Upholding UN Vote Supporting Palestinian Statehood
May 10, 2024
Justice For All Canada applauds today’s United Nations General Assembly resolution supporting Palestinian statehood. While symbolic in nature, the resolution's adoption by 143 UN member states represents a significant diplomatic stride towards addressing Palestinian statehood within the UN framework, including granting certain diplomatic privileges to Palestinian representatives and officials. This includes the ability to participate more actively in UN proceedings, submit proposals, and engage in international conferences, helping strengthen their presence and influence. It does not give the Palestinians full UN membership but recognizes them as qualified to join.
We echo the sentiments expressed by Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, who emphasized that Palestinians’ right to full membership at the UN and statehood are not negotiable; these rights are inherent to Palestinians.
This historic UN development arrives amid a horrendous Israeli-led killing campaign in Gaza; over 34,262 Palestinian civilians have been killed, 70% of whom are women and minors. 78,514 people are injured, and more than 8,000 are missing. Data from the UN's OCHA and the WHO reveals a shocking reality; Israeli bombardment attacks have destroyed or damaged over half of Gaza's homes, 80% of commercial facilities, 73% of schools, 12 hospitals, and 267 places of worship. 83% of groundwater wells remain unusable.
“The UNGA's recognition of Palestinian statehood signifies a long-awaited acknowledgment of Palestinian right to self-determination, a right enshrined in international law. However, Canadians are deeply concerned about Canada's abstention from this resolution, especially as a country that prides itself on upholding human rights and justice,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
It is sorely disappointing that Canada chose not to align with the global majority in supporting Palestine's full membership status at UNGA. Canada's steadfast alignment with US-funded actions in Gaza raises serious concerns regarding its inconsistent application of human rights policies, particularly concerning Palestinians. We urge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to clarify their position and address Canada’s clear bias against the Palestinian people at the UN, an alarming response from the government given the ongoing genocide already confirmed by investigations by the International Court of Justice.
Today’s promising statehood vote follows the United States’ callous veto of a similar Palestine resolution in the Security Council last month; this highlights mounting support for Palestinian statehood despite challenges posed by countries like the US, Canada, and others involved in providing arms support, transfers, and funding to Israel.
Justice For All Canada is a human rights advocacy non-profit with UN consultative status. Our work prevents genocides through grassroots education and lobbying efforts undertaken by our offices stationed across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Please consider supporting Canadian-Muslim-led advocacy by donating to our Save Palestine campaign.
Justice For All Canada applauds today’s United Nations General Assembly resolution supporting Palestinian statehood. While symbolic in nature, the resolution's adoption by 143 UN member states represents a significant diplomatic stride towards addressing Palestinian statehood within the UN framework, including granting certain diplomatic privileges to Palestinian representatives and officials. This includes the ability to participate more actively in UN proceedings, submit proposals, and engage in international conferences, helping strengthen their presence and influence. It does not give the Palestinians full UN membership but recognizes them as qualified to join.
We echo the sentiments expressed by Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, who emphasized that Palestinians’ right to full membership at the UN and statehood are not negotiable; these rights are inherent to Palestinians.
This historic UN development arrives amid a horrendous Israeli-led killing campaign in Gaza; over 34,262 Palestinian civilians have been killed, 70% of whom are women and minors. 78,514 people are injured, and more than 8,000 are missing. Data from the UN's OCHA and the WHO reveals a shocking reality; Israeli bombardment attacks have destroyed or damaged over half of Gaza's homes, 80% of commercial facilities, 73% of schools, 12 hospitals, and 267 places of worship. 83% of groundwater wells remain unusable.
“The UNGA's recognition of Palestinian statehood signifies a long-awaited acknowledgment of Palestinian right to self-determination, a right enshrined in international law. However, Canadians are deeply concerned about Canada's abstention from this resolution, especially as a country that prides itself on upholding human rights and justice,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
It is sorely disappointing that Canada chose not to align with the global majority in supporting Palestine's full membership status at UNGA. Canada's steadfast alignment with US-funded actions in Gaza raises serious concerns regarding its inconsistent application of human rights policies, particularly concerning Palestinians. We urge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to clarify their position and address Canada’s clear bias against the Palestinian people at the UN, an alarming response from the government given the ongoing genocide already confirmed by investigations by the International Court of Justice.
Today’s promising statehood vote follows the United States’ callous veto of a similar Palestine resolution in the Security Council last month; this highlights mounting support for Palestinian statehood despite challenges posed by countries like the US, Canada, and others involved in providing arms support, transfers, and funding to Israel.
Justice For All Canada is a human rights advocacy non-profit with UN consultative status. Our work prevents genocides through grassroots education and lobbying efforts undertaken by our offices stationed across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Please consider supporting Canadian-Muslim-led advocacy by donating to our Save Palestine campaign.