China has taken over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of November, and has vowed to put the issue of end of the conflict in Gaza at the top of the agenda. On Nov. 6, following an earlier press conference by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the UN representatives of China and the United Arab Emirates came together in a press conference to make their own passionate plea for an urgent ceasefire and resolution of the conflict.
China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun spoke first, and quoted the earlier statement by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the situation being a “catastrophe.” “Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children” Zhang quoted Guterres, and he referenced other parts of Guterres’ speech. He said Palestinians are being deprived of the essentials for life.
Zhang continued, emphasizing the need for the security council to act with urgency and adopt a “meaningful and actionable resolution.” He reiterated that China is calling for: a humanitarian ceasefire; that all parties take steps toward cessation of hostilities; and unhindered access of all supplies and food and aid. This must include electricity, water, fuel, food, and medical supplies, he added.
U.A.E. Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh then spoke, saying that Gazan civilians cannot find safety anywhere, as Israel is attacking schools, hospitals, and refugee camps. Humanitarian law must be upheld, she demanded. “We condemn all violations of international humanitarian law … we condemn the 7th of October attacks by Hamas on Israel. We also condemn the indiscriminate attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip.”
She called for the release of all hostages, going beyond Guterres’s earlier call for the release of hostages only in Gaza. She also strongly reiterated that protection of civilians must be upheld by all parties but is being violated. “Wars have rules and they must be upheld.”
