflict was highlighted by Ambassador Shawesh, who cited the alarming statistics of Palestinian casualties. As of June 4th, the number of Palestinian martyrs stood at 36,550, with 82,959 injured and nearly 10,000 missing under the rubble. The majority of the victims were women and children, further highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
The Ambassador also shed light on the unequal access to water resources, with Israeli control over 88% of Palestinian water sources in the Occupied West Bank. This control allows Israeli settlers to freely access the water while Palestinian citizens face severe shortages, consuming only a fraction of the required amount. Ambassador Shawesh labeled this disparity as yet another example of racist and supremacist practices.
Drawing attention to the impact of the conflict on infrastructure, a preliminary satellite analysis conducted by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) revealed that approximately 55% of all structures in Gaza have been destroyed, damaged, or possibly damaged. This further exacerbates the dire living conditions faced by Palestinians.
Highlighting Israel’s actions to consolidate its occupation, Ambassador Shawesh called on national parliaments worldwide to sever their relations with Israel until it reviews and dismantles its racist laws. He emphasized the need to halt the establishment of settler posts on Palestinian lands, which ultimately become recognized settlements.
The Ambassador also highlighted recent attempts by the Israeli occupation to sever ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and label it as a terrorist organization. Despite failing to provide accurate evidence linking UNRWA staff to a previous incident, the Israeli occupation has initiated steps to cut ties with the agency. The European Union (EU) has condemned these attempts, recognizing the crucial role of UNRWA in humanitarian response in Gaza.
Amidst these challenges, Ambassador Shawesh also expressed concerns over the suppression of freedom of expression in some Western democratic countries when it comes to criticizing the Israeli occupation. He emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of expression and ensuring that legitimate criticism is not labeled as hate speech or anti-Semitism.
Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh’s powerful message serves as a call to action for the international community to address the ongoing Israeli war against the Palestinian people. The urgency of maintaining international law, supporting Palestinian rights, and working towards a just and lasting solution to the conflict cannot be understated.