Atif Rasool

Right of Reply by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN In Response to Remarks of Israeli Delegate (UNSC Qatar Meeting, 09/11) **** Thank you, Mr. President, I'm obliged to take the floor to respond to some comments. The representative of Israel perhaps did not listen attentively to all Council members and other speakers in today's debate. And in our view, it is unacceptable, indeed, ludicrous, for an aggressor, an occupier, a serial violator of UN Charter and international law - that is Israel - to abuse this chamber and disrespect the sanctity of this Council. And this is not the first time! And by pointing fingers on others, baseless assertions, primarily aimed at masking its own illegal actions and violations of international law. President, but that's not at all surprising. It is an occupier that does not listen to anyone; that does not pay heed to any advice, even from its friends, if there are any left; that refutes, and not just refutes, it threatens members of the international community, international media, international human rights and humanitarian organizations, doesn't listen to the ICJ or the ICC, and threatens the UN and its senior officials; and it does that with impunity. Shielded by its apologists, who time and again acquiesce in its illegal actions and defiance of the international community. And like all occupiers, despite being the aggressor, it feigns and plays the victim, but today, it is totally exposed. President, this Council has spent decades discussing the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian Question. Meeting after meeting, we devote hours to this agenda. It is not because of anyone else. It is because of Israel that refuses to vacate its illegal occupation, and that blatantly violates the resolutions of this Council. It's because of that that we have these discussions. Israel also chose to refer to an unrelated incident and make misleading remarks regarding Pakistan in an effort to justify its own illegal actions and violations of international law. Pakistan's position on that incident has been clearly stated and is publicly available. The international community is well aware of Pakistan's frontline role and sacrifices in the international community's fight against terrorism. The entire world, including our partners, acknowledge that Al Qaeda was largely decimated due to Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts. And we remained committed in this global, collective endeavor. We cannot accept insinuations from an irresponsible rogue state. That is, in fact, the perpetrator of worst kind of state terrorism that we are witnessing in Gaza, and in fact, in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for decades. And we reject any false analogy, as has also been done by Qatar. For whatever way it interprets these statements in this Council, the occupying power must go back and read carefully the statement issued by the Security Council today. And let me read it out loud here a statement that normally should have been stronger, but nevertheless, it has been unanimously adopted by the Council: The members of the Security Council expressed their condemnation of the recent strikes in Doha, the territory of a key mediator, on 9 September. They expressed deep regret at the loss of civilian life. Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar. They underlined their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Council members recalled their support for the vital role that Qatar continues to play in mediation efforts in the region, and alongside Egypt and the United States. Council members underscored that releasing the hostages, including those killed by Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza must remain our top priority. In this regard, they reiterated the importance of the ongoing diplomatic efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the US, and called for the parties to seize the opportunity for peace. That is why we are here this afternoon, in this council. I thank you. ****************