Statement by Mr. Mahdi Ali Abadi before UNOG Executive Briefing with Commissioner-General of UNRWA

  Statement

 By

 Mr. Mahdi Ali Abadi

Deputy of Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Office of the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva

Before

UNOG Executive Briefing with Mr. Philippe Lazzarini

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

Geneva, 30 September 2024

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم 

Thank you Chair,

Thank you, Mr. Lazzarini, for briefing us regarding the latest updates on the ground.

Iran in strongest terms condemns the ongoing Israeli atrocities that continue with impunity. Israel's relentless and disproportionate military aggression, particularly its recent terror attacks in Lebanon targeting Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezballah, must be unequivocally condemned. This reckless threatens not only Lebanon but the stability of the entire region and put everything on the verge of fire. We warn against the uncontrolled and far-reaching consequences that could arise if such actions continue unchecked.

As of today, the genocidal acts being committed in Gaza remain at the core of Israel’s systematic genocide. I don’t want go through the figures which has already mentioned in this briefing. These figures are not just statistics; they represent a profound human tragedy and unfortunately the world is loosing its sensitivity to theses catastrophe. 

The apartheid regime’s disregard for international law is further demonstrated in its systematic attacks on UNRWA, which has stood with Palestinian refugees for decades. The regime’s baseless accusations against UNRWA are part of a broader effort to dismantle Palestinian hope and erase their cause.  

In this context, we must issue a stern warning: Israel’s dangerous precedent of labeling UN personnel as terrorists undermines the credibility and effectiveness of this vital international institution. This is a dangerous innovation, one that, if left unchallenged, could extend to other international humanitarian organizations. Israel is targeting the future of global humanitarianism itself, and if the international community remains indifferent -as it has been to many of Israel’s previous actions- this precedent could spread with alarming consequences.

We commend the efforts of H.E. Lazzarini, in ensuring that UNRWA continues to operate in the face of unprecedented challenges. We also acknowledge those states that have resumed their donor contributions to UNRWA, despite the Israeli toxic propaganda. We urge others to lift their suspensions and resume their support for the agency. Failing to do so would be a tacit endorsement of the genocidal acts committed by Israel.

The recent Israeli attacks have led to record numbers of displaced persons in Lebanon, internally and towards Syria, compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis. In this context, Iran reaffirms its readiness to work closely with UNRWA to ensure that the newly displaced in Lebanon receive the necessary assistance and support. We stand prepared to coordinate efforts with UNRWA to alleviate the growing humanitarian burden and provide the required aid to those affected.  

I thank you.