The event began with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an. Following this, Mr. Abolghasemi, the Cultural Counselor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila, welcomed the guests and offered greetings to the cultural and religious personalities and pro-Palestinian activists. He also extended his best wishes for the acceptance of worship and devotions during the holy month of Ramadan. In his speech, he said:

"Today, we have gathered to commemorate Quds Day, a day declared by Imam Khomeini (RA) as the International Day of Quds — a day of spiritual and political significance to remember the great cause of the Palestinian people and all the oppressed in the world. Quds Day is a day to raise our voices louder than ever for freedom and justice.

Quds Day is not only a special day for Palestinians but a global day for all freedom-loving people. Imam Khomeini (RA) designated this day in 1979 as a day of support for Palestine and the oppressed of the world. He understood that the issue of Palestine is not merely a regional issue but a global one that affects the destiny of freedom and justice worldwide. On Quds Day, nations must unite to defend the rights of the Palestinian people.

Al-Quds, the capital of Palestine and the first qibla of Muslims, has always been a center of Islamic hope and aspiration. However, in recent years, the Zionist regime, with the support of colonial powers, has occupied Palestinian land and deprived the Palestinian people of their natural right to live in their homeland. The injustice inflicted upon them is a clear violation of human rights.

In today’s world, where human rights are regarded as one of the fundamental principles of humanity, the legal situation of Palestinians remains under threat. For decades, Palestinians have been subjected to occupation and oppression, with their basic rights — including the rights to life, freedom, and security — being continuously violated. We are gathered today to discuss one of the most critical and pressing issues that concerns not only Palestinians but all freedom-loving people across the globe: human rights and the legal status of Palestinians — challenges and solutions.

The Cultural Counselor continued: Today, we are witnessing one of the most painful and catastrophic cases of massive human rights violations in the modern world — the martyrdom of over 50,000 Palestinians.

The killing of this number of innocent people in the past year alone is a clear indication of the severe violation of fundamental human rights that Palestinians are facing. They continue to live under harsh and inhumane conditions, with systematic violations of their rights to life, freedom, security, access to education, healthcare, and other basic human rights.

In fact, this widespread human loss and catastrophic situation is the direct result of the occupation policies imposed by the Zionist regime on Palestinian lands. Unfortunately, the international community has often remained silent and failed to take effective action to stop these violations. In such a situation, Palestinians continue to struggle for their basic rights in battlefields, prisons, and refugee camps.

The challenges and solutions regarding this issue exist not only on political fronts but also at the global level. Supporting international resolutions based on human rights principles and exerting pressure on responsible regimes to end aggression are among the solutions that can help resolve this crisis.

But most importantly, as human beings who believe in human dignity, we must always be the voice of the Palestinian people. We must strive to ensure that such gross violations of human rights are never repeated and take effective action toward achieving justice for all people, especially the people of Palestine.

He expressed hope that the international community, with solidarity and strong resolve, would eventually help the Palestinians attain their basic rights and take steps toward peace and justice.

At the end of his speech, the Cultural Counselor thanked the influential cultural and religious figures for their presence and announced the opening of a photo exhibition — organized by the Cultural Section— portraying the genocide of the oppressed people of Gaza by the occupying Zionist regime and the gross human rights violations occurring in the modern world. He invited the attendees to visit the exhibition.

Then, Mr. Esmaeilzadeh, the Ambassador of Iran, also spoke, beginning by praising God and referencing verse 1 of Surah Al-Isra from the Holy Qur’an:

"Glory be to Him who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing."

He said:"Brothers and sisters, peace be upon you. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the holy month of Ramadan, the month of divine mercy and blessings. I ask God Almighty to bestow His mercy upon us during these blessed days. I also extend my congratulations in advance on the coming Eid al-Fitr and the Persian New Year to all brothers and sisters and thank all the respected attendees and fasting participants for their presence at this event."

He continued:"Let us first honor the memory of Imam Khomeini (RA) for naming the last Friday of Ramadan as International Quds Day.

International Quds Day is a historic day to show support for the oppressed Palestinian nation, who for more than 75 years have been deprived of their human dignity and their historical and cultural rights. Quds Day is a day for the resistance of justice seekers against oppressors, and every free human being must respond to the call of conscience in support of the brave people of Palestine.

Today, one of the most important issues on the international political scene and in the Islamic world is the issue of Palestine. The noble people of Gaza and Palestine have recorded their name as one of the most resilient and patient nations in history. The people of Gaza and Palestine, who have faced various crimes and gross violations of international law — including assassinations, killings, and attacks on residential areas, hospitals, and schools — by the usurping Zionist regime, have witnessed the martyrdom of thousands of their fellow citizens and relatives. The occupying and genocidal regime of Israel, through systematic and extensive violations of international law and human rights, is committing the most severe crimes, undoubtedly with the support of major powers such as the United States.

