28-07-2025
UN rights chief urges countries to pressure Israel ahead of Palestinian statehood talks
Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, urged countries participating in an upcoming conference on Palestinian statehood in New York to mount pressure on Israel to end the 'carnage' in Gaza.
'Every day, we are watching the unspeakable tragedy in Gaza and the West Bank with horror and frustration,' he said in a video statement.
Dozens of ministers will gather at the United Nations on Monday for a delayed conference to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The conference is co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
Ahead of tomorrow's High-Level Conference on Palestine—I urge all parties to put all possible pressure on #Israel to end the carnage in #Gaza & work towards tangible progress on a two-State solution
The world will judge this Conference on what it delivers
— Volker Türk (@volker_turk) July 27, 2025
It aims to lay out an outline for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's safety. The US and Israel are boycotting the event.
Turk called for 'immediate and unhindered' humanitarian access and delivery of aid to Palestinians in Gaza facing acute starvation.
'I urge governments to use the opportunity of this conference for concrete action that puts all possible pressure on the Israeli government to end the carnage in Gaza permanently,' Turk said.
