solyndra that the taxpayers of the united states we backed them for let's say $500 million. was that money coming from the ex-im bank or some other form of -- way to finance that? the speaker pro tempore: solyndra if i recall came through the stimulus bill. the recovery act. solyndra is a great example why you don't want the u.s. government trying to act as an investment advisor. it was a terrible deal. money out of pocket. kind of went bust. that was bad. the government, of course, when it's making these so-called investments, i hate when the government uses the word investments because it doesn't make investments, it's not making them for financial reasons. it's making them for political reasons. solyndra was a politically connected company. it was a business that is politically popular. solar energy. it was able to get all this financing that wouldn't normally be available to it. then it kind of all went to

hell. so you don't want to apply that model generally. you don't want the government directlying -- directing capital around in the economy for political purposes. you end up with corruption. inefficient uses of money, and you make the country worse off not better. which is what this should be all about. host: kevin williamson, the ex-im bank needs to be re-authorized by the end of kept. the congress comes back in september for 12 days. what do you think the likelihood is that they don't re-authorize it, that they do so? what do you think happens here? guest: if i were betting my own money on it, i would bet the congress re-authorizes it and attaches some sort of set of reforms that will be ignored. they did this before in 2012 they passed a whole bunch of ex-im reforms commanding they do -- demanding they do x amount of business with smaller firms and adopt transparencycy measures --

transparency measures. and they ignored the ruled passed. shows no sign ever ever deciding it wants to comply with them. the financial interests here are so strong and concentrated that i think in the end it will be very difficult for congress to resist the urge to re-authorize it. so it will probably attach some fig leaf perform measure to it which will be ignored. two years from now we'll be back here having the same conversation. host: kevin williamson, correspondentent with national review. you can find his writing on national review.com. thank you very much for your time. fun fun -- that's it for today's "washington journal." we'll be back tomorrow morning, 7:00 a.m. eastern time. now live coverage the united nations general assembly gathering to discuss the ongoing israel-palestinian conflict.

[captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014]

>> i call to order the informal meeting of the plenary to hear briefings on the situation in gaza.

as noted in my letter dated august 4, 2014, i have invited the following. mr. robert surreyer, united nations special coordinator for middle east peace process. mr. pierre, commissioner general of the united nations relief and agency for palestine refugees in the near east. r. pillay, united nations high commissioner for human rights. and assistant secretary-general for human affairs and deputy emergency relief coordinator, mr. kang. who is physically here with us on the podium. i take this opportunity to warmly welcome our secretary-general and our deputy secretary-general. and our distinguished briefers to this meeting. r. surrey, and miss pillay are

joining us via videoconferencing. i now give the floor to our secretary-general, his excellency ban ki-moon. secretary-general. >> ambassador, president of the general assembly, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. i thank the president of the general assembly for convening this concurrent resolution session on the tragic situation in gaza. as we meet this morning, it seems that the long overdue cease-fire is holding. for the moment the constant firing of hamas rockets and israeli missiles and mortars has subs side thed -- subs sided. we expect the parties to fully respect the cease-fire. i thank all who contributed to

the agreement, including egypt, the united states, qatar, the european union, and many other international actors. we have all been watching day and night. but of course we cannot rest as the suffering continues. this cease-fire has come at a price that is almost too much to bear. he disruption in gaza have shocked and shamed the world. more than 1,000 palestinians have been killed. the vast majority civilians. including hundreds of women and children. three civilians in israel were also killed as were 64 israeli soldiers. people on both sides have the right to life, but also the right for life free from fear. of course we understand the

limited security right to defend israel and its citizens from the threat of rocket attacks by hamas. at the same time, the fighting has raised serious questions about respect for the principles of distinction' proportionality in international humanitarian law. perhaps nothing symbolized more the horror unleashed on the people of gaza than the repeated shelling of u.n. facilities harboring civilians who had been explicitly told to seek a safe haven there. these attacks were outrageous, unacceptable, and unjustifiable. yes, we uncovered cases in which weapons were stored in a small number of abandoned buildings. yes, there were reports that

hamas rockets were fired from near u.n. premises. yes, let me be clear, mere suspicion of military activity does not justify jeopardizing the lives and safety of many thousands of innocent civilians. international humanitarian law clearly requires protection by all parties of civilians and civilian facilities, including u.n. staffs and u.n. premises. ur u.n. flag must be refrected -- reflected and assure protection to those in need. those who violate this sacred trust must subject to accountability and justice. the most recent case of shelling on a u.n. facility, the israelis were informed of the coordinates 33 times. attacks against u.n. premises

along with other suspected breaches of international law must be swiftly investigated. here before the general assembly i want to convey a direct message to the many u.n. colleagues serving the people of gaza under these grueling circumstances. thank you for your bravery. thank you for your sacrifice. thank you for saving lives. i join you in mourning our fallen colleagues and pay them my highest attribute. tomorrow the u.n. flag will be flown at half-mast in their memory. we will carry on their work. mr. president, excellencies, you will soon hear from u.n. officials about this humanitarian catastrophe in gaza. i urge all member states to respond swiftly and general russly to the emergency apeerns

to address these most oppressing humanitarian needs. the image tasked before us is meeting the dire and urgent humanitarian needs of the people of gaza. providing care to the many wounded and traumatized, ensuring that people have food and water, housing the many homeless families and repairing vital infrastructure. we now face an enormous reconstruction task in the attered rubble of gaza where schools and hospitals and homes have been destroyed and damaged. we must do even more. address the must underlying issues of the country. ending rocket fire from gaza, or

bring the crossings, lifting the blockade, and bringing gaza back under one palestinian government. i urge the parties to heed the international community's call to return to negotiations in order to end to the country between israelis and palestinians, are committed to a viable two-state solution. the nightmare of the last four weeks has been a terrible reminder that only a negotiated political settlement can bring security and peace to israelis and palestinians alike. negotiated ly a political settlement can bring security and peace to palestinians and israelis alike. only from the exercise of political leadership with both

sides -- will both sides enjoy the better future their people yearn for and deserve. mr. president, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, as the secretary-general i have made repeated visits to the region. including to gaza. i have seen the scourge of war etched in the faces of women and children. n 2009, i stood before a warehouse, still smoldering from the aftermath of an israeli attack. and yet the attacks happened again and again. before my most recent trip, i had already traveled to the before to help end hostilities in gaza. yet the attacks happened again then and now. the senseless cycle of suffering must and the west bank

end. we have to continue to like his, build, destroy, build and destroy. when you build again, but this must be the last time. to rebuild. his must stop now. must go back to the negotiating table. we must not repeat this way, periodically. why? both parties are putting all international community citizens, always unease and concern. looking at helplessly many people being killed. united nations stands ready to make this last time. we have to do everything possible to help those in need and support the peace process. i count on the engagement of all

