The Leaders of countries and their delegations have been meeting in New York, at the General Assembly of the United Nations.
The words in the title are those of Micheál Martin, Taoiseach of Ireland.
All the world leaders have been allocated time to address each other at the General Assembly. The floor of the United Nations is supposed to be a place of neutrality but the US refused to grant a visa to the leader of Palestine which meant he had to address his fellow leaders via a pre-recorded link. It has again raised questions of the suitability of the United Nations Building being in the US.
In his address, Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, said:
“Denying the Palestinian delegation access to the UN headquarters is a violation of the United States obligations as the host country, therefore, we call upon the American administration to lift these sanctions and restrictions, return to dialogue and mutual respect.”
In his statement he outlined the destruction being wreaked upon Gaza by Israel, and of the growing violence in The West Bank.
He continued:
“The crimes of land theft, home demolition checkpoints and raids continue under a system of laws, measures and practices all built on racial discrimination, ethnic cleansing and state terrorism…
“What is taking place in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem are not isolated incidents, but rather a malicious colonial scheme aimed at making the lives of Palestinians more difficult in their homeland and forcing them to leave it.
“We warn you today do not allow another Nakba to occur. Do not allow further massacres like those that occurred in 1948.”
And he concluded:
“Finally. I address the sons and daughters of our Palestinian people in their homeland and in the diaspora.
“You have painted the greatest picture of pride and dignity by holding steadfastly onto your land, your unity, and your legitimate rights. We will not leave our homeland.
“We will not accept displacement, and we will not allow anyone to decide our future on our behalf. We decide for ourselves.
“We will extend our hands to a peace based on international legitimacy, so that our freedom and independence can be achieved, and so that everyone in the region may live in security, peace and good neighbourliness.”
That pride of belonging to and caring for the land of Palestine was illustrated in Land of Canaan, a film which was shown at the Phoenix Cinema, Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall on Thursday 24 September. The film followed the harvest of olive farmers in Palestine and the care they have of these trees, some of which are thousands of years old. Olive trees which today are being bulldozed and set on fire by illegal Israeli settlers.
Land of Canaan was being shown as part of the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival, in partnership with Amnesty International, Orkney Friends of Palestine, Orkney Fair Trade Group and Unison Orkney Local Services. The film also shows the beauty of that ancient landscape but across its olive tree covered hills could also be seen the concrete wall of division erected by the Israeli military.
Several countries used their address to highlight the many horrific conflicts ongoing across the world, including : Sudan; Russia/Ukraine; and the US/Israel War of Choice with Iran.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was able to address the General Assembly in person despite there being an International Arrest Warrant out for him. Hundreds of delegates walked out as he reached the podium where he declared that Israel didn’t commit genocide but prevented it. He said:
“With our great American friends, we crushed Iran’s army, navy, air force, and nuclear facilities. Israel hammered Hamas, we pummelled Hezbollah. You remember the beepers? Remember these things.”
And with that he reminded the remaining delegates of the war crime he had committed when pagers sold to members of Hezbollah but also to ordinary people across Lebanon were detonated remotely in Israel on 17 September 2024 and injured thousands of innocent civilians. Twelve people were killed – including two children.
Today, Saturday 26 September, Peace activists in Orkney will again stand in vigil on the Kirk Green, outside St Magnus Cathedral, Broad Street, Kirkwall, between 1 and 2 pm. They welcome anyone to join them who wishes to see Peace and Justice for the region, and to continue to raise awareness of the thousands slaughtered in the Gaza Genocide.
Every weekend The Orkney News has been there to document a level of Peace activism never before seen in the islands.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in his first UN address as Prime Minister, reiterated his support for Israel, and the US but also said:
“Far too many people have died, including so many children. Far too little aid is getting in and it has gone on for far too long.
“Last month, Israel issued tenders for the construction of the E1 Mega settlement, which would drive a wedge through the West Bank and threaten to put a viable Palestinian state beyond reach. It cannot be allowed to happen.
“So we have acted by banning trade in goods with illegal settlements, recognizing that the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory is unlawful, and sanctioning those taking part in the construction of illegal settlement, we want to see the suffering and death finally come to an.”
The UK, however, continues to sell component parts for military weapons to Israel and the use of its base in Cyprus for RAF planes to fly to Nevatim Air Base in Israel.
Fiona Grahame