New York,—In an emotional and impassioned address to the UN Security Council, Palestinian Permanent Observer Riyad Mansour delivered a sharp message to the global community: statements of sympathy are no longer sufficient — it is time for concrete action.
His remarks came against the backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, where Israeli military operations have claimed thousands of civilian lives, including women and children. Mansour’s speech, infused with both grief and urgency, sought to shake world leaders out of what he called “the comfort of issuing statements” and compel them to take decisive measures to end what he described as genocide against the Palestinian people.
Silence of the International Community Under Fire
Mansour opened his address by strongly condemning the silence and inaction of international organizations, including the Security Council, in the face of ongoing atrocities.
“If the international community limits itself to issuing statements of sympathy while a people are being systematically exterminated, then the credibility of these institutions will collapse,” he said.
He emphasized that inaction not only emboldens Israel but also undermines the very principles upon which the United Nations was founded — namely the protection of peace, human rights, and international law.
From Resolutions to Real Action
The Palestinian diplomat called for immediate and practical measures to halt Israeli aggression.
“Analyses, reports, and resolutions are important,” he said, “but without enforcement, they are nothing more than words on paper.”
Mansour argued that the Security Council has both the authority and the responsibility to act decisively, just as it has done in other conflicts. He questioned why the Council’s sanctions, embargoes, and peacekeeping mechanisms — often used against other nations — have not been deployed to address Israel’s repeated violations of international law.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
In describing the situation on the ground, Mansour painted a bleak and devastating picture of life in Gaza.
He highlighted:
- Relentless airstrikes destroying homes, schools, and hospitals.
- Blockades preventing the delivery of essential goods, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.
- Mass displacement, with entire families forced to flee multiple times in search of safety.
- Psychological trauma endured by children growing up in a war zone.
“The people of Gaza are enduring unbearable suffering,” Mansour said. “This is not a temporary crisis — it is a deliberate, systematic policy aimed at erasing an entire people from their land.”
Accusations of Long-Term Israeli Strategy
Mansour accused Israel of implementing a long-term plan to dismantle the Palestinian presence in historic Palestine. He pointed to:
- Expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
- Annexation efforts in East Jerusalem.
- Demolition of Palestinian homes and the displacement of residents.
- Legislation and policies designed to make life untenable for Palestinians.
He argued that these actions are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated campaign to undermine the possibility of a future Palestinian state.
Questioning Israel’s Legitimacy at the UN
In one of the most striking moments of his speech, Mansour asked:
“If Israel does not respect international law, the UN Charter, or the resolutions of this very Council, then why is it sitting here as a member state?”
This pointed question underscored the double standards that many critics say plague international diplomacy — where certain countries face swift punitive measures, while others enjoy impunity despite repeated violations.
Global Support and Moral Responsibility
Mansour expressed gratitude to nations, civil society groups, and individuals worldwide who have shown solidarity with the Palestinian cause. He noted the growing public outcry in many countries, as people march in the streets, demand boycotts, and call for their governments to hold Israel accountable.
However, he stressed that moral support must be matched with political will.
“History will remember where each nation stood in this moment,” he said. “It will remember those who chose justice — and those who chose silence.”
International Law and the Question of Accountability
Mansour’s speech repeatedly invoked the principles of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and human rights treaties that prohibit targeting civilians, collective punishment, and annexation of occupied territories.
He called for:
- An immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed.
- Lifting of the blockade on Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians.
- International investigations into alleged war crimes.
- Sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Israel until it complies with UN resolutions.
Mansour reminded the Council that impunity breeds further violence and that without accountability, the cycle of bloodshed will continue.
A Broader Context: Decades of Struggle
The Palestinian diplomat placed the current crisis within the broader historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has persisted for more than 75 years.
Key historical points he referenced:
- 1948 Nakba (Catastrophe): The mass displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians during the creation of the state of Israel.
- 1967 Six-Day War: Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
- Oslo Accords (1993): An attempted peace process that has since stalled.
- Ongoing settlement expansion: Despite international condemnation, settlements in occupied territories continue to grow.
Mansour argued that the failure of the international community to enforce its own resolutions over decades has created the conditions for the present crisis.
Appeal to Conscience and Humanity
In concluding his speech, Mansour appealed directly to the moral conscience of the world’s leaders and citizens:
“If we allow this genocide to continue, we are complicit. The blood of the innocent will stain not just the hands of the perpetrators, but of all who stood by and did nothing.”
He called on the Security Council to uphold its mandate to protect international peace and security, warning that inaction will not only deepen the Palestinian tragedy but also erode the credibility of the UN itself.
Global Reactions to Mansour’s Speech
Following Mansour’s address, several countries expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Some European and Latin American nations called for an immediate humanitarian pause, while others reiterated support for a two-state solution.
However, no binding resolution was passed during the session, reflecting the deep divisions within the Security Council on how to address the crisis.
The Road Ahead
Mansour’s address serves as yet another urgent reminder that the Palestinian question remains unresolved and continues to test the credibility of the international order. Whether the world chooses action over rhetoric will determine not just the fate of Gaza’s civilians, but also the future of international law and human rights.