of you and i urge the parties to accept their responsibility for peace and for future generations of their people. thank you very much. >> i thank the secretary-general for his statement. i now give the floor to the united nations special coordinator for the middle east peace process who is joining us via videoconference. >> thank you, mr. president. secretary-general, dear colleagues, and distinguished members of the general assembly. i'm sure we are all very much relieved with our secretary-general to answer almost a month of bloodshed. the parties have committed to a humanitarian cease-fire which so far has been respected by both sides. i am now in cairo to support the important talks to be held on the egyptian soil. we commend the efforts of egypt and the parties for entering

into this dialogue to make the cease-fire durable and address the underlying issues. like the secretary-general, i carry with me an experience of three wars in six years between israel and gaza. it would be cynical and irresponsible if yet again the talks would lead us to the brief status quo. my initial estimates the destruction of gaza is worse han the 2008-2009 war. the death toll is greater for sure including the israeli side. as my colleagues say, gaza's needs are immense. from the onset of this crisis, the united nations has declared every possible effort, including through the personal engagement of the secretary-general, to bring about an end to the violence. in this regard we work closely together with regional and international stakeholders. throughout our primary goal has

been stop the fighting and intolerable loss of life and has been painful to see it taking so long. until earlier occasion, the united nations as been successful in forcing a humanitarian force to allow them to go on with their daily lives so disrupted by the hostilities. on 17 july, the guns fell silent for five hours, allowing civilians to care for their injured, restock with food and other supplies, or get out. repairs to vital civilian water and energy infrastructure were also initiated. on the 25th of july, responding to the call of the secretary-general, at the end of his trip from cairo, the parties acreed greed to another cease-fire. giving civilians another such window. this lull in the fighting gives the civilians much needed

reprieve from violence. also showing parties could agree to deterring hostilities if they wanted. each time a cease-fire expired, espite our best efforts to extend it, the violence waged on and claimed more victims. that is why we have been seeking in a concerted international effort a prolonged cease-fire that would hold and lead over to a durable calm negotiations in cairo. as a result of intensive diplomatic efficiency on the 25th of july secretary-general, secretary kerry together announced the humanitarian cease-fire for a period of 72 hours. based on ashurepses by the parties we have good reasons to hope that the cease-fire would be respected and prevent further lives from being lost. unfortunately, our hopes were shattered only a few hours after the beginning of the cease-fire. it took four days of unacceptable violence for the parties to agree to another 72-hour unconditional seats fire

. we again hoped this new cease-fire announced a few days ago, we are hopeful this cease-fire stands a better chance to hold as israel has ceased its operations in gaza in the meantime. and has withdrawn its troops from gaza. meaning that the parties are no longer confronting each other in immediate proximity. still, we urge the parties to exercise their utmost restraint. refrain from any actions that could be interpreted as a breach of the cease-fire. and report rather than retaliate. distinguished members, part of the fundamental issues that are at the root of instability and the development of gaza have already been identified in security council resolution 1860 back in 2009. but they remain unimplemented. the basic equation is, take the block aid from gaza, address

israel's legitimate security needs. for the past six years, gaza has been inflicted by far too much restrictions on exit and entry, despite some cessation of u.n. project works. such a drift will no longer do. give the massive destruction that has been wrought on gaza, the scale which we are only beginning to comprehend. gaza's legal cross must be opened and they must be opened in such a way that's compatible with israel's security concerns. measures that would conjure legal trade. and safeguard civilian use of goods and materials entering gaza. it is my conviction that the way to achieve these two interrelated goals is to bring back the palestinian authority to gaza. the underlying issues plaguing gaza stand a far better chance of being resolved if they are

part of a comprehensive effort to reunite the palestinian territory under one legitimate government. as part of this effort, it is imperative to address the issue of governance. tens of thousands of employees and working in gaza are not getting paid. while over 60,000 employees continue to receive salaries without performing essential government functions that gaza so desperately needs. this is simply not sustainable. we are looking forward to the palestinian authority issuing its rightful responsibilities in gaza. and we are encouraged that the formation of a unified palestinian delegation now present here in cairo to address these issues through talks under their leadership. as part of this exercise, the consensus should reply its own restructured security forces to

gaza, redeployment to the southeastern gaza would be an urgent and most useful step that would go a long way towards enabling the full reopening of the crossings. as needed, the u.n. or other organizations can offer practical assistance to this process. including with extra peace on the important issue of security sector reform. mr. president, distinguished members, the united nations will work hard for this agenda. we owe it to the gazans. we believe we can make an important contribution in advancing the comprehensive approach that gaza now needs to bring about a change for the better. my own office stands ready to play a role, alongside the palestinian authority, in ensuring this positive transformative agenda is implemented. we also need action by the membership, including the security council at the

appropriate time. the support of international community will be key. while it is now primarily the responsibility of the parties to move forward in a way that will lead gaza and israel away from the brink and out of crisis for good. with all eyes on gaza and understandably so, given the magnitude of the emergency, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. the escalation just behind us, coupled with the tense situation in the west bank in east jerusalem, is a warning of the bleak reality before us if we do not come to the one state reality on the ground. and restore hope and prospect for a two-state solution. israel and palestine living side by side in peace and security. this crisis is also a symptom of our collective failure for such a prolonged period to help the parties end the conflict and end the occupation that began in 1967. we must urgently support the

parties in finding a way back to negotiations and restoring a political horizon. hank you, mr. president. >> i thank you, special coordinator for the middle east peace process for his briefing. i'll give the floor to the commissioner general who is also oining us via videoconference. >> thank you very much, mr. president. mr. president, mr. secretary-general, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, allow me first to thank secretary-general for his important remarks about the conflict that has unfloweded in gaza since 8th july. and also to add my voice to give appeal to the international community to take decisive action to address the causes and consequences of this most recent

round of violence. in that regard i convey my utmost appreciation to the president of the general assembly for convening this informal briefing which further advances the general assembly's rightful role in addressing this humanitarian needs and well-being of the refugees and in pursuit of a just and comprehensive resolution of arab-israeli conflict, including the plight of the refugees. that goal is central to the work on behalf of palestine refugees. through the mandate given to us by the general assembly, i remind the membership that more than anyone else it is the refugees themselves, now five million strong, that count on your commitment to assist and . mmit in gaza today we are experiencing the second day of the 72-hour truce which like many others one hopes will be

consolidate food a lasting cessation of hostilities. it is a bittersweet moment. on the one hand the fighting and killing has stopped for now and this was perfectly needed. on the other, it's the moment when the full extent of the staggering and frankly catastrophic human cost of the war becomes fully visible. in excess of 1,800 people killed and 9,500 injured, many of them civilians. 450,000 people displaced by the fighting or disruptions from the israeli defense forces. of these, 270,000 were sheltered in schools throughout the gaza strip. this was over five times the number we had in installations during the 2008 and 2009 conflict. nothing brought home to me the suffering and pain more vividly

than my recent visits to the hospital in gaza where the broken bodies of children, some very young children, and the look of despair and powerlessness on the faces of their parents and relatives, conveyed to me once again a universal tale in war. it was a reminder that death and injury is never and should never be allowed to be anonymous. palestinians are not statistics. if we have the time, mr. president, i would share with you some of the stories behind the young and oldest civilian victims of this conflict. behind each and every one of them, there is a personal history and destiny, just as important as any of ours. this conflict has not seen only buildings and infrastructure damaged. it has seen people, families, and communities torn apart.

