Bangladesh has urged the United Nations Security Council to take immediate and decisive action to end Israeli occupation, illegal settlement expansion and human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, reaffirming its unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Irene Khan, made the call during an open debate on “The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question” at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday (16 October).
According to a press release received on Saturday, the ambassador expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and condemned the continued suffering of Palestinian civilians amid Israeli actions in the occupied territories.
She also raised serious concerns over increasing land confiscation, settler violence and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
“The deadlock in the Security Council has enabled Israel to operate with impunity,” Khan said, criticising the international community’s failure to take effective measures to address the situation.
She called on the Security Council to act decisively to prevent further annexation, forced displacement and violations of fundamental human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The envoy stressed that accountability for violations of international law was essential to ensuring justice and protecting the rights of the Palestinian people.
Reaffirming Bangla-desh’s longstanding position on Palestine, Khan said Dhaka remained firmly committed to supporting the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
She emphasised the urgent need to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, particularly those affected by the devastating humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The ambassador also called for full respect for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stressing that humanitarian organisations must be allowed to carry out their operations without obstruction.
She said international humanitarian agencies play a critical role in delivering food, healthcare, shelter and other essential services to vulnerable Palestinian communities.
Addressing the broader security situation in the Middle East, Khan condemned Israeli attacks and occupation in Syria and Lebanon, warning that continued military actions could further destabilise the region.
She stressed the importance of maintaining an adequate United Nations presence in Lebanon to support regional peace and security and expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to contribute to such efforts.
The Bangladesh envoy also strongly condemned deadly Houthi attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia that resulted in civilian casualties, including among Bangladeshi migrant workers.
She voiced concern over the threats posed by such attacks to civilian lives, regional stability and the safety of migrant communities.
Reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to promoting a Culture of Peace, Khan urged all parties involved in regional conflicts to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and comply with international humanitarian law.
She emphasised that meaningful international cooperation, respect for international law and accountability were essential to preventing further escalation.
The ambassador called for collective and sustained diplomatic efforts to end violence, safeguard civilian populations and achieve lasting peace and stability in Palestine and the wider Middle East.