The Gambia’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Lang Yabou, has called on the international community to reach a permanent truce and end the Israeli occupation of parts of Palestine.
Ambassador Yabou made this statement at the UN agenda on the situation in the Middle East. He pointed out that lasting peace and security in Palestine and the Middle East by extension would only breed regional and greater world peace. He challenged the international community to spur genuine dialogue with a view to ending the deadlock and intensify efforts to bring Israel and Palestine to the negotiating table.
“The Gambia is deeply concerned by the scale of the violence in the recent Israeli – Palestinian conflict, including the desecration of the Al-Aqsa holy site, the sanctity of which must be respected by all. My delegation therefore is calling for an end to the violence on Palestinians and the lifting of blockade on the Gaza Strip.
In the speech delivered on behalf of The Gambia’s foreign minister, Ambassador Lang Yabou stated: ““We have had too many ceasefires over the last two decades. The international community must now move to a permanent truce and an end to the occupation by addressing the root causes of the conflict for enduring peace.”
“Peace and security in Palestine and the Middle East mean peace and security for the Middle East region and the world at large. In light of this fact, the international community must encourage genuine dialogue to end the deadlock and intensify efforts to bring both sides of the conflict to the negotiation table.
“In this regard, my delegation reiterates our call for the revival of the two-state solution on the basis of a renewed and credible peace process involving the Quartet and all the stakeholders and in line with relevant UN Resolutions. We cannot continue to ignore the humanitarian catastrophe that goes with this conflict.”
“It is our strong position that, peaceful coexistence is the only viable way forward. Therefore, ending impunity, upholding international law, addressing the dire humanitarian and refugee crisis and having an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital should be urgently pursued by all and sundry.
“The Security Council must reassess its role when it comes to finding a lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Council must rise to the occasion and work towards a two-state solution as per the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations.”
