Washington: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has blasted Israel as an “occupation entity” that routinely violates international laws as it wages “brutal” war on Gaza and Lebanon, and urged the international community to act against Tel Aviv.
Speaking at the 79th UN General Assembly meeting on Thursday, Al-Sudani said conflict in the Middle East has intensified as a result of Israel’s unfettered actions.
Israel’s war on Gaza has resulted in the killing of 41,000 people mainly women and children. And its attacks in Lebanon have killed hundreds and injured thousands, said Al-Sudani.
He expressed “disappointment” in the UN and Security Council for not deterring Israel’s “aggression” against the people of Palestine and Lebanon.
Al-Sudani said the UN faces a critical test of its ability to ensure “international security, stability and human rights.”
“Today we are witnessing the UN charter and international laws being violated and the right of self-determination is ignored,” he said.
“The world is being pushed toward full-scale confrontation and conflict while the Security Council is powerless and without a role.”
He said that while there have been commendable individual efforts to resolve conflicts in the Middle East, a greater collective effort from the international community was needed.
“In occupied Palestine, we are witnessing a people who are being attacked by an occupying military force displacing millions without being deterred and killing thousands of people.”
Al-Sudani added that Israeli officials were acting with impunity. “Public statements of mass-starving of people and even using nuclear weapons against them by senior officials of the occupation entity go on without any measures to deter them.”
He said the Palestinian people should be protected from the Israeli military occupation. However, Israel’s actions have rendered international law merely “ink on paper.”
On Lebanon, Al-Sudani said Iraq would support its neighbor, and continue to send medical and other aid to the country.
“Iraq today and its government and its people, under the directive of the supreme religious authorities stands with Lebanon and its brotherly people as
it faces a new page of brutal aggression that seeks to plunge the region into a brutal conflict which is something we have warned against,” he said.
On domestic issues, Al-Sudani said his government was working to rebuild the economy and improve public services.
The ultimate aim was to transform Iraq into a regional trade hub between the Middle East and Europe.
