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September 24 (EUROPA PRESS) –
King Abdullah II of Jordan told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that “the UN is under attack” and demanded that the international community establish a mechanism to protect the population in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“It is the moral duty of the international community to establish a protection mechanism for them in all the occupied territories. This will ensure the security of Palestinians and Israelis from extremists who are bringing the region to the brink of all-out war,” he said during his speech.
In this regard, he criticised those who “continue to propagate the idea of Jordan as an alternative homeland.” “We will never accept the forced displacement of Palestinians because that is a war crime,” the monarch said.
Abdullah II recalled that the “Israeli government’s assault” on Gaza “has led to one of the fastest death rates” in all recent conflicts. Israel, he said, “has killed more children, more journalists, more humanitarian workers and more medical personnel than in any other war in recent memory.”
“And in Jerusalem, flagrant violations of the historic status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites continue unabated under the protection and encouragement of members of the Israeli government,” he said, also focusing on “dangerous developments” in Lebanon.
UN UNABLE TO PROTECT CIVILIANS
Jordan’s Abdullah II has criticised the United Nations for failing to protect the Palestinian population, citing the example of the organisation’s trucks “standing still” in front of “hungry” civilians.
“For almost a year, the sky-blue flag flying over UN shelters and schools in Gaza has failed to protect innocent civilians from Israeli military bombardment,” he said, adding that UN workers are “disparaged and attacked.”
The monarch stressed that even the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are “challenged” by Israel. “It is not surprising that, both inside and outside this chamber, trust in the fundamental principles of the UN and in our values is crumbling. The harsh reality that many see is that some nations are above international law,” he added.
Similarly, Abdullah II criticised the Assembly for the fact that the Arab world “has extended its hand to Israel, offering full recognition and normalisation” of relations in exchange for peace in the Middle East. “Impunity is gaining strength,” he said.
However, he said that Israel’s “impunity” is “becoming its worst enemy.” “Mass protests have taken place in cities around the world and calls for sanctions are growing louder. International frustration with Israel is growing,” he argued.
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