Latest news with #SecurityCouncil
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Israeli ambassador slams UN's 'mafia-like' tactics against US-backed Gaza foundation
UNITED NATIONS — Israeli United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon condemned what he called a "shakedown" by the U.N. to prevent Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) from working with the new U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). While addressing the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, Danon claimed that the world body was using "threats, intimidation and retaliation" against NGOs that dared to defy the international body's call to boycott GHF. The Israeli diplomat described the U.N.'s response to NGOs cooperating with GHF as "mafia-like." "Without any discussion, without due process, the U.N. removed those NGOs from the shared aid database. That database is the central system for tracking aid deliveries into Gaza," Danon told the Security Council. "This is the gravest violation of the U.N.'s own principles. It is extortion of well-meaning NGOs that refuse to kiss the ring." In the same Security Council meeting, Acting U.S. Alternate Representative John Kelley urged the U.N. to work with GHF and Israel "to reach agreements on how to operationalize this system in a way that works for all." Kelley also emphasized the need to ensure that Hamas cannot benefit from any humanitarian aid distribution system that is established. New Us-backed Aid Group Begins Distributing Food In War-torn Gaza On Wednesday, GHF said in a statement that it had opened another secure aid distribution site "without incident." The organization also addressed some claims about its operations. GHF said that, contrary to reports, no Palestinians have been questioned or detained while receiving aid. Additionally, GHF said that no Palestinians had been shot or killed while trying to get aid. Read On The Fox News App GHF disputes reports that its sites were overrun on Tuesday: "GHF anticipated that the [safe distribution sites] may experience pressure due to acute hunger and Hamas-imposed blockades, which create dangerous conditions outside the gates. "According to established protocol, for a brief moment the GHF team intentionally relaxed its security protocols to safeguard against crowd reactions to finally receiving food. No beneficiaries were injured, no lives were lost and all food available was distributed without interference. Order was restored without incident. As in all emergency response situations, particularly in conflict zones, this type of reaction from stressed beneficiary populations is expected and we remain prepared to continue providing lifesaving assistance should disruptions occur. "Unfortunately, there are many parties who wish to see GHF fail. Conditions remain very difficult and the lives of both Gazans and aid workers are at stake," GHF said in a statement. Israeli Ambassador Lashes Out At Un Official, Condemns Uk, France, Canada Statement On Aid The international community has not relented in its push against GHF. U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher — who once called the plan behind GHF a "fig leaf for further violence and displacement" of Palestinians in Gaza — has made his objections to the program clear. Fletcher made an appeal in a post on X to let the U.N. take control of aid distribution in Gaza. "We have the supplies, plan, will, and networks to deliver massive amounts of lifesaving aid to civilians in Gaza, in line with humanitarian principles, as the world is demanding," Fletcher wrote. Israel Turns Tables On Un Official Claiming 'Genocide' In Gaza With Basic Questions Earlier this month, Fletcher urged the international community not to "waste time" with a new plan when the U.N. already had one in place. On Wednesday, as Israel marked 600 days since the Oct. 7 massacre, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted that "121 trucks belonging to the U.N. and the international community" were allowed into the Gaza Strip. The IDF said that the trucks were carrying food and other article source: Israeli ambassador slams UN's 'mafia-like' tactics against US-backed Gaza foundation
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, May 29, 1975: India may be elected member of Security Council
New Delhi, May 28: There is a good chance of India getting elected to one of the five non-permanent seats on the Security Council falling vacant at the end of this year when Iraq, Mauritania, Cameroon, Costa Rica and Byelo-Russia complete their two-year terms. Though Pakistan is staking its claims with China's support to the Asian seat, the African, Latin-American and Soviet blocs are inclined to support India's candidature. India has been a member of the Security Council thrice before, once during the Korean war and twice at the time of the 1967 and 1972 Arab-Israeli conflicts, when it played a notable part in bringing about a ceasefire followed by some positive moves to prevent a wider conflagration. Pakistan also has served twice on the Security Council, but on both the occasions it tended to side with the U.S. on all substantive issues. This is not the first time that Pakistan is trying to come in the way of India's election to the Security Council by canvassing for its own candidature. At least twice before it tried but failed to block India's election. According to the latest assessment, India stands more than an even chance of getting elected even if China canvasses actively for Pakistan. It is considered highly unlikely that the U.S., Britain, France and other Western powers will oppose India and back Pakistan in this election. But it coincides in a way with the new American policy of playing tough with the Third World countries at the UN.
