Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon at the UN
General Assembly tenth emergency special session on
Gaza.
Thank you, Mr President.
May I begin by expressing our deep appreciation, our deep
appreciation for this institution, the United Nations, and indeed
all of our humanitarian partners for their incredible efforts,
life-saving efforts, in what are the most challenging of
circumstances.
And at this point, I also want to share our sincerest of
condolences for the 30 UNRWA staff and the 16 medical staff who
have lost their lives since the 7th of October. Equally, we
record our sincere condolences to the victims and the families of
the horrendous Hamas’ terrorist attacks on the 7th of October on
Israel. And equally, we extend our condolences to the families of
the innocent Palestinians who have been killed in this tragic
conflict. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. To God we belong
to God. We return. Your Excellencies, Mr. President, every life,
every life that is lost is a tragedy, not just for a family in
Israel or Gaza or the West Bank, but it is a loss for all of
humanity, an Israeli life or a Palestinian life, irrespective of
being Jewish, Christian or Muslim. Every life matters. Every life
lost is a tragedy. Therefore, as we recall the tragic
consequences of what we are witnessing, we call on all parties to
respect international humanitarian law. Yes, this means the
unconditional release of the hostages and taking every possible
step to avoid the harming of civilians and importantly, enabling
unhindered humanitarian access.
We all know it has been said from this podium countless times
during this debate that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is
growing. On our part, the United Kingdom has provided an
additional $37 million to help provide water, to help provide
food and medicine and fuel in Gaza. And in this regard, may we
put on record our thanks to the tireless work of the
Secretary-General and the United Nations to ensure this
lifesaving aid reaches those most in need. Whilst we welcome the
important first step of 54 trucks passing through Rafah Border
Crossing, we urge the scaling up of this assistance, including to
enable fuel for civilian use to pass into Gaza, vital to keep
hospitals and the humanitarian response running. And these
humanitarian pauses are an important part of ensuring that this
can happen. Turning to the attacks on Israel on the 7th of
October, my Prime Minister has been clear: the United Kingdom
stands with Israel in the face of Hamas’ terrorist attacks. We
will always support an ally against a terrorist attack and its
right to self-defence. But this must be, I assure you, Mr
President, and we make that case, it must be within international
humanitarian law. And if I may just put also from a personal
perspective as a muslim: terrorism is evil.Every terror act is
against humanity, and we should condemn it unequivocally.
So, Mr President, the draft resolution in front of us could have
been clearer on this very point. It should also, in our view,
unequivocally condemn these terror attacks, Hamas’ terror attacks
that killed over 1400 people. And as we know at this very time,
hold over 200 hostages. However, we have equally been clear that
all possible precautions and steps are taken to minimise harm to
civilians in this conflict and indeed, for any movement of
civilians to be both voluntary and safe.
Mr President. We stand at a crucial juncture. Yet in this moment
of darkness. Let us come together, this United Nations, that we
come together and not lose sight of the promise that this United
Nations holds true of a two-state solution: a secure, safe Israel
side by side with a viable Palestinian state. And I assure you of
this, that we, the United Kingdom, will continue to work closely
with all partners in the region and beyond in these efforts,
because peace must prevail, and to prevent the situation from
spreading and causing wider insecurity and instability.
It was my Prime Minister who said hope and humanity must win
against the scourge of aggression and terrorism. Love over hate.
Light over darkness. Peace. Shalom. Salam.
