The Gambia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations has decried “too many ceasefires” between Israel and Palestinians over the past two decades to no end.

H.E Lang Yabou equally called on the international community to reach a permanent truce and end the ongoing occupation by addressing the root causes of the conflict in the interest of international peace.

Speaking at the United Nations agenda on the situation in the Middle East, Ambassador Yabou pointed out that lasting peace and security in Palestine and Middle East would only breed regional and greater world peace.

He thus challenged the international community to spur genuine dialogue with a view to ending deadlock and intensify efforts to bring Israel and Palestine to the negotiating table.

“The Gambia is deeply concerned by the scale of the violence in the recent Israeli – Palestinian conflict, including the desecration of the Al-Aqsa holy site, the sanctity of which must be respected by all. My delegation therefore is calling for an end to the violence on Palestinians and the lifting of blockade on the Gaza Strip.

“We are encouraged by the declaration of cease-fire and it is our expectation that, both sides to the conflict would continue to adhere to the cease fire because escalation and worsening violence do not help anybody. The Gambia is therefore, appealing to both sides to avoid any further escalation and adhere to the principles of international law.

“We have had too many ceasefires over the last two decades. The international community must now move to a permanent truce and an end to the occupation by addressing the root causes of the conflict for enduring peace.”

Source: MoFA Gambia