New York, December 13, 2024 – Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm stance on the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza as he delivered statements during the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 10th emergency special session on Palestine. The session, convened to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focused on two pivotal resolutions: one calling for support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the other demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. Both resolutions were discussed amid mounting international calls for an end to the violence in the region.
In his address, Ambassador Al-Wasil strongly condemned the continued violence and aggression in Gaza, highlighting the role of the abuse of veto power and selective application of international law in prolonging the conflict. He noted that these actions have allowed Israeli crimes in Gaza to escalate and the aggression to expand, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Reiterating Saudi Arabia's call for an immediate ceasefire, the ambassador emphasized the Kingdom’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their rights to self-determination and peace. He also welcomed the recent ceasefire in Lebanon but condemned Israel’s violations of the agreement, stressing the need for adherence to international norms.
Ambassador Al-Wasil also underscored the critical role played by UNRWA in supporting Palestinian refugees, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid. He condemned Israeli efforts to undermine the agency’s work, including recent legislation aimed at targeting its mandate. The ambassador highlighted that these actions only serve to exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people, and he called on the international community to stand in solidarity with UNRWA and ensure its continued operations in the region.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Al-Wasil expressed strong support for the upcoming high-level international conference on the settlement of the Palestinian cause, scheduled for June 2025 in New York. Co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, the conference is set to be a critical moment in the international push for a lasting and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Kingdom, Ambassador Al-Wasil reaffirmed, remains committed to peace based on the two-state solution, as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative and supported by international legitimacy resolutions.
In addition to the Gaza ceasefire, the ambassador condemned Israeli military actions in Syria, particularly the recent attacks on Syrian territories. He noted that these actions represent a blatant violation of international law and further undermine the prospects for peace and stability in the region. Ambassador Al-Wasil reiterated the Arab and Syrian identity of the occupied Golan Heights, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Following the discussion, the Saudi delegation voted in favor of both resolutions put forward at the UNGA session. The first resolution, which supports the mandate of UNRWA, passed with overwhelming support, receiving 159 votes in favor, 9 votes against, and 11 abstentions. The second resolution, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, also garnered significant international backing, passing with 158 votes in favor, 9 votes against, and 13 abstentions.
The passage of both resolutions reflects the growing global consensus on the urgent need to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza and reaffirm the international community’s commitment to supporting Palestinian refugees through UNRWA. It also underscores the broader desire for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one based on peace, justice, and respect for international law. Saudi Arabia’s continued leadership on the issue of Palestinian rights remains a central element of its foreign policy, as it works with international partners to secure a lasting and just peace for the people of Palestine.