Synopsis
On February 6, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned ethnic cleansing in Gaza, responding to Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries. Guterres emphasized the importance of international law and the need for unity in the Palestinian territories, while local representatives insisted on their right to remain in their homeland.Key Takeaways
- Antonio Guterres condemned ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
- Trump suggested relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan.
- International law must be respected and upheld.
- Palestinians assert their desire to remain in Gaza.
- Global leaders condemned Trump's proposal.
United Nations, Feb 6 (NationPress) The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has condemned the notion of ethnic cleansing in Gaza in light of US President Donald Trump's remarks about relocating Palestinians to neighboring nations.
"It is imperative to prevent any semblance of ethnic cleansing," Guterres emphasized on Wednesday.
He continued, "We must adhere to the fundamental principles of international law," during a session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
When questioned if his comments were a reaction to Trump's proposal, Guterres's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, remarked, "That would be a reasonable conclusion."
Trump stated on Tuesday that the US could simply "clear out" Gaza and relocate the Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan.
He suggested that the US should take control of Gaza for redevelopment purposes following the devastation caused by Israel's attacks, potentially using US forces in the process.
Guterres asserted, "We must strive to maintain the unity, contiguity, and integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza."
"International law ought to be upheld, and accountability must be guaranteed," he added.
The act of ethnic cleansing contravenes international law and, in certain interpretations, can be classified as a crime against humanity.
An international criminal tribunal established in 1993 by the Security Council, with US support, convicted Serbian leaders of war crimes related to ethnic cleansing.
Palestine's Permanent Observer, Riyad Mansour, stated that the people of Gaza have no desire to relocate.
He expressed that Gaza is "integral to our homeland, and we possess no other homeland aside from the State of Palestine. Therefore, we are not seeking other homelands or nations."
In a critical remark aimed at Trump, who claimed that his proposal was intended to benefit the people of Gaza, Mansour stated, "For those who wish for us to find a joyful and safe place, we would be thrilled to return to our homes within the State of Israel. That is where we were originally expelled from."
During the establishment of Israel in 1948, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their residences in the newly formed state.
Mansour expressed gratitude to countries that denounced Trump's proposal, particularly King Abdullah of Jordan and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, who were asked by Trump to accept the people of Gaza, as well as Saudi leaders who play a crucial role in the region.
Senegal's Permanent Representative, Coly Seck, chair of the Palestinian Rights Committee, stated that "those opposed to peace" were attempting to "aggravate the already challenging circumstances on the ground."
