West Asia peace impossible with Zionist occupation: Araghchi
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According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Gaza's slaughter is simply the latest in a long line of genocidal attacks against Palestinians.
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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses the 10th session of the UN Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal, on November 26, 2024. (Iranian MFA)
According to Iran's foreign minister, achieving peace in West Asia and throughout the world demands recognizing Palestinians' right to self-determination and putting an end to Israeli occupation and apartheid.
Abbas Araghchi spoke during the 10th session of the UN Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal, about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, blaming international institutions for their passivity throughout the Zionist regime's 14 months of continuous atrocities.
"The crimes of the Zionist regime have put the international community to a serious test," he noted.
Araghchi stated that international institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court "have failed to fulfill their fundamental responsibilities in the face of serious violations of international law and human rights."
He argued that the entire community must take quick and coordinated action to halt the "colonial and racist" Zionist plan, which intends to obliterate the Palestinian nation for decades.
Gaza's slaughter is simply the latest in a long line of genocidal attacks against Palestinians, he emphasized.
UN credibility will not be preserved
The foreign minister also warned that the United Nations' continued passivity on "Israel's" genocide program will seriously erode its legitimacy.
"Without practical and decisive action to hold the Zionist regime accountable and curb its rebellious actions, the credibility and respect of the United Nations and its high values will not be preserved."
Araghchi further highlighted that supporters of the Zionist occupation share responsibility for its crimes and that the United States and other nations that offer military and political assistance to "Israel" must be held accountable.
Araghchi also called for the complete implementation of the ICJ's interim decisions to avoid genocide against the Palestinian people, as well as the swift execution of the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu, blasting Israeli officials' long-standing exploitation of the idea of anti-Semitism to stifle any criticism or protest against "Israel's" belligerent and aggressive practices.
Smotrich calls for occupation of Gaza, cutting its population by half
Adding more fuel to allegations of war crimes by Israeli officials, Israeli Finance Minister and extremist Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that "Israel" should occupy Gaza and reduce its population by half within two years.
Speaking at a conference organized by the Yesha Council, which supports illegal Israeli settlements, Smotrich suggested using financial incentives to encourage Palestinians to leave, a plan critics describe as a form of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.
His comments have sparked outrage for promoting policies that could lead to the suffering and expulsion of Palestinian people.
"It won’t cost too much money," Smotrich said, adding that "even if it does, we should not be afraid to pay for it."
The Israeli military continued its massacres in Gaza, killing 14 and injuring 108 others on Tuesday, with many victims still trapped under rubble or out of reach due to Israeli bombardment.
The northern Gaza Strip is facing an escalating humanitarian crisis, with conditions described as "catastrophic". In the Jabalia refugee camp, invading Israeli forces have destroyed entire residential blocks amid relentless artillery barrages targeting Beit Lahia and surrounding areas.