i have said previously from gaza and repeat here that the firing of rockets by armed groups in gaza into israeli cities and endangering or killing israeli civilians was unacceptable and had to cease. he conflict did not spare umra installations and staff. 90 of our premises have been damaged. six of our schools were hit directly by shelling or affected by rocket fire in their immediate have a sinity with sear -- vicinity with serious loss of life and injuries. this is particularly the case in baharoon and others. we condemn such an action by israel unreservedly. we cannot comme herseth sandlin why they occurred and even less, why they happened so repeatedly. we have asked for investigations to be carried out and for accountability.

there were also three incidents where weapons were stored by armed groups in some our unused schools. the world knows about these because umra inspections work. we informed on the ground and in the world through our clear and deliberate public communications and condemnation of these abuses of the sanctity of umra premises. as it's plain to see the population of gaza and the umra team present on the ground have gone through a lot in recent weeks. i seize this opportunity, mr. president, to express my deepest appreciation to my umra colleagues in gazz, all 12,500 of them, for their dedication and courage. i wish to inform you that as of this morning all flags across umra fields and installations are flying at half-mast to honor the memory of the 11 colleagues who lost their lives since the

beginning of this conflict, swems umra staff who were killed in other fields of operations, mostly syria. we are honored and touched by the many expresses of sympathy and actions of support we have witnessed and i am most grateful to the secretary-general for his expression of joining this initiative as of tomorrow. . excellencies, distinguished delegates, since yesterday morning, at the beginning of the truth, an estimated 100,000 that were sheltered in unrwa schools are returning to their homes, leaving our shelters in the hope of rebuilding their shattered lives. the most foremost question they will face, and we, with them, what are they going back to? some will find homes damage. others, completely destroyed. they will return to neighborhoods where there is no electricity because the gaza

power plant has been destroyed and as a result in the water is available. even the neighborhoods where despite the difficulties children played in the streets and familial bonds were forged, it is reminded that beyond the physical destruction, the population of gaza will have to deal with the emotional and psychological scars from this end of the rounds of conflict. remember, that a seven-year-old boy or girl in gaza today has now experienced three successive conflict in six years and only known life under blockade. scarser also that these and could a powerful sense of being abandoned by the world, a failure to be protected, whether they are in unrwa or beyond, will have a lasting effect. should the current cease-fire hold, the situation presents unrwa and other agencies with formidable human challenges to address in the coming months.

emergency be ongoing humanitarian and recovery needs for hundreds of thousands of april, those remaining shelters, those -- of people, those remaining in shelters, those going home, seeking to rebuild their lives. it will require food aid to families unable to meet their needs and emergency employment to inject modest resources into households whose incomes and savings have been depleted. also, a labor force to the repairing of the structure. hygiene is at risk throughout the densely populated territory, and under these circumstances disease outbreaks are becoming a serious concern. i note that gaza's raining season is a little more than two months away. furthermore, there is a pressing question of how we bring unrwa's

250,000 people back to school at the end of this month with a public school system that is imploding. we continue to use a large number of schools to shelter thelaced persons and pressure to accommodate schools -- children should they be unable to open. we are engaging governments of the highest level. more widely, upcoming rapid assessments will tell us more about the extent of reconstruction needs that will need to be addressed whether homes, public buildings, or vital infrastructure. with decisive support from the hasial coordinator, unrwa been engaging the israeli authorities with a view to addressing the disastrous conditions. we welcome the engagement of israeli authorities and call on them to address the u.n. family's requirements on an urgent raises.

in closing, allow me to share with you my firm really fed for real progress and change -- firm belief for real progress and , it is time for comprehensive action to resolve the underlying issues at stake in gaza and in the wider israeli-palestinian conflict. on my very first visit to gaza as commissioner general in april of this year, i pointed up the situation for the population of gaza and palestine refugees was utterly unsustainable. be sure, israel has legitimate security concerns that must be addressed. at the same time, the legal blockade of gaza must be -- the algal blockade -- illeg must be of gaza will -- lifted.

until then, gaza remains perpetually dependent on humanitarian assistance. as is all too well-known, nowhere in the world does humanitarian assistance alone make up for the denial of dignity and rights. i you i, mr. -- i thank you, mr. president. >> thank you, commissioner general of unrwa, for this briefing. i give the floor to navanethem pillay, who is also joining us by video conference. >> mr. president, distinguished members of the general assembly, excellencies, the hostilities between israel, hamas, and other armed groups in gaza has been going on for almost a month, causing immeasurable suffering and damage. the current tenuous cease-fire offers a critical chance for the

parties to move forward from violence to these. .longside -- to peace alongside others in the international community, i have repeatedly stated to all parties that civilians must not be targeted and must be protected. some 1600 civilians including more than 400 children have been theed and injured since night of the seventh of july. for castilian civilians caught in the midst of the hostilities, there is little protection or refuge to be found. true israelis have been facing rockets. three civilians have been killed and dozens more wounded.

i have consistently condemned the indiscriminate rocket fire from gaza into israel, and to have been equally clear that should not be located in densely populated areas. however, i reiterate that actions by one party do not absolve the other party of its obligations under international law. thernational law requires distinction between civilian and combatant, and civilian objects and military objectives. a portion out a and precaution -- proportionality and precaution in attack. any violation of these principles must be condemned and may amount to war crimes. the current conflict in gaza

cannot be viewed in isolation from repeated israeli military operations in gaza or the protracted occupation. in 1967 the security council resolution 242 affirmed that fulfillment of the principles of the united nations chapter requires the withdrawal of israel's armed forces from areas occupied in a just settlement. that resolution, like many subsequent resolutions related to the occupied palestinian territory has been ignored. those in gaza today are refugees. and accessstilities to restricted areas have made

life in gaza virtually unsustainable. the occupation in gaza and the west thank including east jerusalem, our human rights, including the right to self determination, must be addressed. the humanitarian situation in gaza is a breaking point. thousands of homes have been destroyed and hundreds of thousands of palestinians have been displaced. people need water, food, shelter, electricity, and above hospitalsy, however buildings nations have not been protected. it must be safeguarded.

these locations must be respected at all times. significant -- all necessary precautions should be taken. it is a terrible failure for avert yetot to act to another devastating crisis in gaza, one that has now therseded in casualties and occupations of 2008 and 2009. the need for investigation and accountability was raised then, and after the 2012 military .peration, have not been met a lasting solution to this protracted conflict must be found. the commission of inquiry established by the human rights council last month will help to

assess act committed by all parties, thus beginning to address accountability issues activityo the current in gaza, the west bank, and east jerusalem. its conclusions and recommendations, which will be presented in march, 2015, should be carefully considered and followed with appropriate action. the 2009 fact-finding mission on gaza noted the need for international criminal court to address the situation. certain recommendations are still relevant today. role is to deliver justice in cases where national authorities have been unable or unwilling to do so. in conclusion, mr. president,

over the years there have been constant efforts to evade the binding nature of international human rights and international in israel andaw the occupied palestinian territory, but there can be no legalions to these wrongs. they ensure that our society maintains respect for common values and human dignity, indeed, human life. there will be no security without justice and respect for human rights. in dealing with humanitarian law and human rights law, and none violation of our essential for lasting peace.

