the World wrote:African Union said a recent declaration issued by the African Union, in a spirit of solidarity between Africa and Palestine, deplored the recent violence in the Gaza Strip.
Bangladesh said the massacres of civilians in Gaza, particularly of children and women, were appalling and had shocked the world’s conscience. There was no legal, political or moral justification for such actions, which were illegal and in continuous breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Bangladesh supported Palestine’s call to establish a commission of inquiry.
Bolivia said that hundreds of Palestinian civilians were victims of the Israeli aggression.
Brazil, speaking in an explanation of the vote before the vote, said it would vote in favour of the draft resolution. The gravity of the situation, in particular the alarming number of casualties, warranted a timely and strong response by the international community.
Defence for Children International said that thus far more children had been killed by Israeli fire than Palestinian militants.
Ecuador believed in peaceful coexistence of peoples. Israel, as the occupying power, had to respect the human rights of the Palestinians, and to abide by its human rights obligations, in accordance with the treaties it had ratified.
Iceland said that, once again, it was Palestinian civilians, innocent women and children, who suffered most.
Independent Human Rights Commission of Palestine said Israel’s disproportionate and indiscriminate actions had killed 650 Palestinians, injured more than 4,000 and displaced over 150,000 from their homes. There was no safe haven in Gaza. The bombardment came from land, air and sea.
International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights said the Special Session took place three weeks after the execution, torture and murder of a Palestinian teenager in East Jerusalem, and three weeks of Israeli aggression against Gaza.
Lebanon asked why the Council had waited for yet more destruction and death in Gaza before convening this Special Session. The media showed images of children dying indiscriminately in their beds, elderly people and women being killed for no other reason than being inhabitants of Gaza, and bombs raining down on the city. If those were they not sufficient reasons to hold the session, when should the Council meet?
Niger said the seriousness of the events in Gaza had left the international community indifferent, although Israel was responsible for huge violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
Norwegian Refugee Council said that 44 per cent of the Gaza Strip had been declared a no-go area, making Gaza even more of an open-air prison than before. In Gaza, the internally displaced persons could not find safety as they were not allowed to leave, and no place in Gaza was safe. Returning to the status quo ante was not enough.
Save the Children International said the number of casualties in the Gaza Strip was unprecedented. One out of every five people killed by the recent strikes was a child.
Switzerland recalled that reprisals against civilians and indiscriminate attacks were prohibited by international law, and said it supported the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to investigate all human rights allegations.
Syrian Arab Republic said that extremist gangs of settlers had been allowed to abduct a Palestinian child and burn him alive, which had led to further massacres of the innocent, particularly women and children. Israel had continuously shown utter disregard for international law. The international community had to ensure that such crimes did not go unpunished. Syria supported the legitimate resistance of the Palestinian people.
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