By Hosea Parah, Abuja
Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Nigeria has on Thursday reiterated the resolute resistance of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation during a press briefing in Abuja. The event marked the 76th anniversary of Al-Nakba, a period marred by the forced displacement of Palestinians from their ancestral land.
Ambassador Shawesh shed light on the continued challenges faced by the Palestinian population. He recounted the events of Al-Nakba, which occurred between 1947 and late 1948, and involved the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by European Jewish military groups. This devastating period witnessed over 70 massacres, including the infamous Deir Yassin massacre, which resulted in the loss of over 15,000 Palestinian lives. Additionally, 950,000 Palestinians were displaced as 531 villages and towns were erased.
The ambassador emphasized the dire impact of the ongoing genocidal war against the Palestinian people. He disclosed that 45,091 Palestinians, including 15,103 children and 9,961 women, have been martyred. Furthermore, 78,404 individuals, with children and women accounting for 72% of the victims, have suffered injuries. The destruction of vital infrastructure, including religious sites, housing units, schools, hospitals, and heritage sites, has further intensified the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Expressing gratitude, Ambassador Shawesh extended his appreciation to the 143 countries that supported the Palestinian motion for an upgraded statehood status in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This endorsement is viewed as a significant step towards achieving a two-state solution and a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian question. Special recognition was given to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their support.
Amid ongoing diplomatic talks and a proposed truce, the ambassador highlighted the Israeli military’s control over the Gaza-Egypt crossing, which has led to the isolation of Gaza from the rest of the world, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Ambassador Shawesh referred to a recent report by the Israel Information Center for Human Rights, which condemns Israel’s policies of starving Gazans as a war crime.
The ambassador also drew attention to the plight of aid workers in Gaza, who have become targets of Israeli airstrikes. He lamented that 250 aid workers lost their lives in the recent Israeli military aggressions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has made an appeal to the Israeli government to engage constructively in diplomatic talks and halt any further escalation.
Furthermore, Ambassador Shawesh condemned the recent attacks on the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem. He expressed solidarity with the agency and called for an end to the targeting of aid workers and humanitarian assets.
The statement also shed light on the challenges faced by Palestinian solidarity activists on college campuses worldwide. While expressions of support for oppressed communities are often protected as freedom of expression, students expressing solidarity with Palestinians face severe consequences, including expulsion, sanctions, imprisonment, and trials.
Ambassador Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh’s statement serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by the Palestinian people and their unwavering determination to resist the Israeli occupation. As the international community continues its pursuit of a peaceful resolution, the ambassador’s words underscore the urgent need to address the pressing humanitarian crisis and ensure justice for the Palestinian population.