the general assembly an individual states must act to bring the conflict to an end. the secretary-general has strongly called for talks to lay cease-fireork for a and negotiations on the anerlying issues, including end to the legal blockade of gaza, and to almost five decades of occupation. this is indeed the only hope for peace. thank you mr. president. you to the united nations high commissioner for human rights for her briefing. i now give the floor to the assistant secretary-general for you and general affairs and deputy emergency relief coordinator. mr. president, mr. secretary-general, on behalf of

u.n. chief, i thank you for this opportunity to brief the general assembly on the humanitarian situation in gaza. we welcome the cease-fire that began yesterday that has brought a pause to the guidance and some much-needed respite to the people of gaza who have suffered a month of intense conflict with little room to flee or seek shelter. it is critical that this cease-fire holds, and as the secretary-general has so passionately and powerfully underscored, a sustainable solution found that addresses the root causes of the conflict. 1860resident, over palestinians have been killed. dead,se identified as 1370 were --

civilians. at least 122 palestinian families have had three or more family members killed, accounting for half of the civilian fatalities. the israelis have faced indiscriminate rocket fire in which 64 soldiers and three civilians have been killed. over half a million people were over one quarter of the population of gaza were displaced by the conflict. this led for their life with nothing -- they fled for their life with nothing. people have lost everything, their homes reduced to rubble. people sought shelter at u.n. installations, public buildings, and open spaces when their homes and neighborhoods came under fire. posted 250,000 displaced people and 90 schools at the peak of the conflict.

180,000 people are still hosted in unrwa. schools including unrwa buildings have been hit and damage. we stand with the commissioner general insulation with the unrwa that has -- staff at husband killed. one-third of hospitals, 14 andary health care clinics, and differences have been damaged in the fighting. staffhan 40% of medical were unable to reach their places of work due to widespread violence. primaryall public health care clinics were closed. basic emergency care is severely compromised at a time when treatment, including for the more than 9500 injured is urgently required. hospitals and clinics have been overwhelmed by the numbers of

casualties and the severity of the wounds. doctors have been working in always and in parking lot -- hallways and in parking lots. there was already a critical shortage of medicals and disposables in the gaza strip. this past month, medical teams have struggled to save lives in dangerous and difficult circumstances and the damage to the water and sanitary and system has been events. more than one million people do not have access to water. gaza's only power plant was ,amaged by showing last week landing much of the strip into darkness, but the long-term consequences are greater. theitals do not have capability to power -- electricity to power critical machinery, water and sewage cannot be pumped. some people have been without water for nearly two weeks.

sewage is backing up and risks flooding low-lying areas and contaminating the water system, making the outbreak of waterbornee and illnesses a very serious risk. mr. patterson -- mr. president, it difficult,akes but preliminary reports really situation of utter devastation, particularly in areas that israel declared a no-go zone. large parts of neighborhoods damaged or destroyed. reports to the level of destruction to civilian infrastructure, private homes, and land is much greater than in previous conflicts. remain deeply concerned that the cease-fire will not hold. many people have returned home, but only to assess the damage, salvage what they can, and then return to the shelters.

some shops in the center of gaza are open and people are able to restock up. dozens of people want to what will have to remain in shelters despite the overcrowding, shortage of food and inadequate hygiene facilities. buildings designed to educate 500 children are sheltering over 3000 people. mr. president, throughout the conflict, humanitarian workers have tirelessly supported people with basic assistance. in addition to the valiant efforts of unrwa colleagues, food was provided to people displaced and those in hospitals. unicef is reporting -- supporting the repair of the water and sanitation systems. our ngo partners played a critical role in delivering much needed aid. the cease-fire has enabled the

support to be stepped up. we can now reach people that were trapped by fighting. they need to remain enormous. the population of gaza, over half of them children, were already destitute before the outbreak of the latest conflict. seven years of blockade had driven unemployment to 43%. food insecurity to around 47% of the population, and left approximately 80% of the people dependent on external assistance. significant and sustained international commitment is required to repair damaged the structure and restore livelihood. electricityation, infrastructure and networks must be urgently repaired, and to do so we need equipment and tools. we need more medicine to be sent to gaza. there is an urgent need to evacuate at least 50 patients a day to the west bank, including

east jerusalem. for those who can't return to their homes, we must provide the basic supplies they need. we need to find alternative venues for shelters, so the upcoming school year due to begin in three weeks is not disrupted. funding is also urgently required. the u.n. and partners have million tor $367 address immediate needs. membergly encourage states to respond quickly and generously to the appeal. mr. -- people need help now. this president, the world watched with horror the impact on children, surveillance, and restoring trust and dealing with the trauma of war could take generations. the recent -- witnessed blatant violations of international humanitarian and human rights

laws. the negotiations in cairo are critical. stability, peace and and israelis want the same. we cannot return to a state of active conflict where is -- there is an absence of protection for civilians. this the president, no gazan has .scaped his conflict unscathed the people of gaza are frustrated that the international community was unable to protect them and are looking to us yet again for help. . -- we cannot tell them. all people deserve peace and liberty. gazans have been denied this for too long. the blockade must be lifted. the fighting must end for good so that gazans and israelis can live free from the fear of in the reality of war and conflict. thank you very much.

the say thank you to assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs for her breathing. before opening the floor, i would like to inform numbers that our secretary-general is to leave at this time due to a prior commitment. i would also like to inform anders that both pillay is and sincerity

will need to leave shortly, a.m. -- around 7:15, so at that point i will raise questions. to either members, in order to effectively use the presence of our distinguished leaders, may i request allegations to make their statements as concise as possible, and not longer than three minutes. thank you in advance for your cooperation. the observervite of the state of palestine. excellency? >> thank you, mr. president. mr. president, i thank you for a meeting this meeting in swift response to the arab group's request to allow the general assembly to receive these

important briefings as we collectively considered the crisis in palestine arising from criminal and destructive israeli war against the palestinian civilian population in the gaza strip. as we seek to determine the most appropriate international response to this calamity based on international law, the u.n.'s political, legal, and moral responsibilities for the question of palestine, and our shared humanity, it is only fitting that the general assembly mobilizes and makes its contributions. i thank security general ban ki-moon for his president -- present at this meeting and is dedicated advocacy for peace, including his recent recent -- visit to the region and his efforts to promote a cease-fire. i also say to you i to the commissioner for human rights,

