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The Takeaway: UN General Assembly debate Day 3
UN Affairs
As the high-level debate enters a fourth day, The Takeaway looks back at key highlights on Thursday, with Israeli and Palestinian leaders presenting divergent views on the Middle East conflict and their counterparts from across the world weighing in on the far-reaching impacts of the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Why it matters: The Israel-Palestine conflict dominated the third day of the General Assembly’s annual debate, as leaders warned that it is affecting global food and energy security.
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking by pre-recorded video after his delegation was denied visas, warned that the conflict threatens “the very existence of the Palestinian people”.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and said that Israel had been compelled to fight back after the Hamas-led terror attacks of 7 October 2023.
Competing accounts underline deep divisions
What was said: The Israeli and Palestinian leaders presented sharply different accounts of the conflict and its causes.
- Mr. Abbas described the war in Gaza as a “genocidal war” that had created an unprecedented human tragedy.
- He called for the reunification of the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank; he warned against allowing “another ‘Nakba’” to occur, referring to the permanent mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
- Mr. Netanyahu accused the international press and social media of overlooking Palestinian attacks and rejected descriptions of Israeli settler violence.
- He also defended Israel’s attacks against Iran’s nuclear facilities, arguing that they were necessary for the country’s survival.
Food and energy shocks spread
The big picture: Leaders from other delegations warned that the conflict’s effects are no longer confined to Israel and Palestine.
- Comoros President Azali Assoumani said that the paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz and fighting in Syria and Lebanon threaten food and energy security in countries that import much of their needs.
- Portugal Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called for an end to attacks on neighbouring countries, merchant ships and civilian infrastructure, as well as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- “Everyone is being harmed” by the resulting energy and fuel crisis, he said, urging action to mitigate its impact.
- Ghana President John Mahama urged the international community to stop using “diplomatic euphemisms” over the human toll in Gaza, while condemning all acts of terrorism by Hamas.
Multilateralism credibility test
Reality check: Leaders linked the expanding conflict to the undermining of international norms and institutions.
- Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said that the weakening of multilateralism may be the most troubling crisis facing the world, but argued that diplomacy could still silence guns.
- Gambia Vice President Muhammed Jallow said multilateralism does not require agreement on every issue, but a willingness to listen, negotiate and compromise.
- Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley warned that without an equitable rules-based order, smaller States could “simply cease to exist”.
- Uruguay President Yamandú Orsi urged countries to renew trust and strengthen a United Nations capable of meeting current challenges.
Middle powers urged to take the lead
One way forward: As major powers retreat from multilateral commitments, several speakers argued that “middle powers” must play a larger role in global governance.
- Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten condemned attempts to undermine the International Criminal Court and urged middle powers to lead cooperation on human rights and climate action.
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country was working with others on new approaches to global challenges.
- He said Australia’s bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat for 2029-2030 aimed to amplify the voices of small and mid-sized States.
- The broader message was clear: restoring confidence in international cooperation will require consistent principles, stronger institutions and renewed diplomatic leadership.
Source: UN News
