The ongoing violence in the occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel is of grave concern, especially the latest escalation in and around Gaza, reaching a level not witnessed for years. We strongly condemn the firing of hundreds of rockets from Gaza against Israeli civilian population. While recognizing Israel’s right for self-defence, it is important also for Israel to ensure safety and protection of civilian population, especially of children.
It is essential that the political and religious leaders make all efforts to calm the situation before it escalates to the full-scale war.
We welcome the strong calls from international actors to de-escalate the situation and we consider it as an obligation and responsibility of this Council to express it publically as well.