Palestine belongs to all Palestinians, and Al-Quds will remain the eternal capital of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, like that of every other nation, and the right of return for refugees must never be denied or forgotten, no matter how much time passes.

The full realization of the Palestinian nation’s rights is the responsibility of the entire international community. If we are committed to peace, justice, stability, and security in the region and the world, we must not only recognize the legitimate and natural rights of the Palestinian people but also actively work to fulfill them.

We hope that through the unmatched resistance and courage of the Palestinian people and the people of Gaza, along with recent developments, the support of the Resistance movement, and the assistance of the international community and active roles of global institutions, we will witness a halt to the massacres in Gaza, the reconstruction of this region, and the alleviation of the suffering of its resilient people.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has always, based on moral, humanitarian, and legitimate international principles, supported the resistance and efforts of the Palestinian people to restore their rights against the occupiers. We are confident that the Palestinian nation will achieve its lofty goals through patience, solidarity, and steadfastness. Thank you for your attention."

Following this, the following individuals delivered speeches:

 

Ustadh Najib Taher, Secretary-General of the Council of Ulama of the Philippines:

Our ceremony today is held on the occasion of International Quds Day, a day specifically dedicated to the people of Palestine. Remember that this day is observed as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people and has become a well-known and recognized holiday commemorated by the Islamic world. The Islamic Republic of Iran and its great leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini, established Quds Day in 1979, immediately after the revolution, to show solidarity with the Palestinians and to reject the occupation of Quds by Israel. Since then, this day has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

Some in the West or Western occupiers have claimed that this event was initiated by Iran to advance its own political interests and to use proxies to fight against Israel and Western powers. However, remember that this day is one of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and the great leader Ayatollah Khomeini established this day in 1979, right after the revolution, to express solidarity with Palestinians. Since then, the day has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance, and it was indeed founded by the late Ayatollah Khomeini for this purpose.

Keep in mind that since October 2023, tens of thousands of Palestinians in occupied Gaza have been killed or severely injured, and at least 830 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank. Ninety percent of Gaza’s population has been permanently displaced. Since the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, especially Jerusalem, began in June 1967, this situation has continued.

Israel’s brutal policies of land appropriation, illegal settlements, and confiscation, along with systematic and widespread discrimination, have inflicted immense suffering on the Palestinians and deprived them of their basic rights. This military occupation is a core element of an oppressive apartheid system that subjugates all Palestinians whose rights are controlled by Israel. This includes those living in the occupied territories, in Israel, and in the diaspora—who are denied the right to return home.

Since 1967, despite numerous UN resolutions rejecting the illegal annexation of Palestinian land and the construction of illegal settlements, Israel has maintained its military and security presence in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Palestinians living under Israeli occupation face daily violations of human rights enforced by a structured system of dominance and repression. Daily life in Palestine involves navigating a complex network of military checkpoints, fences, walls, and army bases. Israel’s tight control over all aspects of life in Palestine—from population registry to the provision of water and electricity—allows it to enforce a rigid, controlled system.

This control has reached an unprecedented level of violence in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has imposed an illegal 16-year blockade that has intensified drastically since October 2023. Since the beginning of the occupation, Israel has expelled thousands of Palestinians from their lands in the occupied West Bank and illegally seized their properties to establish settlements exclusively for Jewish Israeli settlers. These settlements are themselves a violation of international law and constitute a war crime.

Israel’s policy of constructing and expanding illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land is one of the main drivers of widespread human rights violations resulting from the occupation. Israeli forces have also arbitrarily detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza, including hundreds of healthcare workers. In some cases, Palestinians have been forcibly disappeared or held in secret detention. Palestinians in Israeli custody are frequently subjected to torture and other inhumane treatment.

Palestinians—especially those living in the Gaza Strip—continue to face unprecedented killings and suffering at the hands of Israeli forces. The ongoing impact of these attacks on Palestinians is indescribable, with entire families wiped out and cities and neighborhoods destroyed. Tens of thousands of Palestinian children have lost one or both parents, and people have been unable to rebuild their homes and lives.

This is the situation today in the occupied Palestinian territories: an unprecedented level of brutality, crimes, suffering, pain, genocide, and killings inflicted by Israeli forces. But this is not the end of the story. In addition to U.S.-designed plans of ethnic cleansing, the suppression of the Palestinian people will never succeed because God, the Almighty Creator, is always watching over us and is with us every step of our lives, never abandoning His faithful servants.

