Arab and Foreign Leaders Condemn Israel at UN General Assembly

The opening day of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly saw numerous Arab and foreign leaders strongly criticize Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank, contrary to Israeli hopes that the conflict would not dominate the proceedings. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the "killing of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip," stating that the post-October 7, 2023, attacks resulted in unprecedented death and destruction during his tenure.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged all nations to "increase pressure on Israel" and warned of the "dangerous situation in the Palestinian territories." The Israeli delegation walked out of the hall during his speech. Erdoğan asserted that "no one with a conscience can ignore what is happening in the Gaza Strip."

Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, accused Israeli leaders of openly advocating for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, describing the events as "genocide and a stain on the forehead of humanity."

Jordan's King Abdullah II stated that the "expansionist ambitions of the Israeli government have become a regional threat," warning of "repeated incursions and geographical expansion in Syria." He also condemned Israeli actions in the West Bank, calling them a "war crime," and accused the Israeli government of ignoring the Gaza agreement, continuing attacks, destroying civilian infrastructure, and restricting Palestinians to a small portion of the territory.

French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the lack of progress on humanitarian corridors in Gaza, calling the situation "a spectacle that should shame everyone." He also denounced the "escalation of settler violence in the West Bank," stating it "deprives the Palestinian people of their legitimate right to exist."

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted that the Israeli settlement project known as E1 "threatens to cut the West Bank into pieces and undermines the chances of establishing a viable Palestinian state." He added that the war in Gaza has caused a "large number of civilian deaths, including children," and that humanitarian aid remains insufficient, with the conflict lasting longer than it should have.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar'a accused Israel of continuing its attacks on Syria, occupying new territories, and carrying out incursions and strikes.