Iran: Palestinian right to self-determination ‘non-negotiable’
Iran says Palestine has a “non-negotiable” right to self-determination and formation of an independent state with the occupied holy city of al-Quds as its capital.
Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Amir Saied Iravani made the remark in an address before the UN Security Council on the situation in the West Asia region, including the Palestinian issue, on Wednesday.
“Establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital remains the legitimate aspiration of the Palestinian people,” he said.
He urged all Palestinian groups to remain united, warning that any sort of division only serves Israel’s interests.
He added that Israel’s military actions and the impunity granted to the regime by the United States and some Western countries are the causes of the “severe humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
The Tel Aviv regime is committing further atrocities in grave violation of international law amid the US and its Western allies’ continued provision of weapons, political backing, and financial support in grave violation of international law, he emphasized.
“The total blockade of food, water, fuel, and medicine imposed on Gaza constitutes collective punishment. It flagrantly violates the Fourth Geneva Convention and amounts to a war crime,” Iravani said.
The Iranian diplomat stressed the need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, adding, “Priorities must include humanitarian access, aid delivery, and prisoner exchanges.”
He further emphasized that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza must be followed by reconstruction efforts based on respect for Palestinians’ rights and rejection of any schemes involving forced displacement or resettlement in third countries.
Iravani said the time is ripe for Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations “without conditions” as it meets all membership criteria.
“The US veto of [Security] Council’s resolution ignored the global community’s will, which overwhelmingly supported Palestine’s membership through a General Assembly resolution with 143 votes in favor,” he added.
Palestine is currently a UN non-member observer state, a status that was granted to it in 2012. An application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Council and then by at least two-thirds of the General Assembly.
The United States, the Israeli regime’s biggest ally, has effectively blocked Palestinians’ every attempt at being recognized as a full member by casting its veto against relevant resolutions.
In his remarks, the Iranian ambassador also warned that peace and stability in the region will remain elusive if the occupation and aggression do not end.
“The Security Council must compel Israel to withdraw its occupying forces from the Palestinian occupied territories, Lebanon, and Syria, and end its ongoing aggression and violations,” he pointed out.
He once again reiterated that the terrorist and destabilizing actions of the Israeli regime and its main sponsor, the United States, are the main threat to peace and stability in the region.
The Israeli regime’s existence is built on terror, murder, aggression, and occupation, while it constantly fuels conflict, undermines regional stability, and violates international law, he said.
He criticized Israel’s “deliberate, systematic, and deeply destabilizing” near-daily acts of aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria, in addition to the regime’s brutal attacks in Gaza.
“Israel continues its aggression and occupation only because of full political, military, and diplomatic support from the United States,” Iravani said.
“If the US stopped its support just today, Israel would be forced to follow international law and respect its obligations.”
The Iranian diplomat also called on the Security Council not to remain silent but to act firmly in order to uphold international law, defend the UN Charter, and protect civilians from further harm.
On March 18, the Israeli regime assaulted Gaza and effectively ended its ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
The Israeli regime has put Gaza on total blockade and barred the entry of all humanitarian aid, which, according to the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), has driven Gaza’s population toward phase 5 Famine.
Phase 5 Famine is the highest phase of the IPC Acute Food Insecurity scale, and is classified when an area has the deaths of two people or four children for every 10,000 people each day due to outright starvation or the interaction of malnutrition and disease.
The total death toll from the Israeli assault on Gaza since October 7 has risen to 52,400, with over 118,000 injured, most of whom are children and women.