Especially during this month of Ramadan, when the prayers and supplications of Muslims and believers are heard and accepted by the Almighty God—remember that the last ten days of Ramadan are meant to show support and understanding of the Palestinian people's suffering. Unfortunately, despite the advanced Muslim countries with their immense economies, development, and military power—particularly the neighboring Arab countries—it is very regrettable that none of them or their leaders had the courage to propose a special day to support the Palestinian people’s long struggle for autonomy.

Even Arab countries remain oblivious to what is happening next door. Sadly, it took the emergence of a courageous human being and a leader like Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who, upon coming to power and founding the Islamic Republic of Iran, immediately proposed a special day for the Palestinian people. This day, known as International Quds Day, was proposed and endorsed by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. Remember that Ayatollah Khomeini was the only leader of the contemporary era who had the courage to propose such an important day, which later became a traditional religious holiday for Muslims. This traditional holiday is observed worldwide, as we are doing today in this ceremony.

This day is commemorated annually on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan—a sacred month during which Muslims devote themselves to worship and prayers to Almighty God. Finally, though not least important, I want once again to thank the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian people. Praise be to God for creating this person—someone who had the courage, bravery, and complete support for the Palestinian people’s struggle for their right to self-determination. On behalf of my friends and companions from the village of Maharlica, and those who pray with me during these nights of Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan, I thank you.

We ask Almighty God to bestow endless and boundless rewards upon those who strive to support the people of Palestine—just as the hadith says: the fasting person experiences two joys—one at the time of breaking the fast, and one when they return to God. I thank our dear brothers in Iran, and I also thank the Islamic Republic of Iran and Almighty God for granting me the opportunity to deliver such an explanation. Peace be upon you.

 

Dr. Pablito Baybado, professor at the University of Santo Tomas and one of the founders of the Uni-Harmony CouncilI sincerely extend my heartfelt congratulations in advance on the arrival of Eid al-Fitr.

When I received the invitation to be here and speak about the situation in Palestine and how I perceive the Palestinian issue, the first thing that came to my mind was: What is even left to say? What words should we utter? In what language should we speak? What descriptions should we offer? What subject can we bring up today when talking about the Palestinians?

Every day, thanks to social media, we are seeing what is happening in Palestine. And honestly, the more we speak about it, the more we use words to describe what is happening there, in my view, it only deepens the concerns, the pain, and the suffering that Palestinians have been grappling with for generations.

So, what is left to talk about? What is there that needs reflection? And what worries me if I am to share something with you this afternoon? As a professor of theology and someone who has been deeply engaged in interfaith dialogues, both nationally and regionally, I believe that the key to dialogue is human reason. The key to every negotiation is reason.

The human mind’s ability to recognize, understand reality, see things as they are, and the capacity to discern and think about why something is happening, what its causes are, what its effects are, and so on — humans are defined as rational beings, you and I. What sets us apart from animals and other creatures is our intellect. Reason is the highest form of expressing our humanity.

It is precisely this highest form because it is through reason that I can guide my life, know which path to choose, recognize where and when there is danger. In short, the human mind is so beautiful that it enables us to understand what is true, what is beautiful, what is good, and what is evil.

However, if we consider human reason, both as an individual faculty and a product of human civilization, and place it in the context in which we describe modernity, prosperity, technology, and the grandeur of today’s civilizations — and then place Palestine alongside these achievements — then we begin to ask: Where is human reason? What is the power of reason, and what duty does reason have to tell us the truth and allow us to make a correct judgment about what is happening today?

The foundation of international instruments like UN agreements, laws, and everything is based on one thing: that thing is reason.Law is based on reason, the command of reason.

So, we begin to ask what is happening on the global level when humans were supposed to become better rationalists. And I think the events and realities of Palestine — which no words can describe, and attempting to do so only trivializes them — mean that turning their experience into something lighthearted or insignificant is a betrayal. In fact, when you compare that experience, no words can even offer comfort.

Therefore, I think it’s extremely important that humans — when you compare this experience — no words can comfort them. So I believe that today, amid this civilizational progress, amid this flourishing, amid globalization, amid the communication created by social media and technology, at the heart of these is actually a crisis of humanity and a crisis of human reason.

Why is it that intellectuals, university professors, people of reason, do not move and do not speak about it, do not use the power of intellect, thought, discourse, and argument to show the world and awaken it to the fact that something is wrong and must be stopped soon — if not immediately?

