STATEMENT DELIVERED BY H.E. AMBASSADOR MOHAMED EDREES ON THE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY DAY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

  Delivered by H.E. Mohamed Edrees

Head of Mission to the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations

25th November 2025

To the People of Palestine:

Mr. Chair,

Let me start by congratulate you and Members of the Committee for the excellent work you are doing towards the question of Palestine. I wish to convey the following message on behalf of the AUC Chairperson H.E Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

“On behalf of all African people, the African Union Commission and my own personal behalf, I send you warm greetings and strong solidarity sentiments on the International Solidarity Day with the Palestinian People. Today is not only an international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, but it is also a day to reiterate our commitment as an international community to support the Palestinian cause.

More than two years have passed since Israel started its brutal attacks against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. More than 68,000 people have been killed since October 7^th, and hundreds of thousands injured which has led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, and dangerous escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The deterioration in the region has caused and is causing unspeakable horrors, tremendous human loss and suffering. This threatens not only the Middle East, but world peace and security. The cost of civilian population is unbearable and unacceptable for the human conscience.

As members of the International Community, we cannot remain idle towards such dangers, atrocities, and suffering. We have a duty towards maintaining international peace and security, and protecting the people of the region as well as humanity, from the risks and brutality of war. We must act to ensure accountability with full respect to international law, taking into account the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of the 19^th July 2024, and the General Assembly resolution of the 18^th September 2024 that seeks to implement the Court’s advisory opinion. 

The African Union Commission continues to call on the International Community to assume its responsibilities concerning the question of Palestine and the implementation of all UN resolutions adopted from 1948 to date aiming at reaching a peaceful solution. The African support to the Palestinian cause is premised on the values of freedom, justice and humanitarian principles that Africa defends in the international fora alongside all those striving to ensure that Palestine regains its right to exist as a key viable State in the Middle East.

The African Union Commission (AUC) has consistently expressed deep concerns at the consequences of unilateral policies and actions, including the ongoing war on Gaza. The war in Gaza is unjustifiable and is contributing to a devastating humanitarian situation, which is a a war crime and a crime against humanity. Also, the city of East Jerusalem and its holy sites have never been in danger as they are now. Christians and Muslims are fundamentally deprived from practicing their faith and beliefs.

We call for an immediate ceasefire and the implementation of UN Security Council resolution in this regard. As well as the UN General Assembly resolution which calls for an immediate humanitarian truce and cessation of hostilities against the civilian population in Gaza. On another hand, we call for the release of the Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli jails and detention centers, and the Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.

Today more than ever before, there is a need for urgent and renewed efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict, based on the existence of two States, Israel and Palestine within the framework of the relevant United Nations resolutions.

 This is the only way to guarantee the fulfillment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian and Israeli people and to achieve peaceful coexistence, security and prosperity, and to ensure a better future for all the people in the Middle East and beyond. The current situation calls for urgent action towards ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian land.

The African Union Commission reaffirms its standfast commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, grounded in International legitimacy and law. The African Union Commission firmly rejects any incomplete and fragmental solutions such as temporary borders or the Jewishness of Israel.

The African Union Commission will work tirelessly with other international actors to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the borders of June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital and the realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinian People including the right to self-determination in accordance with the international law and the relevent United Nations resolutions.

Let us keep praying for peace, freedom and justice.

I thank you.