Director-General's remarks at the special meeting to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Friday, 29 November 2024 at 11.00 a.m.

Room XIX, Palais des Nations

Excellencies, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

I declare the meeting open and would like to welcome all speakers and participants assembled here today at this special meeting to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The special meeting is webcast live on the UN Web TV platform to allow interested participants to follow the event virtually.

It is my honour to read out the message of the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on this occasion:

“Every year on this day, the international community stands in solidarity for the dignity, rights, justice and self-determination of the Palestinian people. This year’s commemoration is especially painful as those fundamental goals are as distant as they have ever been. 

Nothing justifies the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and the taking of hostages.  And nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. 

Yet, more than a year later, Gaza is in ruins, more than 43,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been reportedly killed, and the humanitarian crisis is getting worse by the day.  This is appalling and inexcusable. 

Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli military operations, settlement expansion, evictions, demolitions, settler violence and threats of annexation are inflicting further pain and injustice.

It is past time for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages; an end to the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian Territory – as confirmed by the International Court of Justice and the General Assembly; and irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions – with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, and Jerusalem as the capital of both States. 

As a matter of urgency, I appeal for full support of lifesaving humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people – in particular through the work of UNRWA, which represents an irreplaceable lifeline for millions of Palestinians.

The United Nations will continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights to live in peace, security and dignity.”

This was the end of the Secretary-General’s message.

I now invite Her Excellency Ms. Julia Imene-Chanduru, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Namibia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People: 

I thank Ambassador Imene-Chanduru for her statement.

I now invite Her Excellency Ms. Himalee Subhashini Arunatilaka, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories:

I thank Ambassador Arunatilaka for her statement.

 I now invite His Excellency Mr. Hichem Bayoudh, Ambassador, Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit:

I thank Ambassador Bayoudh for his statement.

I now invite Mr. Bader Al-Mutairi, Deputy Permanent Observer and Chargé d’affaires of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation: 

I thank Mr. Al-Mutairi for his statement.

I now invite His Excellency Mr. Marcel Robert Tibaleka, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement: 

I thank Ambassador Tibaleka for his statement.

I now invite His Excellency Mr. Amr Abdellatif Aboualatta, Ambassador, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of the African Union: 

I thank Ambassador Aboualatta for his statement.

I now invite Ms. Yvonne Schupbach, Board Member of the World Young Women’s Christian Association, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of the Non-Governmental Organizations accredited to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People:

I thank Ms. Schupbach for her statement.

I now invite His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Khraishi, Ambassador, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, to take the floor and deliver a message on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine:

I thank Ambassador Khraishi for his statement.

I now have the pleasure to announce that messages of solidarity on this occasion have been received from the following Heads of State or Government: Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Türkiye.

In accordance with the usual practice, the United Nations Secretary-General’s message, as well as a summary of the proceedings of today’s ceremony, will be available as a press release. In addition, copies of statements delivered by the speakers and messages of solidarity will be available for consultation on the event registration platform Indico. 

Excellencies, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

I thank you for your participation and for marking this occasion. 

I now declare this Special Meeting to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People closed.