But if you look at academic discourses, rational discussions, and debates, it is deeply disappointing that while we are talking, the statistics are not only increasing, but we can no longer count them. In fact, if you ask me, I’ve stopped counting. I’ve even stopped watching and listening.

Because you don’t say that it’s just the same. I just think what’s increasingly happening is that we are becoming desensitized to what is happening in Palestine.

We were taught in elementary, high school, and university that reason is essential for us to understand the beauty of life, its meaning and purpose, and to guide ourselves through it. But this is not just a personal matter — it is also social. So when reason can no longer be a force to resist an unjust and painful situation, it means that reason, as a reference for what it means to be human, has betrayed us.

And if reason has manifested in law, and law is represented through the international instruments created by the United Nations, then we say that if reason has left us today, then we can also say the United Nations has failed us today.

But saying that also means: how much and to what extent have each of us here, especially those of us who are university professors like myself, advanced in this discourse to awaken every human we are in contact with?

The first step is that at the very least, people become aware of the problem. And perhaps the most important point is the connection between reason and heart — that we are affected by the situation.

And I think this is the second crisis we are witnessing today. We see these images on television, we can hear them on the radio, and we watch these videos in various forms thousands of times — children being killed, women, and everything else you can imagine. But the question is: are we affected? Or has reason made us so strong that we are no longer affected by what is happening to our fellow human beings?

Why should I be concerned about Palestine? It’s thousands and thousands of kilometers away from me. But isn’t this exactly what the heart and human reason are supposed to do for us?

When you witness a tragic reality, a compassionate heart will always say: I am moved. And even analyzing whether or not I should act in the long term is a betrayal of reason — because the situation before us needs no debate.

The reality we are facing needs no analysis or reflection. It needs no rationalization because even a child can easily and instantly say: something is wrong.

That a child is killed is wrong. And the only thing we can say is that it’s insane.

But when we begin translating that into a more complex understanding of reality, how do we end up using reason to justify the oppressions being committed?

At the same time, how can those who are still healthy and affected by this situation use the power of intellect in their human hearts — whether through social media or teaching — to ensure that we are still moved by what is happening in Palestine?

On social media, there’s so much noise about many issues — even the political situation we are currently in. But why are they so concerned about people who do not need help? And yet, we are in a situation that desperately needs help.

So in my view, our message is this: to reclaim the lost humanity that we possess.

A humanity that moves in response to what happens outside and a humanity that uses its God-given faculty so that others may live a full and dignified life. So that others may live justly and in peace.

 

Dr. Henelito Sevilla, former head of the Asian Center at the University of the Philippines:

Quds Day, which we commemorate every year, represents not just a symbolic gesture, but also our shared ideas and aspirations for the promotion of human rights for all people around the world, regardless of race or ethnicity, religion or culture, politics, or economic backgrounds. This day also serves as a platform for those who care about peace, including those who may otherwise have no interest in peace. The goal is to continue dialogue and promote shared values—and most importantly, to preserve, protect, and ensure that all individuals and groups, regardless of race, religion, or living conditions, are treated equally and are protected under domestic humanitarian regimes and relevant legal mechanisms.

In recent weeks, months, and even years, we have witnessed numerous violations and crimes perpetrated by political leaders or state institutions against vulnerable groups in various countries and corners of the world. In addition to these, there are the crimes committed by organized militant groups or non-state actors, especially in the Middle East and other regions, targeting civilians. These crimes against humanity raise legal, academic, and political questions about how a country’s legal system can effectively advance the interests and protection of its own people, as well as those who lie outside its defined borders.

If we are to raise moral and human concerns regarding the essence of various international human rights regimes—such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other conventions and agreements aimed at protecting civilians, especially vulnerable women—we must also question the effectiveness of international institutions like the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in promoting equal treatment of perpetrators as well as the civilians who have been abused. The question arises: Was the 1968 Universal Declaration of Human Rights truly designed to serve all of humanity, or was it crafted to serve the hegemonic interests of Western countries? This issue invites all individuals and groups like ours to participate in policy and legal dialogues, and also to provide practical and material support to help victims or marginalized individuals such as the Palestinians in Gaza. Ultimately, it naturally creates a path by which members of global communities like ours can best help reduce the suffering of Palestinian children, women, elderly, and men.

Ladies and gentlemen, in the time I’ve studied this issue, I can say that the suffering of Palestinians at the hands of the Zionist regime, or Israel as others call it, and those who support it, has been well-documented by various scholars, legal experts, and also by the leaders of countries who have witnessed these human rights violations in contemporary history. Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, multiple wars and tensions have occurred between Palestinians, Israelis, and Arab Israelis, which have led to further violations against the rights of the Palestinian people.