, the special coordinator for the middle east process, and the assistant secretary general for humanitarian affairs and relief theirder for their -- for assessing and understanding situation the gaza strip. on behalf of the palestinian people and their leadership, to convey to them and their teams on the ground, our deepest gratitude for their tireless efforts to alleviate to the extent possible under the catastrophic conditions in gaza the extreme hardships being borne by our people, including aid,gh the emergency including food, water, shelter, and medical care, and to raise international awareness for the massive human rights violations

and breaches of international humanitarian law being committed by israel, the occupying power. they have done so by placing their own lives in danger, and for this, the palestinian people will never forget their sacrifices. unrwa has lost 11 staff members, and we come again, express our deepest condolences to the u.n. family for the lives of the u.n. personnel so tragically taken in this israeli aggression. we would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the compassionate and generous support of states from all around the world for this enormous in an italian relief effort. although -- humanitarian relief effort. although nothing can soon the pain, sorrow, and anger of thousands of palestinian

families, and, indeed, the entire palestinian nation, grieving the loss of loved ones, including so many in -- innocent children, and of the one point 8 million people in gaza trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered -- 1.8 million people in gaza trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives barbaric israeli military campaign. we are reminding them they are not alone in their despair. today on the briefings the grim realities of the current situation, including the depths of human suffering, physical devastation, and humanitarian crisis must be ofed to the compound in

testimony regarding the crime and injustice being perpetrated for decades by israel against the palestinian people with impunity and without remedy. preciselyent, it is this impunity and lack of political will by the international community to ensure accountability that has continuously brought us together to address such crisis, and that has repeatedly brought shame to the global family, damage the credibility of the u.n., undermined international law, and allows the suffering of so many innocent people to go on for far too long. is saidty, while much about the rule of law and human rights, the constant appeasement of israel has fostered the above the law,is it immune from -- an immune from

punishment, even when it commits war crimes and threatens international peace and security. despite our collective relief that the humanitarian cease-fire at the moment, we remain deeply aggrieved by the death, distraction, it and deprivation -- devastation in broadvation daylight and in grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights law. nothing can justify the killing, including massacres, and the meaning of children, women, and men. nothing can justify the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, inflicting the humanitarian disaster with massive health, psychological, and development of consequences. nothing can justify inflicting

terror and drama on an entire people. while we are actively seeking an end to the violence with an immediate, comments, and durable -- immense, and , we willease-fire continue to call for full respect of international law, and appeal to the international community not to relent in this demand on israel's occupying power. we are also simultaneously seeking a just and sustainable solutions to resolve the underlying issues that have brought so much misery to our people, including an end to the illegal israeli blockades that have suffocated and disfigured lives in gaza for the last eight years, and we will not relent in exposing the crimes of the

occupying power, and in seeking accountability, fully aware that there can be no peace in the absence of justice. mr. president, we have all heard the briefings. the figures are staggering. the tragic stories and images of the dead, wounded and broken pain us, weighing heavily on our hearts and conscious. the death toll stands at more 1860 palestinians killed by the israeli occupying forces. all estimates indicate that at least 85% of those killed have been civilians, including the killing of at least 429 children, 243 women, and 79 elderly persons.

-- at least 122 families, as we heard this morning, lost three or more family members in the same violent incidents, totaling more , most infatalities bombing and air strikes that flattened homes on top of entire families and other israeli where childrena sleeping next to their parents were slaughtered in grave breach of international humanitarian and human rights law. 9560 palestinians have been injured, including 2877 -- 1353 women 353

have been injured by the israeli indiscriminate military force. many have been severely burned and many will suffer permanent disabilities including thousands of children who will struggle for the rest of their lives with the physical and psychological scars of an israeli brutality against them. hasisraeli aggression displacement suffered by our refugees who comprise the majority of gaza's population. over half a million people, more than one quarter of the civilian population in gaza have been 270,000d with more than having sought shelter in unrwa schools. 65,000displaced, and the people will not be able to return to their homes, which completelyither

destroyed or damaged beyond repair. in total, more than 5500 have been destroyed. more than 30,000 homes have sustained damage. this does not include the destruction brought by the occupying forces on other civilian properties and infrastructures, including hospitals, schools, mosques, sanitation, and electricity networks, including gaza's only power plant, all of which were critically struggling under the crippling impact of the blockade. led, as we know by now, has who is the u.n. and the describing as a disaster of widespread proportion. the critical shortage of

medication and equipment has left many of the injured struggling to survive and hospitals are near collapse. with vital supplies almost depleted and the lack of electricity leaving them and dependable and unreliable generators, placing many more civilian lives at risk . infections and other diseases due to lackthe rise of access to safe water, raw sewage in the streets, and unhygienic conditions, including an overcrowded school sheltering having theyet only capacity for hundreds. this horrific situation has compelled president mahmoud gaza a disaster area. there is a desperate and vast need for humanitarian assistance

of all kinds, requiring the mobilization of all humanitarian relief capacities at the disposal of the u.n.. we appeal to all member states to support this effort broadly, and in any way possible, including by contributing generously to the gaza crisis appeal, which presents the joint strategy of the humanitarian , tounity, including unrwa respond to the current crisis in the gaza strip. this is imperative for saving lives, for reconstructing the devastated gaza strip, and forgiving our people hope, especially our younger generation who have lived all of their lives under occupation, and in gaza have now been delivered another deadly war -- and the word another deadly war endured another deadly war

in their short lives. right cannot be invoked by israel to justify this premeditated military aggression the palestinian people that it has subjugated to unending oppression, colonization, and collective 47-yearnt under its military occupation of the palestinian territory, including in jerusalem since 1967. this belligerent occupation of palestine is the source of all ilse and and evils -- evils we are confronting today, and any effort to address this crisis and find lasting solution must the undertaken in this context. we must remind, repeatedly, there is no symmetry in this

conflict. there is an occupying power with clear legal obligations, including the obligation to ensure the safety, well-being, and protection of the civilian population and their occupation, and there is an occupied people entitled to the protections of international humanitarian law, including under the fourth geneva convention, and entitled to their human rights, including their inalienable right to self-determination and freedom. these rights are being grossly violated by israel, the occupying power, with disastrous consequences as the eminent more in today. this war has proven again that power isoccupying totally unwilling to uphold its socket -- obligations as it is

the direct source of the suffering and insecurity of our people, and we therefore reiterate a request made by president mahmoud abbas to the secure attorney general -- foretary attorney general protection to the palestinian people. the international community must uphold its responsibility and rise to this challenge and give true meaning to the pledge and obligation to protect civilians, which has been thrown into such grave doubt by this war on our people. we have begun the discussion with the u.n. at all levels and are ready to discuss with all --erested number states member states so that we can collectively determine how to provide this desperately needed attention until this occupation is brought to an effective and. this will also be the focus of

our efforts with high contracting parties with the geneva conventions where we have asked the depositary, considernd, to enforcement measures. it is our hope that our combined effort will bring about the substantive transformation of the situation necessary to bring calm and salvage the greatly dismissed and diminished prospects for peace. we thus continue to call on the security council to uphold its duties and adopt the draft resolution that is now before it in order to ensure a durable cease-fire and address the underlying issues that continue to be the cause of so much suffering and instability, including ending the inhumane israeli blockade of gaza. we will persist in all of these