Al Jazeera
6 hours ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Palestinian UN envoy breaks down while recounting killed children in Gaza
Palestinian UN envoy breaks down while recounting killed children in Gaza NewsFeed Palestinian UN envoy breaks down while recounting killed children in Gaza Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour broke down in tears during an emotional speech to the UN Security Council, describing the 'unbearable' suffering of children in Gaza.
Middle East Eye
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Aid entering Gaza is like 'a lifeboat after the ship has sunk', UN official says
The UN's envoy for the Middle East told the Security Council on Wednesday that Palestinians are sinking into an "abyss" with a "manmade" famine stalking the enclave. "Since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza, the already horrific existence of civilians has only sunk further into the abyss. This is manmade," Sigrid Kaag, the UN's special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Council. "Death is their companion," she continued. "It's not life, it's not hope. The people of Gaza deserve more than survival. They deserve a future." The aid that is now coming in "is comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk", she said
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Israel using aid as a weapon of war: Palestinian UN envoy - War on Gaza
As famine tightens its grip on Gaza, Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour accused Israel of weaponising both hunger and humanitarian aid, warning that the war has turned even relief into a tool of siege, during a UN Security Council session on Wednesday. This hearing is happening against a backdrop of utter despair in Gaza and the sidelining of the United Nations in its efforts to bring aid to Gaza. The longest-standing aid operations in Gaza, of course, have been from the UN. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, stressed that Israel used 'starvation being used as a weapon of war, now we see aid being used as a weapon of war'. He pointed to repeated public statements by Israeli officials as evidence of Israel's deliberate policy of using humanitarian aid as a tool to advance its military and political objectives. 'There is cruelty in the bombardments, cruelty in the wanton destruction, cruelty in the blockade, and even cruelty in the distribution of very limited aid', added Mansour. He said Israel's deliberate manipulation of aid deliveries amounts to a new form of aggression against Palestinians already reeling under occupation. Mansour rejected the framing of limited aid deliveries as a humanitarian gesture. 'Who said these should be our choices? A full blockade against an entire civilian population, including 1 million children, depriving them of food, water, medicine, shelter – or a system of aid that is degrading, discriminatory, limited to food and limited in quantity, and which aims at the forcible displacement of the population and at facilitating the unlawful seizing of land.' Mansour also described the desperation of Palestinians who have been forced to break through barriers just to access basic aid. 'The images of hungry, desperate people storming out of the cages they were forced into, in order to get aid, is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. These are people, human beings, deprived of water, food, medicine for so long, and hanging to life by a thread.' The Algerian Ambassador asked the hearing session, 'How many more must die before action is taken by the Security Council? How many orphans must roam the ruins of Gaza? How much more blood must be spilt before this council acknowledges that enough is enough? The time for indecision is over'. On his part, the Danish envoy said that it is necessary to represent 'the overwhelming majority of voices in the Security Council when it comes to humanitarian aid being allowed to flow freely and at scale in Gaza'. The ambassador talked about the need for medical access as well, again highlighting the unbearable conditions of people on the ground and the growing concern among the international community that this could not be allowed to go on. 'The highly limited [aid] quantities of recent days are insufficient when it comes to meeting the needs of the populations, especially after 12 long weeks of total blockade. The images of desperate, starving people throwing themselves on trucks and aid distribution points are a tragic illustration of this,' said the French ambassador. Violent settlers assaults In the session, Sigrid Kaag, the special coordinator for Middle East peace, talked to the council about the need to allow the UN back into Gaza, to have unfettered access to the people there, to do the job that they are uniquely qualified to do. James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN said Israel must immediately let aid into Gaza and enable the UN to operate. "The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Civilians face starvation, displacement and trauma." "Our message to Prime Minister Netanyahu is clear: let aid in and enable the UN to operate, now," he added The Brtish diplomat also condemned the Israeli government's "unacceptable intention" to take control of the Gaza Strip. "Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law." He also condemned the israeli violence in the rest of the occupied Palestinian terriotries: the West Bank and Jerusalem. "Violent settlers continue to assault and abuse Palestinians, forcing entire communities to flee. In Jerusalem, provocative visits to Holy Sites and inflammatory language by Israeli ministers are adding to the tensions." Chanting 'Death to Arabs' and singing 'May your village burn,' young Israeli Jews made their way through Palestinian neighbourhoods of Jerusalem's Old City on Monday, attacking residents of the occupied city. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
