Kenya Changes Stance On Israel-Palestine Conflict As Gaza Bombardment Continues
Kenya’s government condemned on Thursday the humanitarian atrocities committed in the Middle East as a result of the region’s political tensions.
Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Ambassador Ekitila Lokaale, addressed the United Nations General Assembly’s 10th Emergency Special Session on the situation in the Middle East.
Lokaale stated that Kenya supports Palestinian self-determination and has called for a cease-fire between Middle Eastern warring states.
The envoy stated that Kenya was equally concerned about the current humanitarian crisis in the region.
🚨BREAKING: The UN General Assembly just voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution calling on Israel to end its "unlawful presence" in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
— Declassified UK (@declassifiedUK) September 18, 2024
The UK government abstained. pic.twitter.com/aPs5pXW4x8
Amb. Lokaale also condemned all acts of terrorism, including Hamas’ horrific October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians.
The ambassador also criticized Israeli forces for collectively punishing Palestinians, including the most vulnerable women, children, and the sick, as well as for destroying critical civilian infrastructure.
“Condemned all acts of terrorism regardless of the perpetrators or motivation, including the horrific October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians,’’ Lokaale shared in a post.
“Decried collective punishment of Palestinians including the most vulnerable women, children and the sick, and obliterated destruction of essential civilian infrastructure by Israeli forces.”
“Warned that the United Nations inaction jeopardizes its credibility as the guarantor of international peace and security,” the envoy added.
This follows recent attacks in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon on Wednesday, which killed at least 20 people and injured more than 450, according to Lebanese authorities.
The attacks, which were thought to be carried out by Israel’s allied forces against Hezbollah, actually targeted innocent civilians, including children and women.
Kenya has previously taken a diplomatic approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Positions were only declared on rare occasions.
On April 14, 2024, President William Ruto condemned Iran’s decision to launch missiles at Israel, calling the attacks a disturbing development that would likely exacerbate the Middle East conflict.
Kenya is deeply concerned by Iran's attack on the State of Israel. This disturbing development only serves to aggravate an already delicate situation in the Middle East. The attack represents a real and present threat to international peace and security, contravenes the Charter…
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 14, 2024
“Kenya is deeply concerned by Iran’s attack on the State of Israel. This disturbing development only serves to aggravate an already delicate situation in the Middle East,” Ruto stated in a statement.
Kenya Changes Stance On Israel-Palestine Conflict As Gaza Bombardment Continues