efforts and remain unrelenting in the pursuit of the right's, justice, freedom, and dignity that the palestinian people have been so wrongfully denied, but which are rightfully theirs to claim, and i thank you very much, mr. president. >> i now give the floor to the permanent representative of israel, excellency. >> mr. president, winston churchill, one of the great architects of this institution, is remembered for his remarkable ability to perceive danger long before the rest of the world had woken up to the threat. in 1935, 4 years before world war ii, churchill criticized international community for standing by as germany rapidly

rearmed itself. in his words, the family of nations suffers from a when actions to act would be simple and effective, and active clear thinking and refusal of counsel until emergency comes in self-preservation strikes it's ngs.ing go the international community is once again facing a severe lack of foresight and unwillingness to see. contracted ofre stories of islamic terrorism, killing christians, boko haram is kidnapping children, yet this assembly does not utter

a word, but only muster outrage when israel asked to defend its citizens. the double standards are absolutely appalling. 1600 people were killed in july. in libya, clashes between rival militias killed 200 people last month. in nigeria, bo carron has slaughtered nearly 3000 people this year. -- :00 around has slaughtered nearly 3000 people this year. it might just be me, but i did not hear the arab group rally to condemn these tragedies. instead, the group gangs up against the only democratic nation in the middle east defending its citizens from totalitarian forces threatening every enlightened country in this assembly. i heard the heads of unrwa speaking today, and the special envoy and debriefings of high u.n. officials this morning.

they talked about addressing the causes and consequences of this conflict, so let's begin by reminding this assembly about something. when i headed israel's foreign service in 2005, israel turned every inch of gaza to the palestinians. serve as ais would model for two societies to live side-by-side in peace, but instead, hamas built a terror stronghold. we went completely out of gaza, grade them -- gave them greenhouses. gaza could have turned into an amazing place. does israel have an influence -- interest in gaza? we left gaza never to look back into gaza, but look at what hamas created in gaza. i have not heard a clear and unequivocal statement by the

officials of the united nations saying squarely and unequivocally that all attempts to achieve a cease-fire were broken by hamas. israel said yes to each and every one of them. hamas said no. you know, it is possible to order that statement. that israel has legitimate security needs that must be addressed. very nice words, but how do you address, how do you defend your thezens when hamas uses money that comes from good people in this assembly to build gaza, terror tunnels -- hundreds of millions. cement, steel, instead of building kindergartens schools, hospitals, creating a launching

pad for nearly 10,000 missiles. you ask yourself, my god, and that small place, how can they amass so many rockets in one place? those are the consequences? we went out of gaza because we wanted that to be a model for the next stage. some in thethat international community have lost their way. this institution was founded to stand for truth, for justice, and for moral clarity. this is no longer the case. instead of moral clarity, we see moral ambiguity. instead of justice, we see travesties of justice. and instead of truth, we see falsehoods and fabrications. youight be too much to ask to stand on our side in this battle between civilization and

barbarism, but at least have the decency to swallow your selective outrage as israel wages war against extremist groups seeking to eradicate the values that we all hold very dear. mr. president, israel is on the front line of the war against radical extremism. the battle we fight today is the same battle that you all will fight tomorrow. and al qaeda,is shares a disdain for democracies, a contempt for modernity, and a willingness to target innocent civilians, and it's, you have abandoned the only democracy in the middle east standing against the tide of terrorism. what does this say about your values? what does it mean for the next generation? this institution is being held

hostage by some in this assembly who are the worst human rights abusers. backed by somes members of the nonaligned numbers, may have the but they do not have the morals and values the majority to issue special sessions, condemnations and pushed through resolutions demonizing israel. in fact, i would not be surprised at the arab states passed a resolution saying the terror tunnels were in irrigation system and the rockets were nothing more than shooting stars. mr. president, israel did everything in its power to avoid this conflict. we accepted every cease-fire, even as the people of israel came under attack. ofe world witnessed hamas' cease-fires -- what were those understandings? fires.ceases, and hamas

we were left with no choice. we sent our sons and children into gaza for one reason, to restore sustained quiet in israel and disrupt the hamas infrastructure that has produced terror and violence for well over a decade. the lossekly regrets of -- deeply regrets the loss of innocent lives. we are as heartbroken as a each and every one in this room by the images of loss and grief that have emerged from gaza. to us, the death of any civilian, israeli or palestinian, is a tragedy, but israel faces an enemy that does not abide by any rules or morals. hamas sees no problem with abusing international humanitarian centers and religious is to shins for terrorist purposes. it stores weapons in u.s. facilities, transports terrorists in ambulances, and fires rockets indiscriminately from mosques, schools, and

hospitals, deep into the heart of civilian centers. six stories below gaza, six stories below gaza are miles of dense terror tunnels crisscrossing like a giant wave. reinforced with thousands of tons of concrete, and supported by massive teams. terrorerritories -- tunnels extend like tentacles into israel ending at the doorstep of our community. for years the international community had criticized israel restricting the -- building materials into gaza and international community sent -- thought they were sending money to build gaza, but in truth, they were only aiding hamas to build terror stronghold. directed its hamas budget underground rather than

above ground, proves once again that it has no concern for the welfare of the palestinian people. let me remind you that hamas has a seat in the palestinian unity government. this idea is absolutely absurd. s tos like inviting isi participate in the iraqi government, and yet when it comes to israel, this absurdity is somehow acceptable. few nations have the courage to commit that hamas is committing a double war crime, targeting israeli civilians while hiding behind palestinian civilians. fewer still have the courage to admit that hamas is willing to see its own children killed so that they can build sympathy for its cause. by not vocally and unequivocally commit -- condemning hamas, you are condemning another generation of israelis and palestinians to further suffering. there is only one way to achieve sustained quiet in israel and

build a peaceful and prosperous gaza. hamas must be disarmed. gaza must begin military, and the international community must divorce itself from the romantic fighters hamas'freedom . hamas has been clear about its intentions. a genocidal organization committed to the destruction of israel and the murder of the jewish people. a few days ago, an hamas spokesman called on palestinians to murder israelis by any means, and with ad i quote " knife, club, weapon, or a car, and does not run down a jew, killed dozens of zionist, means this -- he does not belong to palestine," yet the international community is not convinced of their dangerous intentions.

an israeli novelist and a peace activist expressed it best when he said "i have been a man of compromise all my life, but even a man of compromise cannot approach hamas and say maybe we meet halfway, and israel only exist on mondays, wednesdays, and fridays." peoplesident, the jewish marked a national day of mourning commemorating a chain thatwish tragedy's occurred on this day and stretching back thousands of years. i look around the world, and i see no and to the greeks, from the persian gulf, to the gulf of terror reigns. countless men, women and children are being oppressed and murdered by extremist groups. no nation and know people are immune to this threat. the jewish people know the dangers of intolerance and .ndifference all too well

in every generation, our enemies have risen up against us, and this generation is no different. for thousands of years, we have faced this threat alone, but it does not have to be this way. no nation should stand alone while his sons are kidnapped and brutally murdered by terrorists. no nation should stand alone when thousands of rockets rained upon our cities and towns, and no nation should stand alone as a 70 build a vast network -- as our enemy builds a vast network of terror tunnels to kill civilians. every member has a choice, taking firm stand against terrorism or stand on the sideline as the threat grows stronger around the world. support israel's right to defend its citizens, or support some of the world's worst human rights

abuses. stand up for peace and freedom, or sacrifice the ideas of this institution on the order of petty politics and personal agendas. 70 years ago winston churchill as thed as what he saw inability of mankind to act into the emergency comes. today, i am here to issue a warning, stand with israel and stand against terror before it is too late, before the danger lands end your doorstep and -- self on your doorstep and preservation strikes its jarring gongs. thank you, mr. president. >> let me thank you the briefers that were with us and have either left or are about to leave. the next speaker is lebanon on behalf of the arab state.

