Cambodia Urges United Nations Members to End Finger-Pointing in Hamas-Israel War
Permanent representative of the Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the United Nations Eat Sophea delivers a speech at the UNGA on Friday. Photo from Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United Nations.
- By Sao Phal Niseiy
- October 28, 2023 4:05 PM
PHNOM PENH — The Cambodian representative at the United Nations on Oct. 27 called on U.N. country members to stop finger pointing and start working together to address the humanitarian crisis and restore peace between Israel and Palestine.
“Please, stop finger pointing, please give peace a chance: Please allow love for humanity to prevail for all the people on earth, regardless of their race and faith,” said Eat Sophea, permanent representative of the Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the United Nations, according to his official statement posted on Cambodia’s mission Facebook page.
The world, Sophea continues, should empower the forces of moderation to enable the people of Israel and Palestine to live side-by-side in lasting peace, security, and harmony.
Sophea’s appeal was made during the U.N. General Assembly debate during which 120 out 193 countries voted to adopt a major resolution on the Gaza crisis, calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.” However, 14 countries including Israel and the United States voted against the resolutions while 45 others abstained.
Cambodia was among the four countries that chose not to participate in the General Assembly vote on Oct. 27.
In the same speech, the Cambodian representative called for all parties to exercise restraint and abide by the international laws. Eat Sophea emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and keeping them safe from harm in this conflict, allowing for the flow of humanitarian aid to reach those who have been in much desperate need to receive them.
Sophea went on to urge the international community to unite in solidarity and sincerity to foster dialogue and negotiations that will enable long-lasting peace and justice.
The Israel-Palestine crisis, which erupted on Oct. 7, is entering its fourth week. The crisis has already claimed more than 5,000 lives, most of whom were women and children. In addition, more than 15,273 people have been injured, according to a U.N. report. More than 200 foreign nationals have been killed.
A Cambodian student was killed on the first day of the conflict on Oct. 7. At the present time, there are 450 Cambodians, most of them students, living in Israel, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
