View the world

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 23: The general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly opened on the 22nd at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. In their speeches, leaders of many countries called on the international community to face up to the Palestinian issue and condemned Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and its violations of the sovereignty of Syria and Lebanon. United Nations Secretary-General Guterres said that time is running out for a “two-state solution”.

On September 22, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Fengguo

Jordan: Israel’s “expansion ambitions” pose threat

King Abdullah II of Jordan said in his speech that for decades, the international community has chosen to “manage” rather than face the Palestinian-Israeli conflict head-on. However, Israel continues to launch attacks, destroy civilian infrastructure, and refuses to withdraw its troops, squeezing the Gaza people into less than one-third of Gaza’s area. Only by confronting these realities can accountability truly begin.

Abdullah II said the international community should abandon the misconception that Gaza and the West Bank are separate issues. The two places are two battlefields of the same Israeli strategy, both of which have made it impossible to establish a “viable Palestinian state.”

He said Israel’s “expansion ambitions” had posed a regional threat. He cited the situation in Syria as an example and called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to invasion, expansion and other actions.

Türkiye: Gaza reconstruction must start immediately

Turkish President Erdogan said that “the reconstruction of Gaza must start immediately” and that all countries should put more pressure on Israel.

Erdogan said that people in Gaza are still looking for their relatives under the rubble, and Gaza has become the “largest children’s cemetery” and one of the areas with the highest child amputation rate. Regarding the situation in the West Bank, Erdogan said that the area is suffering from severe Jewish settler violence.

He opposed weakening or closing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, once again called on countries that have not yet recognized the Palestinian state to “reconsider,” and called it “unjust” that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was unable to attend the UN General Assembly for two consecutive years.

When Erdogan spoke, the Israeli delegation walked out.

Qatar: Israel must fully fulfill its commitments

Qatar’s Emir Tamim said Israel’s actions in Gaza amounted to “genocide” and that the disaster would shock future generations. The Palestinian factions in Gaza have agreed to implement arms collection arrangements in accordance with the agreement, and Israel must also fully fulfill its commitments.

He said that Israel continues to attack Syria and occupy more territory, and continues to occupy Lebanese territory, which has affected the security of the entire region.

UK: Hamas raids cannot be used to excuse Israel

British Prime Minister Burnham said that the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)’s 2023 raids on Israel and Israel’s so-called “Iranian threat” “cannot excuse the Israeli government’s behavior in Gaza or the West Bank.” The UK “will not stand idly by” as the suffering of the Palestinians continues to intensify and the prospects for the realization of the “two-state solution” are impacted.

He said Israel issued a tender last month for the construction of the large Jewish settlement of E1, which would split the West Bank in two and could make the creation of a viable Palestinian state “out of reach.” The British government has taken action to ban trade in goods with illegal Jewish settlements, recognize the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, and impose sanctions on those involved in the construction of illegal settlements.

France: Palestinians’ right to exist must be respected

French President Macron said bluntly that some people boasted that peace had been achieved in Gaza, but this peace “did not open humanitarian access even for a second.”

Macron said that during the UN General Assembly last year, many countries recognized the state of Palestine. But one year has passed, and the reality is that peace has not been achieved, the most basic rights of Palestinians have been violated, and it is difficult for humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza, which is “shameful.”