UN General Assembly 2024 updates: Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon dominate
Here’s what happened today
The UN General Debate kicked off with Israel’s war on Gaza looming large. Here are some of the key moments:
- Israel and Palestine – as well as the recent escalation in Lebanon – featured prominently, with Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva beginning the General Debate by welcoming the Palestinian delegation, which took part for the first time as an observer nation.
- US President Joe Biden defended Israel’s right to the war while calling for de-escalation. He also hailed his administration’s efforts to boost multilateralism in what is all but assured to be his last speech at the annual event.
- The leaders of Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, Colombia, South Africa and the Maldives were among the strongest voices condemning Israel’s actions. Qatar’s emir said those still defending Israel’s right to self-defence in the war were “complicit”.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recalled the end of apartheid and the UN’s support to “turn the tide against apartheid” during remarks focusing on Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
- Many denounced UN Security Council inaction over the war on Gaza and underscored the urgent need for its reform, with the leaders of Sierra Leone calling for two veto-carrying permanent seats for African nations.
Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon dominate first day of UNGA
What we’ve seen so far is something very clear and that’s real urgency in all of the speeches that we have heard.
Urgency about the issues that are facing the world right now, particularly the urgency of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Israel’s continued bombardment of the Gaza Strip. But now also something that perhaps a week ago world leaders weren’t expecting, but they are forced to talk about now. And that’s Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
In all of the speeches, we have heard repeated calls for de-escalation and really calling out Israel in many cases by many world leaders to do their part to stop this conflict.
I think that’s what stands out, at least in the morning sessions so far.
UNRWA boss asks UN General Assembly to protect Gaza children
The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) urged the UN General Assembly to contemplate what Israel’s devastating war means for the future of children from Gaza.Philippe Lazzarini noted there are nearly 625,000 “deeply traumatised girls and boys” out of school and “living in the rubble in Gaza”.
“We cannot afford to lose an entire generation and sow the seeds for future hatred and extremism … It is our collective responsibility and moral imperative to do everything possible to protect children’s rights and future,” said Lazzarini.
A common call: Reforming the UN Security Council
Many leaders speaking at the UNGA have demanded reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). But what is the UNSC, exactly?
The Security Council is the UN body primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The full council was initially composed of 11 members, expanding to 15 in 1965.
These include the permanent five and 10 non-permanent members. The UNSC determines the existence of a threat to civic peace or an act of aggression. It also calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means. It can resort to imposing sanctions or authorise the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
The United Nations itself grew out of World War II. And the “Big Five” members of the victorious allied coalition – the United States, Soviet Union, China, the United Kingdom and France – became permanent members of the UNSC.
Each UNSC member country gets one vote. But all the permanent members – the so-called P5 – have the power to veto any council decision.
Sierra Leone leaders calls on UN to support Africa-led peace initiatives
President Julius Maada Bio says that’s particularly true in the Sahel where military coups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have exacerbated a wider security and humanitarian crisis.
“The safety and security of the people in the Sahel and parts of West Africa require a strong commitment from all relevant actors,” he said, adding countries on the “front line, especially Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger” must receive the needed support.
“Commitment to political transition is necessary, but should never be at the expense of the vulnerable,” he added.
“Africa has long been marginalised in global decision-making processes and its voices are often drowned out. The legacy of colonialism, economic exploitation and political marginalisation has left deep scars on the African continent, thereby affecting its development, stability and influence in international affairs.”
He called for Africa to have two permanent seats – with veto power – on the UN Security Council and two more seats on the wider council.
WATCH: ‘Values of the West are dying’ in Gaza, says Turkey’s Erdogan
Russia invasion of Ukraine threat to ‘international order’: Lithuania
Gitanas Nauseda, president of Lithuania, turned the attention to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling it an ongoing threat to “the entire international order defined by sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders”.
“In Ukraine, each and every member of the United Nations, every sovereign nation, has much to lose,” he said, referring to Russia’s invasion, which began in February 2022.
“Right now, Ukraine is fighting not only a war of self-defence, Ukraine is also fighting for the future of all those countries who believe in the United Nations Charter and its principles. Ukraine is fighting for us all, and yet our joint collective response to this day has been insufficient,” Nauseda said.
He accused Russia of “hiding under the cover of the Security Council’s permanent membership”, which gives it veto power against condemning resolutions.
