Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, said “the international community is today confronted with a broad spectrum of critical issues that weigh heavily on the human conscience”, requiring genuine cooperation and collective responsibility for an effective resolution.  While the climate crisis is a priority for his country and requires urgent transition to clean energy sources, “there remains another human and political issue deeply painful and enduring that must take precedence in our deliberations and decisions”: the Palestinian question.  Having persisted too long with its “suffering unbearable” it is time “to end the occupation to undo the injustice and to restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people through the implementation of the two-State solution,” he said.

Describing the recognition of the State of Palestine as “the most crucial step in this critical phase of the history of the Palestinian cause”, he said Oman is committed to working for the region’s peace and security, engaging constructively with all parties.  “Yet, Israel continues to disregard international appeals, refusing to engage in a serious dialogue that will lead to a just and comprehensive solution”. And because its continued use of force and disregard for reason threaten the international system’s credibility, he continued, “it is our shared responsibility to intensify our efforts and to apply effective pressure to bring Israel to the negotiating table”, as the path to peace cannot be forged through dictation and imposing a fait accompli, but through mutual understanding and respect for international law and people’s rights.

He implored the international community to implement restrictive measures on Israel’s ability to continue its genocidal and illegal occupation policies as well as a “global peaceful campaign” towards lifting the blockade imposed on the Palestinian people. Further, he condemned Israeli aggression on Qatar, Iran, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon and called for sanctions on that country for violating States’ sovereignty.