Zahra Ershadi, Iran’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (photo by IRNA)

United Nations, February 21 (RHC)-- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) censures Israel’s unrelenting hostilities against the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip that have resulted in thousands of human casualties, Iran’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations says.

Zahra Ershadi made the remarks on Tuesday as she read out a statement on behalf of the NAM members at a meeting of the special committee of the United Nations Charter.  “The Non-Aligned Movement categorically denounces the continuation of brutal military offensives by the Israeli regime against defenseless Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, and calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as well as support for the Palestinian people.”

Ershadi said NAM is deeply concerned about the warnings by UN special rapporteurs about the “genocide” in the Gaza Strip, and urges the international community to honor its commitment and use every means available to end the carnage.

“The movement welcomes a request by South Africa on December 29, 2023, to lodge a lawsuit against the Israeli regime at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding violation of commitments under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” the Iranian envoy stated.

Ershadi said NAM calls on Israeli authorities “to implement an emergency ruling issued by the ICJ” in the case filed by South Africa in December.

Providing Israel with an unbridled supply of arms and ammunition since the start of the war, the United States has also vetoed UN Security Council resolutions that called on the regime to cease its aggression.