Israel decries ‘charade of hypocrisy’ at General Assembly
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, hit back at UN chief Antonio Guterres for raising the topic of the devastating war on Gaza, calling the General Assembly debate an “annual charade of hypocrisy”.
“When the UN secretary-general speaks about the release of our hostages, the UN assembly is silent. But when he speaks about the suffering in Gaza, he receives thunderous applause,” Danon said.
He also thanked the United States for its unwavering backing during the war.
“We appreciate the US support for Israel at this time when we are fighting against the forces of evil. A diplomatic move is always better than a confrontation, but after a year in which our hostages are being murdered in terror tunnels and the residents of the north cannot return to their homes, we are determined to restore security to our citizens in any possible way,” he said in a statement.
Sustainable development goals ‘in threat’: Tajikistan president
Emomali Rahmon – like most UNGA speakers today – pledged to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals as set out in the 2030 agenda.
He noted a recent report found the international community is on track to only achieve 17 percent of the goals by 2030.
“We need to intensify other efforts to implement the 2030 agenda in a timely manner and pay particular attention to the financing for sustainable development,” he said.
What are the sustainable development goals?
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and wellbeing
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions
- Partnerships to achieve the goals
Maldives leader envisions path to tech-forward, ‘fully developed nation’
Muizzu said he hopes by 2040 the Maldives will be a “fully developed nation”.
“Prevailing and even thriving against formidable odds is nothing new for the Maldives,” he said, saying the country of about 500,000 people would seek to build a “digital economy” that harnesses the power of AI to boost housing, healthcare and climate resiliency.
“The Maldives has over 1,100 islands spread across 90,000sq km. Enhancing digital connectivity is key to achieving inclusive development, mobilising economic activity, and fostering a more diversified and resilient economy,” he said.
Small nations such as the Maldives “count on the support” of the UN members to meet development and climate goals, Muizzu added.
Maldives president condemns Israel’s ‘targeting of journalists’
Mohamed Muizzu, president of the South Asian island nation, directly focused on media workers targeted in Israel’s war on Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.
“Israel’s targeting of journalists, the eyes and ears of humanity, the killing of journalists, Palestinian journalists, Lebanese journalists, Al Jazeera journalists, the closure of Al Jazeera officers,” Muizzu said, referring to the Israeli closure of Al Jazeera’s West Bank office over the weekend.
“How can we interpret this as anything other than brutal attempts to prevent the world from knowing about the crimes taking place?”
South Africa leader calls for UN Security Council reform
President Ramaphosa called for the Security Council to be overhauled saying it must be a “more representative body and more inclusive”.
“Seventy-eight years since its formation, the structure of the United Nations Security Council remains largely unchanged. Africa and its 1.4 billion people remain excluded from its key decision-making structures. This cannot continue,” he said.
“The Security Council has not fulfilled its mandate to maintain international peace and security. The UN Security Council must be reformed as a matter of urgency.”
Ramphosa welcomes support for ICJ genocide case against Israel
South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel was filed as a state party to the Genocide Convention, President Ramaphosa says.
“We welcome the support that a number of countries have given to the case that we launched at the ICJ. The ICJ’s orders make it clear that there is a plausible case of genocide against the people of Gaza.
“They further make it clear that states must also act to prevent genocide by Israel and to ensure that they are not themselves party to the violation of the Genocide Convention by aiding or assisting in the commission of genocide,” he said.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire and for the release of all hostages. The only lasting solution is the establishment of a Palestinian state, a state that will exist side by side with Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
‘Famine and disease stalk the streets of Gaza’
President Ramaphosa says Israel’s “torment” of Gaza continues “unabated” as more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed.
“Famine and disease stalk the streets of Gaza. This cannot but shock our collective humanity. The violence the Palestinian people are being subjected to is a grim continuation of more than half a century of apartheid that has been perpetrated against Palestinians by Israel.
“We South Africans know what apartheid looks like. We lived through apartheid. We suffered and died under apartheid. We will not remain silent and watch as apartheid is perpetrated against others.
“Through the United Nations and the instruments it wields, we must end the suffering that Palestinians are being subjected to.”
He added international law cannot be applied “selectively”, saying no one state is “more equal than any other”.
Qatar continues to seek peace in Syria, Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Ukraine
He pointed to Qatari-led efforts to secure a US-Venezuela prisoner swap and to reunite Ukrainian children with their families.
