Maldives has called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access in Palestine, amid the violent and aggressive attacks by Israel on Palestinian civilians and infrastructure.
The statement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, while participating in a joint debate during the United Nations General Assembly formal plenary meeting, under agenda items 37 entitled "The situation in the Middle East" and 38 entitled "Question of Palestine”. The meeting in New York was convened at the request of the Permanent Representative of Niger to the United Nations and the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, who currently chair the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab Group in New York, respectively.
In his remarks, Minister Shahid drew attention to the recent escalation of attacks on the Palestinian people, including bombings and attacks on worshippers on the grounds of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. He said the Government of the Maldives strongly condemns Israel’s violent aggression, and the excessive and indiscriminate use of force on civilians and infrastructure. He described these attacks as having far-reaching security implications for the region.
Minister Shahid further called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. He said the conflict has victimized the most vulnerable, including women and children, and that the international community has a duty to protect them.
Minister Shahid also reaffirmed the Maldives’ firm commitment to a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He described this as the only viable and long-term solution for peace, prosperity and security in the region.
Minister Shahid, alongside the foreign ministers from the State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Algeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Tunisia will also meet with the President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the margins of the joint debate to discuss the situation in Palestine.