In an extraordinary and historic assembly, the UN highlighted yesterday in New York the growing support for the Palestinian state, the two-state solution in the Middle East, and condemned the genocide being perpetrated by Israel under the pretext of the terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023. With the recent addition of powerful nations such as France, Britain, Australia, and other significant countries, 157 nations now recognise the Palestinian state, driven by the efforts of Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, who spoke around 22:00 hours in the Canary Islands.
The Prime Minister reminded attendees that, “at this very moment, bombs continue to fall indiscriminately on the Gazan population, and hunger is killing women, the elderly, and children”. He emphasised that the UN Conference is crucial because “we are taking a critical step by advocating for the two-state solution, but let’s be clear: there can be no viable solution when the population of one of those states is a victim of genocide”.
Sánchez opened his address by appealing to human dignity: “In the name of International Law and in the name of human dignity, we must stop this slaughter now”, he asserted from the United Nations podium during the high-level conference organised by France and Saudi Arabia, after denouncing that “the Palestinian people are being annihilated”.
He added that “we all know that the only hope for civilians in Gaza is to know that the world has not forgotten them; this Conference nourishes that hope. It represents an act of moral defiance against indifference and forgetfulness”.
Sánchez proposed two specific measures
- “The State of Palestine must be a full member of the United Nations”.
- “Immediate measures must be taken to halt the barbarity and make peace possible”.
He reiterated that “Spain will adopt a plan to stop the genocide in Gaza and will continue to take bold measures with those who wish to join, because Gaza needs it”. He also warned that “history will judge us and will be relentless towards those who perpetrated this barbarity and towards those who remained silent or turned a blind eye”.