“We affirm the state of Qatar will spare no effort in working with its international partners and the United Nations to firmly consolidate the pillars of peace, security, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law – at all levels – and to address global challenges to achieve a better future for all.”
Qatari leader condemns Haniyeh assassination, will continue mediation efforts
The Qatari leader’s speech has focused heavily on the war in Gaza. Qatar has been one of the main mediators in ceasefire talks.
Sheikh Tamim condemned the Israeli assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, the lead Hamas negotiator in talks. Despite those challenges Qatar “will continue our efforts of mediation to resolve the disputes through peaceful means”.
“We will not achieve this goal except with a serious partner who is aware of the importance of renouncing this war and ending the occupation and all forms of aggression so we can reach together the desired peace in the Middle East,” said Sheikh Tamim.
He further condemned last week’s device attacks on Lebanon, in which thousands of electronic devices were detonated “with total disregard for their identity or location”.
“Israel is currently waging a war on Lebanon, and no one knows to what extent this war could escalate. This is what we have repeatedly warned against.”
‘Illusions of making peace’ without just solution for the Palestinians
The Palestinian cause will not be marginalised and go away through the “disappearance of the Palestinian people”, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says.
“Every year I stand on this podium and I begin by talking about the Palestinian cause, the absence of justice, the perils of believing that it can be neglected, and the illusions of making peace without a just solution to the Palestinian cause,” Sheikh Tamim said.
“There are those who are tempted by the possibility of marginalising this issue to get rid of its burden. But the Palestinian cause is resistant to marginalisation because it is an issue of Indigenous people on their own land, a people who are subjected to a settler-colonial occupation.
“It seems there are those in Israel who entertain wishful thinking to eliminate the Palestinian people,” he said.
“The ongoing Israeli aggression for nearly a year is nothing but a result of the absence of a sincere political will, a deliberate international failure to resolve the Palestinian issue with a just solution, and insistence of the occupying Israel parties to impose a fait accompli on the Palestinians and the world.”
Ceasefire resolutions on Gaza, Sudan must be ‘implemented and upheld’: Swiss president
Viola Amherd said the protection of civilians in conflict “must be granted more importance” by both the Security Council and wider General Assembly.
“Not only are people and civilian infrastructure insufficiently protected, but they are coming under repeated attack, we can see violations of international humanitarian law in Myanmar, in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in Sudan,” Switzerland’s president said.
She pointed to ceasefire resolutions that have been passed by the UNGA for both Gaza and Sudan.
“There is an urgent need for these resolutions to be implemented and upheld,” she said.
Guatemalan leader takes swipe at UN Security Council vetoes
President Bernardo Arevalo expressed a sentiment felt by many smaller UN member states when it comes to the Security Council.
Currently, only five countries – China, France, Russia, the UK and the US – are able to veto resolutions on the 15-member panel, often leaving it hamstrung. The US has repeatedly used its power to shield Israel, while Russia has used the veto to block condemnation of its actions in Ukraine.
Arevalo said those who carry the veto power use it to “avoid decisions taken that are hard hitting against those states which repeatedly violate the charter of [the UN]”.
“Let us recall to the members of the Security Council that it is their primary responsibility to maintain international peace and international security, and that in the performance of its functions, it must proceed according to the purposes and principles of the United Nations,” he said.
Arevalo also condemned what he described as the degradation of democracy in Nicaragua and Venezuela and promised to support to crisis-wracked Haiti.
He also said the root causes of migration and climate change need to be addressed and “reaffirmed commitment” to resolving an ongoing border dispute with neighbouring Belize at the UN’s top court.
World ‘will never accept’ forced displacement of Palestinians: Jordan’s king
King Abdullah decried the war in Gaza, the spike in fighting in the occupied West Bank, and the escalation in Lebanon. He warned that “impunity gathers force, and left unchecked, it gains momentum”.
“It is the moral duty of this international community to establish a protection mechanism for them across the occupied temple,” he said, adding “We will never accept the forced displacement of Palestinians, which is a war crime.”
“For decades, Israel has projected itself as a thriving Western-style democracy in the Middle East, but the brutality of the war on Gaza has forced the world to look closer,” said King Abdullah. “Now many see Israel through the eyes of its victims, and the contradiction, the paradox is too jarring.
