By Harriet Tornguvan
Abdullah Abu Shawesh, the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, urged the international community to uphold international law and reject "the law of the jungle" during a press briefing in Abuja, marking 43 days of conflict between Israel and Palestine.
In a significant diplomatic development, Slovenia recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state after a decisive parliamentary vote.
Addressing the human toll of the conflict, Ambassador Shawesh reported that, as of June 4th, 36,550 Palestinians have lost their lives, 82,959 have been injured, and nearly 10,000 remain missing beneath rubble that rescue teams have yet to reach. The majority of these casualties are women and children.
The Ambassador highlighted the plight of Palestinian prisoners, stating that 16 have been executed in Israeli prisons since October 7 due to severe beatings, medical neglect, and torture, according to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.
A United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) analysis revealed that approximately 55% of all structures in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged. Additionally, Shawesh criticized Israel's control over 88% of Palestinian water sources in the Occupied West Bank, noting that Israeli settlers consume significantly more water than Palestinian residents.
Shawesh condemned the actions of Israel as racially and religiously supremacist, pointing out that Palestinians recently marked the 100th anniversary of their Journalists Syndicate, which predates the establishment of Israel by 25 years.
Quoting a UN report, Shawesh noted the dire humanitarian situation in Rafah, where aid facilities are closing due to insufficient supplies. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a 67% decrease in humanitarian aid to Gaza since May 7, leading to the shutdown of kitchens, clinics, and hospitals.
The Ambassador accused Israel of exploiting the Gaza conflict to wage a more dangerous war and called for global parliaments to cut ties with Israel until it abolished its discriminatory laws.
He criticized Israel's actions against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which included attempts to label it as a terrorist organization and demands for the agency to vacate its premises and pay substantial land use fees. The European Union has condemned these actions, emphasizing UNRWA's vital role in Gaza's humanitarian efforts.
Shawesh extended heartfelt gratitude to Nigeria for its clear stance in supporting Palestinian amendments to a World Health Organization resolution. He expressed hope that Nigeria's respected political influence would help maintain international balance and prevent the dominance of jungle law.