[speaking foreign language] >> thank you. [indiscernible] hear briefings by the secretary-general and the high officials of the united nations regarding the impact of the israeli aggression on the gaza andp, the threats challenges of the humanitarian level that result from it. with respect, i would like to thank the secretary-general, as for theirdame pillay , and a veryriefings painful figures that they shared

with us. i would like to extend my most heartfelt condolences to the united nations regarding the victims of israeli aggression against gaza. placeeeting is taking a 72-hour truce and we welcome the egyptian bank them as well as them for their efforts and we welcome the palestinian's delegations negotiations to achieve a permanent cease-fire that would lead to a lifting of the blockade on gaza to restore dignified life to our brotherly palestinian people.

president, over one month has , and the civilian population has suffered from israeli aggression which is ongoing. it is unprecedented aggression. beingege to gaza is punished continuously. 1850 victims,-- most of them children, women, and elderly. a few more figures -- 9000 wounded and injured, the majority of them children, women, and the elderly. a few more figures for you -- over 1100 homes destroyed, completely or partially. 450,000 displaced.

hospitals, universities, places of worship were all targeted, and the delicate of israel tells us that they are not fighting, that they are not waging war against the people of gaza. they withdrew in 2005. what he has omitted to say is that gaza is under a blockade and has been under a blockade since 2005. this is not war waged against the inhabitants of gaza alone. this is war waged against , against conscience all of the values and the principles that unite us. the israeli war machine has spoken. institutions the and the

it has worked to assault the united nations headquarters and facilities. recent events were the on the school. at tag as it was on august 3 -- attacked as it was on august 3. the school was a sanctuary for civilians. claimed so many lives. aggression which was condemned around the world. israel disregards the u.n. charter. it disregards all the united nations resolutions.

it disregards international humanitarian law and international law, more broadly speaking. president, we have not gathered here today to count martyrs. remainhere for those who alive, those who survived, every little boy, girl, young man and young girl, for every , taking their hopes ,o the international community that their fundamental rights are upheld. among these rights, the right to life. president, this committee's all are working on plans for human development for the population, covering decades.

for human rights, the environment, climate change. all of these have been set up at a time when 1.8 palestinians live under occupation. palestinians should be included in the international process. they need action. they don't need words. the international community standing behind these commitments, to provide them protection, humanitarian assistance. international community to work tirelessly for the reconstruction of gaza, to

make sure that they finally enjoy their fundamental rights. security,dignity and with peace in their states. 1967. the borders of peace is not impossible. the international community must assume its responsibilities. to put pressure on israel. to have it put in and to violence, shedding of innocent palestinian blood. and of course, to relaunch the peace process in conformity with the madrid agreements and the arab peace proposal. thank you.

next speaker, representative of iran, speaking on behalf of the non-aligned movement. >> thank you, mr. president. i have the honor to speak on behalf of the non-aligned movement. themovement condemns lethal, indiscriminate, and excessive use of force by israel. it pays tribute to the heroic steadfastness and unity of the palestinian people in the face of this brutal aggression. the movement demands the immediate and unconditional cessation of this military aggression, and collective punishment of the palestinian , aslian population in gaza

throughout the rest of the occupied palestinian territory, including east jerusalem. it calls for serious, collective efforts to ensure immediate cease-fire based on the egyptian oftiative, on the basis november 20 12 cease-fire in close quarter nation with the state of palestine. endorses thefully unified and legitimate immense of [indiscernible] in state of palestine, and this context demands also the immediate and full lifting of the israeli blockade imposed on the gaza strip, which constitutes the massive collective punishment of its inhabitants in grave contravention of human laws, and shortages ofute basic necessities and dire humanitarian and health care situation in gaza.

recognizing the role of gaza, the movement requests all members of the international community to help provide the victims of the israeli aggression in the gaza strip with humanitarian assistance on an urgent basis. president, the movement calls upon the security council to uphold this -- its charter duties and live up to it's expectations, and live up to the expectation of the international community to address this crisis situation in occupied palestine, and calls on the security council to adopt measures, i.e., resolution, to compel israel to militaryase its aggression against the palestinian people and comply immediately with all the obligations under international law. stresses the need to

investigate all violations by israel of international humanitarian law and international human right slot in the occupied palestinian territory, including east jerusalem during the movement welcomes the decision by the launchights council to an official, international, independent inquiry into all violations resulting from the recent israeli military against the besieged gaza strip. the movement also supports the request by the state of palestine for the record convening of a conference of high contracted parties to the fourth geneva convention to examine measures in accordance 1 to shown article respect and enforce the convention in the occupied palestinian territory, including east jerusalem. thank you, mr. chairman. the representative of the

islam acre public of iran. thenow, the president of european union. thank you, mr. president. i would like to thank the president of the general assembly for convening this session, and thank the secretary general special coordinator, commissioner general, high commissioner, and assistant secretary-general for their statements. i am honored to speak on behalf of the european union. the country of the association ,rocess, bosnia-herzegovina aligns itself with this statement.

it strongly calls on all parties to respect. rockets fired from the gaza strip must stop, and all offensive israeli military actions must come to an end. we commend the efforts of the u n secretary-general, egypt, and the united states to broker this and earlier deals, and hope this new agreement can be expanded into a lasting cease-fire. the call on all the parties not to miss this opportunity. president, in the past few weeks we have witnessed scenes which we hope never to witness again. we condemn the terrible loss of almost 2000 lives, including over 420 innocent children. many more have been injured. beene livelihoods have destroyed, as well as vital public infrastructure. that gaza faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. addressing this will require a

coordinated international effort in which israel and the authority must exercise their responsibilities. strongsident, they use [indiscernible] these are criminal, unjustifiable acts era to the european union calls on hummus to while recognizing israel's legitimate rightd to defend itself against attacks. isarm. the european union is appalled by the human cost of the israeli military operation. the israeli military operation must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law. civilians must be protected at all times. ,et me take this opportunity

particularly in the presence of the commissioner general, to thank our partner for its indispensable work on the ground . we reiterate our condemnation of anrahelling of the schools. it is thanks unacceptable that civilians taking shelter in clearly identified u.n. areas were killed. we call for these incidents to be investigated immediately, and for the results of those investigations to be published. there must be justice for the victims. we also extend our condolences to the families of anra personnel who lost their lives in these attacks. we also reiterate our condemnation of the placing of rockets and other material by militant groups in the u.n. premises.

