WANA (Sep 18) – Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, condemning Israel’s cyber-terrorist attack in Lebanon, stated that Israel must be held accountable for this aggression and heinous crime.

 

On Tuesday, Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, delivered a speech at the emergency session of the UN General Assembly.

 

The full text of the speech delivered by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly, held in New York on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, is as follows:

 

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 

Mr. President,

Distinguished Representatives,

 

Based on the general discussions held in previous meetings, as well as the adoption of three resolutions regarding the Palestinian issue at the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly last year, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in Palestine and called for an immediate ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian territories and the realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinians to self-determination and their full membership in the United Nations. As we have seen since that time, no positive change has occurred in the apartheid policies and actions of the Zionist regime, and the Palestinians have had no choice but to resist the extensive and destructive attacks by Israeli forces and armed settlers against their land and people, including women and children.

 

We are witnessing the incredible resilience of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the face of the brutal and unjust bombardment and invasion by Israeli forces, supported by a few specific countries, driven by the apartheid and genocidal policies of this regime. Now, many freedom-loving nations recognize the Palestinian resistance as a remarkable and praiseworthy effort.

 

In its latest advisory opinion issued on July 19, the International Court of Justice emphasized that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land is illegal and constitutes an internationally wrongful act, making Israel fully responsible. In this regard, the Court explicitly stated that Israel is obligated to end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories and immediately halt all settlement activities in these lands, as well as fully evacuate all settlers. Additionally, the regime is required to compensate all individuals and entities harmed in the occupied Palestinian territories.

 

It is important to note that Israel’s occupation has been ongoing for a long time, and this is a crucial issue that the regime deliberately ignores. It is no surprise that the representative of the Zionist regime, in the statement delivered at this meeting, made no mention of their illegal occupation, which is the primary focus of this session. It seems their world began last year, and the sole reason for Palestinian resistance, which is Israel’s illegal occupation over several decades, should be disregarded.

 

Mr. President,

Esteemed Ambassadors and Colleagues,

 

In light of our first commitment under the UN Charter, we must take effective collective measures to eliminate this long-standing threat to peace. Now is the time for us, as members of the United Nations, to fulfill this obligation. It is essential to suppress Israel’s aggressive actions and violations of peace, as well as to resolve or mitigate this situation, which clearly constitutes a breach of peace.

 

Over the past year, Israeli forces have launched aggressive and violent actions against Gaza and other occupied territories, resulting in the deaths of more than forty thousand Palestinian civilians. Among the ongoing crimes against civilians in Gaza, Israel continues its aggressions and terrorist activities against civilians in Lebanon as well.

 

Just hours ago, in a cyber-terrorist attack, Israel detonated communication devices in Beirut, resulting in the deaths and injuries of thousands, including the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Beirut. The Islamic Republic of Iran extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the government of Lebanon and strongly condemns this destructive and terrorist act by the rogue Israeli regime. Israel must be held accountable for this aggression and heinous crime.

 

It is clear that the brutality and cruelty of this regime know no bounds. How many women and children must die before the international community decides to intervene and put an end to this destructive and barbaric war machine? All the risk factors and definitions outlined in Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide are present, placing a responsibility on all member states to prevent this crime from occurring.

 

Despite the fact that Israeli authorities have committed numerous crimes through the occupation of Palestinian lands, the killing of Palestinians, and the displacement of Palestinian populations, they continue to enjoy complete impunity. It is regrettable that this regime repeatedly violates its obligations under the UN Charter. In addition to refusing to accept and implement the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice, it also fails to adhere to international law. This regime consistently violates the principles enshrined in the Charter and relevant conventions and resolutions. From our perspective, not only should Palestine be granted full membership in the United Nations, but Israel’s illegal actions should also prompt all UN members to consider reviewing its membership under Article 6 of the Charter.

 

In conclusion, I wish to emphasize that given the urgency of the situation and the importance of ending the occupation of Palestine and the apartheid policies and actions of Israel against the Palestinians, the Islamic Republic of Iran will vote in favor of the resolution drafted on this issue. Furthermore, Israel’s obligation to allow all displaced Palestinians to return to their lands, restore their properties, and compensate all affected individuals in the occupied Palestinian territories must be affirmed.

 

Additionally, I would like to state that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for this resolution does not affect our long-standing national position on the Palestinian issue, which includes the non-recognition of Israel and the history of its occupation.

 

Thank you.