The President of the UN General Assembly, former German Foreign Minister Analene Berbock, called for respect for the basic principles of the UN Charter, DPA reported. The call was made shortly before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to deliver his speech to the annual session of the world organization's General Assembly, BTA reported.
“Annexation is prohibited, just as international humanitarian law prohibits the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon of war,“ Berbock recalled.
She said a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict was urgently needed to free the hostages and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
Asked if she expected Netanyahu to announce annexation of the West Bank during his speech, Berbock said she could not predict what the Israeli prime minister would say. She added that last year Netanyahu gave a speech at the UN, which was followed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Annalena Berbock stressed that the UN Charter and the position of the majority of member states in the world organization are clear - every country in the world has the right to self-determination. The President of the UN General Assembly recalled that in the past the world organization has adopted resolutions calling for the Palestinians to be given the opportunity to live peacefully in their own state alongside Israel.
After more countries recognized the State of Palestine - a move Netanyahu has vehemently opposed, Berbock said he expected "a very intense speech" from him.
Berbock also welcomed US President Donald Trump's latest proposal for peace in the Middle East, saying that any initiative towards resolving the conflict was essential and one of the most urgent tasks facing the UN.