l’Algérie déplore le silence du Conseil de sécurité face aux « atrocités » à Ghaza
Summary of the Algerian Complaint to the UN regarding Gaza Violence
On Tuesday, during a session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York, Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amar Bendjama, expressed grave concern over the "silence" of the UNSC in response to the recent violence in Gaza, which escalated after renewed Israeli military aggression. He condemned the attacks as violations of the ceasefire agreement and highlighted the resulting humanitarian crisis.
Before the UNSC, Bendjama reported that medical sources in Gaza indicated that over 400 individuals, predominantly women and children, had been killed in the Israeli bombardments. He accused the mediators, including the US, Egypt, and Qatar, of failing to enforce the ceasefire, emphasizing that the violence against the Palestinian population should not be manipulated for political gain.
Bendjama stated that the UNSC session was not merely to recall the afflictions faced by the Palestinian people but to demand justice against an occupying authority that uses starvation as a weapon of war, which he described as a war crime. He urged the global community to acknowledge the harsh realities of the Israeli occupation, recalling Algeria’s historical experience with colonial oppression, and positing that the occupation’s persistent nature must come to an end.
He highlighted that not a single aid truck had been permitted entry into Gaza for over two weeks, noting that the deliberate blockade coinciding with Ramadan was an effort to undermine the resilience of the Palestinian people. Bendjama pointed out that 80% of Gaza’s population has lost access to food and criticized the Israeli occupation for using water as a weapon of war while also attacking Gaza’s food supply infrastructure.
According to Bendjama, the Israeli actions not only hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid but also dismantled Gaza’s food systems, complicating future survival. He referenced a United Nations Special Rapporteur’s findings that the Israeli government was actively blocking the transportation of aid and implementing administrative barriers for NGOs trying to assist Palestinians.
Moreover, Bendjama reminded the UNSC of the International Court of Justice’s directive for Israel to ensure unhindered humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. Despite this, the representative lamented that Israel continued to disregard international law and UNSC resolutions.
He depicted the situation in Gaza as one of systematic degradation of human dignity, deprivation of essential rights such as life, food, and water. He argued that this contravenes the foundational values of international order—equality, justice, and humanity—and condemned the blatant brutality of the occupation against innocent lives.
Finally, Bendjama criticized the UNSC for its inaction amidst the atrocities occurring in Gaza and questioned the council’s relevance and capacity to respond to human rights violations effectively. He called for the council to reassess its responsibilities and take action to end the violence and restore its credibility.
In Conclusion:
Bendjama’s statements illuminate a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid ongoing violence and significant implications for international law and human rights. Algeria’s call for action underscores the urgent need for a robust international response to address the plight of the Palestinian people and reinforce the values of justice and accountability within global governance structures.
