UN Secretary-General calls for renewed commitment to Palestinian cause

Palestine

Published: 2020-11-29 15:25

Last Updated: 2024-03-26 18:22


Photo: UN
Photo: UN

On Sunday's International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres called on people across the world to renew their commitment to Palestinian rights.

"We must also do all we can to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people," said Guterres in a statement.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the Palestinian economy and undermined the already fragile humanitarian, economic and political situation in Gaza, further entrenched by crippling restrictions on movement and access."

He continued that a two-state solution is growing "more distant," largely due to Israeli Occupation settlements in the West Bank, and urged Palestinian and Israeli Occupation leaders to resume critical discussions.

Currently, there are around 500,000 Israeli Occupation settlements in the West Bank.

Guterres also expressed his concern for the financial state of UNRWA, which, due largely to the coronavirus pandemic and the withdrawal of financial support from the US, has left dozens of essential services in question.

UNRWA reported in late December that it would have trouble paying the salaries of its staff through November and December.

"I appeal to all Member States to urgently contribute to enable UNRWA to meet the critical humanitarian and development needs of Palestine refugees during the pandemic," pleaded Guterres.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people has been celebrated annually on Nov. 29 since 1977, with the aim of garnering support for Palestinian rights.