By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for the United Nations to grant Palestine full membership, urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to Israel’s “crimes against humanity” during a UN conference boycotted by the United States and Israel.
Speaking at a high-level UN conference co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, Dar condemned Israel’s blockade of aid and attacks on civilian infrastructure, urging the world to act swiftly to halt the suffering of Palestinians.
The conference, titled the “International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” aimed to rally international support for a two-state resolution to the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict.
But the event was marked by the conspicuous absence of the United States and Israel, both of which dismissed the gathering as counterproductive to peace efforts.
In a passionate address, Dar painted a grim picture of Gaza’s plight. “The blockade of aid [and] deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, including refugee camps, hospitals, and aid convoys, have crossed every red line of legality and humanity,” he said. “This collective punishment must stop now!”
He pointed to the deaths of over 58,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, calling it “an unconscionable breach of international humanitarian law, UN resolutions, and the binding measures of the International Court of Justice.”
Dar’s speech underscored Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine, going beyond rhetoric to offer concrete assistance. “Pakistan stands ready to extend dedicated technical assistance and capacity building support to our Palestinian brothers and sisters in key sectors such as public administration, health, education, and service delivery,” he said, pledging coordination with Palestinian leadership.
He added that Pakistan is prepared to contribute to institution-building efforts, including through the Arab-OIC Plan or any international protection mechanism. The Pakistani foreign minister also hailed recent European moves toward recognizing Palestinian statehood, singling out France’s decision as a step forward. “We welcome France’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine and encourage other countries that have not done so far to extend recognition and contribute to this global momentum for Palestinian statehood,” he said.
Dar outlined a series of urgent priorities for the international community: an “unconditional, immediate, and permanent ceasefire” across Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories, full humanitarian access to deliver food and medicine, and financial support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which he called “a lifeline for millions of Palestinians.”
He also demanded accountability for “war crimes and crimes against humanity” and an end to Israel’s impunity. “Gaza today has become a graveyard of international law and humanitarian principles,” Dar said, repeating a refrain that underscored the moral stakes.
He called for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction as outlined in UN Resolution 2735 and the OIC-Arab plan, and the deployment of an international protection mechanism to safeguard Palestinians.
He condemned Israel’s settlement expansion and annexation attempts, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, declaring, “We unequivocally condemn the Israeli Parliament’s attempt to assert sovereignty over the Occupied West Bank.”
Dar closed his address with a plea for justice. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said. “But when justice is denied for generations, the consequences are even graver. The question of Palestine has impacted the entire region and beyond. We must give hope to the Palestinian people.” He insisted that ending the occupation and securing Palestine’s full UN membership are critical to lasting peace. “It is time for freedom, self-determination, and statehood,” he said. “That will be the best guarantee for lasting peace in the region.”
The conference opened with UN Secretary-General António Guterres setting a somber tone. “The world needs to act now to secure a workable two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict,” Guterres said, calling the devastation in Gaza “unbearable.” He warned that there is “no excuse for wiping Gaza off the map” and described the event as a potential “turning point” to end the occupation.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed the call for action, stressing that the war in Gaza threatens the entire region’s stability. “Only a two-state solution can address the legitimate hopes of both Palestinians and Israelis,” Barrot said. “There’s no Plan B, political dialogue is the only way forward.”
France’s push for Palestinian recognition, announced by President Emmanuel Macron last week, will culminate in a formal move at the UN General Assembly in September.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reinforced the kingdom’s stance that normalization with Israel hinges on Palestinian statehood and an end to the Gaza conflict. “For the kingdom, recognition is very much tied to the establishment of the Palestinian state,” he said at a press briefing alongside Barrot. “Talks can only open first if the conflict in Gaza ends and if the suffering of the people of Gaza is alleviated.”
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