“I call on all countries to join Jordan in enforcing an international Gaza humanitarian gateway, a massive relief effort to deliver food, clean water, medicine and other vital supplies to those in desperate need.”
Jordan and Israel normalised ties in 1994, and the kingdom continues to manage the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.
Biden ‘stuck in the Cold War’: Al Jazeera political analyst
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, has called US President Joe Biden’s speech at the UN General Assembly “a missed opportunity”.
“The US president laid out the vision for the way to move forward, but he seems to be stuck in the Cold War mindset, speaking again and inciting against Russia like it was the Soviet Union, and against China as if it was the future Soviet Union,” he said.
Citing Biden’s call for the world to come together, Bishara noted that it was the US that has been isolated at the UN Security Council and the General Assembly “when it came to questions of Palestine, Lebanon and other important questions in the Middle East”.
Bishara also referred to how US actions have been fuelling Israel’s war on Gaza and other places in the region.
“What’s important to underline is how much they are helping the escalation towards war, they continue to support Israel militarily unconditionally,” he said.
“And not only that, they keep sending their armadas to the eastern Mediterranean in order to protect Israel as it carries its war crimes in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere,” Bishara said, adding that the US “is blindly following in the footsteps” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is being sought after by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
“Netanyahu is leading the area to the brink, to a disaster, and the US is protecting him, shielding him, and arming him to carry his war crimes,” Bishara said.
‘Some things are more important than staying in power’: Biden finishes speech
US President Joe Biden finished his address by touching on several issues before reiterating his motivation for dropping out of the US presidential race. Here’s what he said:- Biden decried the rise of attacks in Israeli-occupied territories: “[We] must also address the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank and set the conditions for a better future, including a two-state solution.”
- He called for an end to fighting in Sudan a day after naming the United Arab Emirates – which has been accused of fueling Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks with illegal weapons transfers – a “major defence partner”.
- The US president said world leaders must do more to invest in sustainable development goals, cut greenhouse emissions, prepare for pandemics, stop the illegal flow of weapons, and monitor the effects of artificial intelligence.
- Biden reiterated that the US supports reforming and expanding the UN Security Council. The United States, however, does not support adding more veto members, such as itself.
- He ended by discussing his decision not to run for re-election, which he announced in July. “My fellow leaders, let us never forget some things are more important than staying in power – it’s your people,” he said.
Ukraine and China get top billing in Biden speech
The US president continued his speech, vowing to maintain support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
“The good news is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war has failed at its core aim,” Biden said. “He set out to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free. He set out to weaken NATO, but NATO is bigger, stronger, more united than ever before.”
On China, he said the US needs to “uphold our principles as we seek to responsibly manage the competition with China so it does not veer into conflict”.
The order of subjects underscores what have been the top priorities of the Biden administration.
- Guterres calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
“The international community must mobilise for an immediate ceasefire. The immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and the beginning of an irreversible process towards the two-state solution,” Guterres says.
“For those who go on and their mining that goal with more settlements, more land grabs, more incitement, I ask: What is the alternative?
“How could the world accept one state in which a large number of Palestinians would be included without any freedom, any rights or dignity.”
‘Lebanon is at the brink,’ warns UN secretary-general
“Gaza is a nonstop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it,” UN’s Guterres says.
He added:
- Look no further than Lebanon. We should all be alarmed by the escalation.
- Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.
- Let’s be clear: Nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7 or the taking of hostages, both of which I have repeatedly condemned. And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
- The speed and scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as secretary-general. More than 200 of our own staff have been killed, many with their families. And yet the women and men of the United Nations continue to deliver humanitarian aid.
- I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA and to all humanitarians in Gaza.
Fifteen heads of state to speak on day one of General Assembly
Fifteen heads of state are scheduled to speak today.
These include:
- Brazil: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
- United States: President Joe Biden
- Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
- Jordan: King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein
- Guatemala: President Cesar Bernardo Arevalo de Leon
- Switzerland: President Viola Amherd
- Colombia: President Gustavo Petro Urrego
- Qatar: Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
- South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Maldives: President Mohamed Muizzu
- Tajikistan: President Emomali Rahmon
- Lithuania: President Gitanas Nauseda
- Sierra Leone: President Julius Maada Bio
- Serbia: President Aleksandar Vucic
- Angola: President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco
- Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
