In his speech this Friday to the UN General Assembly, the representative of Venezuela, on behalf of the group of countries, emphasized the need to respect and comply with international humanitarian law “to the letter”.
It also called for an immediate cessation of all acts of violence and hostilities, in particular attacks against civilians, including women and children, as well as against civilian property and infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, shelters and food warehouses.
He reiterated the defense of the Palestinian people’s “just and legitimate struggle” to assert their inalienable rights, including self-determination, freedom, refugee return and justice.
The Group of Friends also stressed the urgency of “advancing our efforts” in this regard, which must aim to realize the overwhelming international consensus on the two-state solution on the pre-1967 borders.
He also emphasized that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved through peaceful means.
Countries defending the UN Charter stressed the urgency of protecting civilians and preventing further loss of life by “immediately halting ongoing indiscriminate attacks on civilians” and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need.
They expressed concern about the development of recent events in the Middle East, particularly the “dramatic deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip” and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories.
This Friday, the General Assembly approved, by 120 votes in favor, 14 against and 45 abstentions, a resolution proposed by Jordan that called for respect for international law, including humanitarian and human rights guarantees, in particular for civilians and their property.
At the same time, he called for “immediate, comprehensive, sustainable, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance.”
The group of friends includes Angola, Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Palestine, Russia, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Nicaragua, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Laos, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
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