Majed Bamya, Palestine’s deputy envoy to the UN, challenged the oft-repeated demand that it is the Palestinians who must demonstrate that they are committed to peace while enduring mass killing, displacement, and annexation, declaring that “occupation must end.”

In a statement to the UN Security Council on Thursday, Bamya noted the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 events, saying he remembered condemnations for the attacks and demands for the release of hostages, as well as claims by some colleagues that Israel had to defend itself, reported TRT World. He said he searched his memory for any occasion when Palestinians were told, after a massacre, that they had the right to do whatever is necessary. “Never. Not once before October 7, not once since, not when 10,000 Palestinians were killed, not when 20,000, not when 50,000, not when 70,000 Palestinians were killed,” he said.

Bamya said Palestinians warned of the massacres to come, as well as forced displacement and annexation, and responded by seeking diplomacy. “We sought protection, not justification of violence, whether legitimate or illegitimate. We sought justice, not vengeance,” he said. “Yet, we are the ones asked to prove our commitment to peace.” He said Israel “demands reforms while obstructing them, disarmament while its occupation forces continue killing, and while it continues arming settlers, security while denying ours.”

“This is not peace; it is permanent subjugation,” he said. “Annexation cannot be justified by the need for security, not in Palestine, not in Lebanon, not in Syria, not anywhere, or borders would be meaningless, and wars would be permanent.”

“We are either sovereign states, equal in rights and duties, sharing security and prosperity, or warring parties forever,” he said. “Occupation must end.”