President Michael D. Higgins Issues Statement Before UN General Assembly Meeting

President Michael D. Higgins has released an urgent statement in advance of the meeting of the UN General Assembly later today.

Ireland is co-sponsor of a draft resolution which is due to be presented to the General Assembly.

“Given the urgency of the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” the President says, "both in terms of the risks attached to accessing food and the growing number entering the critical category of death from malnutrition – there is a call on the European Street for Heads of State and Government, the European Commission, the European Parliament and others to come forward with emergency proposals for access to those who desperately need water, medicines and food.

"This is a major moral moment for the international community,” the statement adds. "I welcome that Ireland is a co-sponsor of the draft resolution being presented at today’s resumed tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly under the Uniting for Peace initiative.

"The draft resolution calls for action from members of the United Nations, stating that the General Assembly:

“Stresses the need for accountability in order to ensure Israel’s respect of international law obligations, and in this regard calls upon all Member States to individually and collectively take all measures necessary, in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, to ensure compliance by Israel with its obligations.”

"Given recent suggestions that a Palestinian State would have to be carved out of a Muslim state,” President Higgins says. "it is necessary surely for all members of the European Union and of the international community to declare where they stand in relation to such a significant change in policy.”

The statement goes on to reference what is happening in the West Bank, where Israel is continuing ti support the theft of land from Palestinians.

"The announced increase in settlements in the West Bank is consistent with a policy of dispossession,” he states, "but is so blatantly in breach of international law that it requires a refutation.

"Today’s meeting of the General Assembly, and associated measures, are of immense importance given the human consequences of inaction.”