The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today at the conclusion of the 54th session of the Human Rights Council.
“President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, President Biden of the United States and my very own Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed earlier this week their steadfast and united support to the State of Israel and their unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism”, stated the Permanent Representative, stressing that “they made clear terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned”.
Recalling that last weekend the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred families in their homes, slaughtered over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapped elderly women, children, and entire families, who continue to be held as hostages, the Permanent Representative underlined that the “The leaders set out their support for Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities and emphasized that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage”.
Furthermore he stressed that the leaders “also recognized the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike”, while pointing out that “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people nor their legitimate aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed“.
In conclusion, Amb. Grassi affirmed that the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and United States noted their “commitment to remain united and coordinated, together as allies, and as common friends of Israel, to ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and ultimately to set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East”.
