Reflections from our WLCJ UN NGO

By Florence Wolpoff, WLCJ United Nations NGO

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my experiences as one of your representatives to the U.N. I will outline some of those events with you today.

Last May 2024, a motion was brought before the Security Council seeking to admit Palestine as a United Nations member nation. The United States invoked its veto power, and the motion failed.

This past September the president of the General Assembly, who is from Cameroon, gave Palestine a seat at the table as an observer nation. No motion was made.

Going back to July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared as unlawful Israel’s occupation in the West Bank. Israel was told to get out of the West Bank within 12 months. The court found the settlements illegal, and that Israel perpetrated all kinds of crimes against the Palestinians. It is important to note that Israel is not a member nation to the International Court of Justice.

By September 18, 2024, the Palestinians, as an observer state, brought a resolution concerning the legality of the Palestinian occupations. A vote was brought to the floor of the General Assembly. One hundred twenty-four nations voted in favor, 14 voted no, with 43 abstentions. Among the tally, France voted in favor, Hungary, the U.S., and Argentina voted in the negative with the United Kingdom and Canada abstaining. The vote was followed by very loud applause. Please note this was a non-binding vote.

On September 24, 2024, I was privileged to attend the opening session of the General Assembly where, during the week, world leaders come once a year to express their concerns. I was able to secure a ticket for the first day. I monitored the rest of the week from home on UNwebTV. Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez made the opening remarks. He began by saying, “The world is in trouble, and it cannot go on like this.” He spoke about intolerable inequality in the world. Countries are violating international laws. It is a nightmare. War is spreading, Lebanon cannot be another Gaza. There are horrible conditions for the Palestinians (there was very loud applause). A special tribute was given to UNWRA (again to loud applause). He condemned the October 7th massacre and the taking of hostages. He called for a two-state solution. He asked how the world can accept only one state with Palestinians not holding rights and the people in Gaza starving.

President Biden spoke on how this was the last time he would have the privilege of addressing the General Assembly. He spoke about the challenges in Ukraine and Gaza and spoke about the need to bring the hostages home. Iran should get a message that they cannot get a nuclear weapon.

The president of Turkey compared Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler. King Hussein of Jordan followed. He condemned the attack of October 7th but then went on to describe how the Israeli government killed Palestinian children, women, and journalists, and how the holy sites in Jerusalem were not protected. The Emir of Qatar said that Israel had arrived to defend itself, but he went on to say, “The Gaza Strip is a crime of genocide. He said Qatar has started mediation efforts to release the hostages.

Iran’s new president began with “‘National Empathy’ is my platform.” He wants Iran to play a role in the global order. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, received rave applause when he approached the podium. He began his address by declaring, “Palestine is our homeland, our father’s and grandfather’s. Israel would have to leave the occupied territory.” He claimed the Israeli Prime Minister “lies.” He said Israelis are killers. “The world is responsible for what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza strip.” “Stop sending weapons.” He called on the release of prisoners on both sides to stop the war. He wants a two-state solution. Abbas believes that Israel feels it could get away with this genocide. He said it goes back to 1948.

Abbas said, “Israel does not deserve to be a member nation of the U.N., that Israel has not fulfilled the membership qualifications. We believe in the IJC (the International Criminal Court) decision that Israel must withdraw from the West Bank within 12 months. He hinted by saying he is glad that there is a shift in the U.N. and Palestine should be a member state. He thanked the people who were demonstrating against Israel and for Palestinian rights, especially the U.S. demonstrations.

When Netanyahu, came to the podium there was a contingent of Pro-Israel supporters in the gallery that burst into loud applause. He said, “My country is at war and fighting for its life. Israel seeks peace but we must defend ourselves.” He noted that they were close to an agreement with Saudi Arabia, but then came October 7th. We must bring our hostages home, and we will not stop until this is accomplished. Netanyahu went on to say, “If you strike us, we will strike you.” And “we must ensure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon. Israel will do everything in its power for it not to happen. Israel wants to build a partnership with its Arab neighbors.” “Israel must defeat Hezbollah.” Netanyahu noted that Abbas still does not condemn October 7th or the taking of hostages and he is still giving money to the families of the martyrs (those killed in any attempt to kill Israelis). He again pointed out that the U.N. is singling out the only Jewish state. This is immoral.

On October 7th at the U.N., the U.N. Israeli Mission sponsored a session, “Remembering the victims of Oct 7.” At this session there were several speakers. The Israeli ambassador to the U.N., Dani Danon noted that 10/7 was Israel’s worst nightmare, and said, “We will fight until the hostages are returned. Israel will not fall apart; we will get up and fight back.” He noted that the U.N. still has not condemned Hamas, Israel has no design to rule Gaza; bring the hostages home and the fight will end.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., called 10/7 a tragedy. She spoke on how the U.N. has not condemned Hamas and observed that Iran has taken advantage of the current situation, and said, we must work for a ceasefire. Palestinians deserve to live in peace and freedom.

The Palestinian bid to expel Israel from the General Assembly is moving forward according to the Jewish Insider, a web-based newsletter. Palestine will introduce the motion sometime in the month of December 2024.

Again, I want to thank you for allowing me to be one of your representatives and I hope I have given you a flavor of the kind of interactions that take place at the United Nations.

Shabbat Shalom,

Florence Wolpoff
WLCJ United Nations NGO
florence.wolpoff@verizon.net