STORY: UN General Assembly resumes emergency session on Israeli-Palestinian conflict
DATELINE: Oct. 27, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:01
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of UNGA Hall
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
3. various of UNGA Hall
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly

STORYLINE:

The UN General Assembly on Thursday resumed its 10th Emergency Special Session on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

General Assembly President Dennis Francis, in his opening remarks, condemned both the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel's indiscriminate targeting of civilians and the destruction of critical infrastructure in Gaza.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
"The brutality of the Hamas assaults is shocking and unacceptable, and has no place - I repeat, has no place - in our world. The ceaseless bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israel and its consequences are deeply alarming. The right of self-defense does not and cannot lawfully give license to undertake indiscriminate and disproportionate reprisal."

Francis said all parties to this conflict must abide by international humanitarian law and immediately create the necessary conditions to allow for an opening of a humanitarian corridor to the Gaza Strip.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly"We must ensure that urgently needed life-saving assistance reaches those in need -- from the delivery of basic foodstuff to the safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff. Any action to the contrary -- to deprive the people of Gaza of unimpeded access to essential livelihood supplies -- would be a clear violation of their human rights and an affront to international humanitarian law.
We, the United Nations, cannot allow the fundamental principles of human rights and of international law to be compromised. As the United Nations, we are obliged to uphold them -- without any conditions, or reservations, and certainly without any exceptions.
At this juncture, the most immediate step is clear: the violence must cease, and further bloodshed must be prevented. I call for the prompt and unconditional release of all hostages. I therefore call for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire. And I also call for an immediate, unconditional opening of corridors of humanitarian assistance and relief."

The only path to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace is a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with international law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN resolutions -- a solution that fulfills Israel's legitimate needs for security and that fulfills the state of Palestine's legitimate aspirations for an independent state, said Francis.

He urged all parties to set aside their animosities and focus instead on averting war by prioritizing saving lives.

"I urge the (UN) membership to use today's session not to further fan the flames of hate, division and revenge. Let us seize the opportunity, instead, to unify our purpose and our actions to save lives and to end violence."

The resumed Emergency Special Session is expected to run into Friday and a resolution tabled by Jordan is expected to be voted on.

The UN Security Council, which holds the primary responsibility for international peace and security, has failed to adopt any resolution on the latest escalation in the past two weeks.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)