Gaza War: Shettima advocates for Palestinian independence at UNGA
President Kashim Shettima
Gaza War: Shettima advocates for Palestinian independence at UNGA
Abdullateef Fowewe
Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasised the need for Palestinian independence amid ongoing conflict between the country and Israel during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima while addressing world leaders stated that Palestine deserves independence, highlighting the urgency of the situation, adding that failure to do so means the international community has failed to live up to the spirit and aspirations of the United Nations to rid the world of inequality, violence and domination of one people by another.
In a video sighted by our correspondent on Wednesday, Shettima could be heard saying “Today, we are all witnesses to the heart-wrenching situation in Gaza and other Palestinian territories. We cannot discuss war and peace, conflicts and reconciliation or humanitarian imperatives today without reflecting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been raging since 7th October last year.
“Of course, the conflict predates this period and has been simmering for a better part of half a century. What this tells us is that the international community has failed to live up to the spirit and aspirations of the United Nations to rid the world of inequality, violence and domination of one people by another. Justice is antithetical to revenge.
“Freedom is an inalienable right and a natural entitlement that cannot be denied to any people. The Palestinian people deserve their independence. They deserve to have a home of their own on territories already recognised by this very Assembly and by international law, which is being routinely ignored. Nigeria continues to urge efforts to bring back on track the ‘two state solution’ that offers the prospect for a new beginning for the region.”
The conflict between Gaza and Israel started on October 7, 2023, and has caused extensive civilian casualties, with over 1,143 deaths and thousands of maims.
Dailyeconomy on September 19, reported that Shettima at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
