Minister of Women’s Affairs appeals to end Israel’s genocidal war and protect Palestinian women

NEW YORK: The Palestinian Minister for Women's Affairs, Mona al-Khalili, called upon the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to translate its commitments under the Women, Peace and Security agenda into concrete actions aimed at safeguarding Palestinian women and girls from all forms of violence, including torture, colonial terrorism and apartheid policy. Addressing the Security Council at its session titled 'Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment' held on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the UNSC Resolution 1325, on women, peace and security, al-Khalili urged the council to exert pressure for the immediate release of all Palestinian women, especially the sick and minors, currently held in Israeli jails. Marking the anniversary of UNSC Resolution 1325, the Minister underscored its significance amid the most violent adversities faced by the Palestinian people, particularly women, since the Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948. She noted that since October 7 of the previous year, the Palestinian popu lation in Gaza has been subjected to a genocidal war, while apartheid measures have escalated in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. She called on the Security Council to adhere to its commitments to achieve an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza, put an end to the genocidal crimes, ensure the secure and unimpeded distribution of humanitarian aid and lend support to organizations providing critical assistance on the ground. The Minister further urged the UNSC to take decisive steps to implement its resolutions on the Palestinian cause and to respect the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion, which asserts the illegality of the Israeli occupation and emphasizes the need to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian Territory as soon as possible. Speaking from the United Nations headquarters in New York, the minister delivered an urgent appeal on behalf of Palestinian women highlighting the devastating impact of the ongoing acts of genocide and aggression against the Palestinian people, particularly the targeting of women and girls. She condemned the racist and illegal practices that threaten the future of the entire Palestinian population, depriving them of their fundamental right to life. In her appeal, the minister called on the international community to take urgent and decisive action to ensure the protection of Palestinian women, uphold their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination, and bring an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, in line with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed during its tenth emergency special session. She called for an immediate intervention to put an end to the Israeli onslaught and crimes in the Gaza Strip, and to the occupation's aggression in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. Additionally, the appeal called on the world countries to recognize the State of Palestine and emphasized the importance of conv ening an international peace conference that reaffirms nations' commitment to a two-state solution. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency - WAFA