‘Pivotal time for the international community:’ Kilkenny senator urges action at UN General Assembly

Social Democrat Senator Patricia Stephenson has called on the UN to show commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East and ensure that Palestinian voices are heard at its General Assembly which commenced this week.

Proceedings have already got off to a rocky start as the Trump administration refused to grant visas to over 80 Palestinian officials, including the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, prompting calls for a meeting to be held the UN’s other main site in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Carlow/Kilkenny based senator who is also the Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson says that decisions made in relation to Gaza and Palestine will serve as a marker of the international community’s credibility and humanity and also expressed concern over the behaviour of the assembly’s host country.

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“The UNGA has not got off to a promising start today. At a time when we are seeing genocide, forced starvation and the mass displacement of the Gazan population at the hands of Israel, it is more important than ever for Palestinian voices to be heard at the UNGA.”

Several member states have signalled their intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at the assembly despite furious criticism from Israel and the United States and Senator Stephenson has requested the Irish delegation to play a central role in utilising UN mechanisms to ensure any progress cannot be vetoed by a Security Council member.

“This is a pivotal time for the international community. Ireland must also call on member states to invoke the Uniting for Peace Resolution, which will allow the assembly to take action on Gaza by bypassing any potential veto at the UN Security Council.”