Palestine’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, has urged all UN member states to take decisive steps towards ensuring international protection for Palestinian children in the face of the continuing Israeli genocide in Palestine.
The remarks were made during a crucial session focused on the plight of children in conflict zones, prompted by the Secretary-General’s latest annual report on the issue.
Ambassador Mansour highlighted the disturbing trend where the United Nations consistently documents significant violations against Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, yet Israel has consistently avoided scrutiny and accountability.
“Year after year, report after report, aggression after aggression, the United Nations has documented the plight of Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem, as among the areas with the highest number of violations against children. Nevertheless, Israel has been shielded from scrutiny and accountability,” Mansour emphasized.
He expressed deep concern over the exclusion of Israel from the list of countries violating children’s rights in previous years, suggesting that this omission has deprived Palestinian children of justice and protection, effectively granting Israel a license to continue harming them.
“It is regrettable that it took a genocide against our people and an unprecedented crisis for Israel to finally be added to this year’s list of shame,” Mansour asserted, underscoring the gravity of the situation faced by Palestinian children due to Israeli actions.
The Ambassador challenged the global community’s conscience, questioning the silence and inaction in the face of ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestinian civilians, particularly children.
He accused Israel of benefiting from the “political appeasement and double standards” that have allowed it to act with impunity.
“The addition of Israel to this year’s list of shame has provoked its anger because political appeasement and double standards have made it believe it is exempt from the rule of law,” Mansour noted, debunking claims of Israel having one of the world’s most ethical armies as a falsehood now apparent to all.
He further elaborated on the tragic consequences for Palestinian children, stating that instead of enjoying a safe summer break and participating in activities like sports and camps, many are now living in fear and uncertainty due to the destruction of UNRWA schools by Israeli forces.
“The schools that were once safe havens for learning and play have been destroyed, leaving Palestinian children without even a safe place to seek shelter,” Mansour lamented.
Ambassador Mansour called on the international community to translate their concerns into tangible actions, urging for immediate steps to protect Palestinian children and to hold Israel accountable for its actions under international law.
Source: WAFA