the in viability and integrity of u.n. premises must be respected by all. this tragic escalation of tolllities and this death which exceeds that of previous outbreaks of violence should strengthen our resolve to ensure this never recurs. cease-fire tohe be durable, we must acknowledge that the situation in gaza is unsustainable. the need for a comprehensive change in the gaza strip is imperative. the solution to the current conflict will need to tackle the root causes comprehensively in order to avoid a renewal of violence in the future. to millionsptable of israeli citizens to live under the threat of rocket fire from the gaza strip. it is also an tolerable for almost 2 million people to be confined to a small strip of land without being able to trade or to move and live under the control of the military group.

to reach a long-term solution, two elements are key. improving the living conditions for the palestinian people, and ending the threat to israel posed by hamas and other militant groups in gaza. for this to happen, the palestinian authority must return to the gaza strip. the restrictions on gaza must be lifted. in this context, the european union recalls the provisions of un security council resolution 1860, which calls for arrangements to prevent illicit trafficking and arms and ammunition to gaza, and which can ensure the sustained reopening of gaza's crossing points, and reiterates its readiness to contribute to a comprehensive and sustainable solution meeting the legitimate security, socioeconomic, and humanitarian needs of israelis and palestinians alike. any such contribution will depend on the requests of our partners following the talks

which are currently ongoing in cairo. president, even at this difficult moment, let me make the position of the european union layer. the gaza strip constitutes an integral part of the territory occupied in 1967, and will be a part of the palestinian state. where twonsive peace democratic states, israel and palestine, live side-by-side in peace with secure and recognized borders must remain our objective. gaza should be given the opportunity to become the future palestinian state's window on the mediterranean sea. the deaths of almost 2000 people over the past month lead us to reaffirm it. even if developments on the ground, including israel's continued settlement activities, continue to make the prospect of a two state solution increasingly difficult to achieve. the european union has demonstrated its commitment to working with the prime minister

netanyahu and with the palestinian consensus government and the leadership of president this objective. we reiterate this commitment today. the european union will do all it can to support the achievement of a just and lasting solution to this conflict. thank you, mr. president. >> i thank the distinguished representative. floor to saudi arabia, who will speak on behalf of the organization of islamic cooperation. you have the floor. >> thank you so much, president. i express my gratitude to you for having convened this to enable theing members of the general assembly to be fully briefed regarding

the latest of developments on the israeli aggression against the population of gaza and the rest of the occupied territories. i would like to thank the , as well asneral various high officials for these comprehensive briefings. it is my pleasure and honor to speak to you today on behalf of the member states of the o.i.c. president, what more are we waiting for? we have heard testimony. mony which showed the extent of the destruction, of the killing, and the suffering of the palestinian people in gaza. what more are we waiting for? doing know what israel is , actions described at the highest possible level.

i am referring to the premeditated, direct shelling of united nations shelters, despite fullyct that israel is aware of the status of individuals who she -- seek shelter there. what more are we waiting for? there are international rules. do they allow for resumption of the killing, the bombing, and collective punishment? train of logic allow for return to the starting

point, the resumption of the implicate the suffocation of all life in gaza? ken peace prevail -- can peace prevail if the israeli ,ccupation, settlement policy and stipulation of the palestinian people's right to life, to freedom, and the right to create an independent state within the borders of july 4, 1967 continues? it is high time for you, the conscience of the world, the voice of the world, to say what you have to say. to usve to speak

[inaudible] to call for an end to the occupation, the lifting embargo on gaza. prisoners, and providing protection for the palestinian people in conformity with relevant united nations resolutions and international human rights. israel knows that the international system of justice is a weak one. israel only steps up its actions when it feels that the voice of justice is failing. to promote justice, to ensure that the perpetrators of crimes

against the palestinian people be brought to justice. gaza are facing a horrendous humanitarian disaster. this disaster requires a rapid response, to provide rapid assistance -- medical, -- thisrian, food assistance needs to reach those who have been displaced. the blockade on gaza needs to be lifted to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most. gazali aggression against is a [indiscernible] blot for mankind as a whole. to express our rejection, condemnation of this

assault and aggression. thank you, sir. the representative of saudi arabia, who spoke on behalf of the o.i.c. i now have the pleasure to give the floor to the distinguished minister of kuwait. states that member we have a very long list of speakers. request, repeat our don't make them more than three minutes so we will all have an opportunity to speak. i give the floor to the distinguished representative of kuwait. thank you very much, mr. president. i would like to thank you for having recognized -- organized this morning's meeting.

we would like to thank the .ecretary general statement the delivered [indiscernible] on behalf of the [indiscernible] for islamic cooperation. that highly deplorable what is happening is being described as a war. we believe that the israeli discourse in this regard is not truthful. the figures show us what the reality truly is. this is an aggression that is and that has taken a very heavy toll on the civilian population.

one quarter of the population were children. a huge number of people have been displaced. this is an asymmetric conflict. the attacks have been directed towards heavily populated areas. this is a violation of the geneva conventions as well as relevant international conventions and treaties. the international community represented by the security council needs to confront the israeli war machine, this murderous war machine. the actions of israel have surpassed all reasonable limits.

we have spent years at the u.n. trying to uphold principles of human rights. an enormousg now moral challenge with regard to these crimes. these are crimes against humanity. they are war crimes against all of humankind. responsibility needs to be taken for these acts, and the international community needs to take responsibility as well. thisric is not enough at point. immediatemand the withdrawal by israel from the palestinian territories. we would like to commend the commissioner general of anra and the high commissioner of human rights, as well as other united nations officials, for their

statements condemning the actions in this conflict, particularly the attacks on the anra school. authorities have disregarded their observations. they have disregarded security council resolutions, human rights council resolutions. they have only continued their pursuit, their course of action. it is as if they think they are above the law. the military actions against civilians in gaza are unceasing. the obstacles facing the civilian population only continue to increase. it is a humanitarian catastrophe. it is time for the international to say to israel that

it must stop the violence. it must stop violating its international law. these aggressions cannot happen again. they cannot be repeated. so that a take action durable peace can be achieved. the humanitarian situation in gaza is catastrophic, very dramatic. it requires basic services. emergency aid has been offered in the amount of $10 million. we would urge the international ,ommunity to make contributions

generous contributions, and we would like to commend anra and for their courage, their bravery in the situation. we would like to commend the palestinian people for their pursuit, their struggle to put an end to the .ccupation the head of their group has called for international protection for palestine, for the palestinian people. in that call for action regard. we would also like to commend its actions in helping to broker a cease-fire, and to help the parties engage in dialogue. thank you very much, mr. chairman. i think the distinguished

representative of kuwait, and i have the pleasure to give the floor to the representative of algeria. thank you, mr. chair. [indiscernible] as a result of the israeli aggression. you would like to extend our sincere thanks to the secretary representative. it shows the same time our provision of condemnation [inaudible]

[indiscernible] [no audio] the immediate cessation of the aggression, and to immediately address the him entering crisis in gaza --humanitarian crisis in gaza. the reason behind this move is that it our conviction is essential to stop the israeli