Bangladesh Urges UN to End Israel’s Illegal Occupation, Forced Displacement and Human Rights Violations in Palestine

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Irene Zubaida Khan, has reaffirmed the country’s unwavering support for the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. She also called on the UN Security Council to take immediate and effective action to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, settlement expansion, forced displacement and human rights violations.

Ambassador Zubaida Khan made the call while speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council on “The Situation in the Middle East, Including the Question of Palestine” at the UN headquarters in New York.

Strongly condemning the widespread destruction in Gaza, she expressed deep concern over land seizures, violence and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. She said Israel’s actions in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and other Palestinian areas were clear violations of international law and UN resolutions.

Ambassador Zubaida Khan said the Security Council’s deadlock had allowed Israel to act with impunity. She stressed the need for decisive action by the Council to immediately halt annexation, illegal settlement expansion, forced displacement and human rights violations, and to ensure accountability for those responsible.

She also called for the continuation of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and full respect for its mandate and scope of operations.

Condemning Israeli attacks and occupation in Syria and Lebanon, she emphasised the need to maintain an adequate UN presence in Lebanon and offered Bangladesh’s cooperation in this regard. She also strongly condemned the deadly Houthi attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia that caused casualties among civilians, including Bangladeshi migrant workers.

Reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to promoting a culture of peace, Ambassador Khan urged all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and comply with international humanitarian law to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.

She also called on the UN Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities effectively to uphold international peace, security and the rule of law.