The United Nations resolutions, which were among the foundational bases for the establishment of Israel, have also been violated multiple times since 1948 until today. I would like to highlight some key reasons why these violations have occurred.

First, the wars between Arab-Israeli sides (Palestinian-Israeli) led to the expulsion of Palestinians from their lands, resulting in millions of Palestinian refugees in surrounding countries like Jordan, Syria, and Egypt—not to mention Palestinian refugees scattered across the world, including in Asia, Oceania, the Americas, Africa, and Europe. These Palestinians need support, and the major question for the international community is how to address this serious human rights issue. The return of Palestinian refugees to their homelands has always been a challenge and is a significant political value proposed by international human rights groups, the UN General Assembly, and others. However, this issue has never been seriously addressed by world powers, the UN, or even those who seemingly claim to care about Palestine.

Second, the early wars and tensions between the Zionist state and Arab countries led to peace treaties between Israel and Egypt and between Israel and Jordan. However, these treaties did not prevent Israel from continuing to occupy lands. Rather, Israel has continued to encourage settlers to leave the occupied Palestinian territories, thereby maintaining ongoing human rights violations against the Palestinian people.

The third reason is Israel’s control over the division of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which has been recognized by several legal experts as based on flawed legal theories.

 

Atty. Nasser Abinal, Head of the Imamate Center, Manila:

August 7, 1979, was a very important day for the Islamic world, the Arab world, and the Palestinian people, when Ayatollah Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini designated the last Friday of Ramadan as Quds Day, or International Quds Day. A day to express the support of Muslims and peace-loving countries for the Palestinian cause.

This was a very wise decision, as Imam Khomeini (may God’s mercy be upon him) appeared to have a clear understanding of the objectives of the Zionist regime and its supporters—objectives that are now becoming increasingly apparent to all. This is what is referred to as the "Greater Israel" project. The Islamic world must mobilize to confront it and defend Muslim lands from being devoured by this malignant cancer, which was planted by Britain and its allies in the heart of the Middle East—or what is now called West Asia.

Today, we are witnessing events unfolding in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iran, and we are reminded of Quranic verses that distinguish between those who have sold their souls to attain the pleasure of God Almighty and the hypocrites who have sold their humanity entirely to colonial powers out of fear of losing worldly power and material gain.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the other Imams (peace be upon them), and their followers from around the world are examples of the former. They have demonstrated their commitment to Islamic principles and moral and human values. They love only what pleases God, and they know that power and strength belong to God alone. All their actions aim to revive Islam, allow people to benefit from the blessings of religion, and guide them to become God-conscious servants of God Almighty.

The other group includes Muslims who, through their silence and actions, have revealed their hypocrisy. Islam has no benefit from them. They are the reason for the corruption and decline of the faith. People no longer expect them to act against the massacres and genocides being perpetrated against the defenseless people of Palestine, Lebanon, or Yemen. They are known as Muslims, but their complicity with the enemies of Islam is no longer hidden. They sell hypocrisy to the people, and we must be aware of this.

The presence of Muslim leaders from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and other countries is a great mercy for Muslims because these leaders are perfect models in managing Islamic affairs. They fear no one and do not trade their religion and humanity. They feel the pain and suffering of fellow Muslims.

While the presence of the other group is a curse upon Muslims, because they worship this world, power, and wealth, and are far from the pleasure of God Almighty. They bow and obey every order imposed on them by their patrons, even if they know it will lead them to the fire of hell.

For the world at large, the brutal massacres and genocide committed by the Zionist regime and its supporters present a reality that people—Muslim or non-Muslim—are now beginning to see and understand as part of the religious dimensions of the geopolitical chaos in the Middle East. Those who sold their lives to God to attain His pleasure, and whose souls and wealth He has purchased so they may reach the eternal gardens, will continue to resist the dominance of the oppressors and tyrants. They are delighted in the deal they made with God.

 

Ms. Zaynab Javier, Member of the Filipino-Iranian Women’s Friendship Association

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, told Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, to establish a ceasefire with Hamas in order to portray himself to the world as a man of peace who ends wars. However, since it took effect on January 19, the Israeli military has committed over 900 ceasefire violations, killing and injuring hundreds of Palestinians across various provinces in the besieged Palestinian territories.

These violations include air and artillery bombings, intense drone flights, blocking humanitarian aid, shooting civilians, destroying homes, targeting vehicles, preventing the entry of fuel into Gaza, barring civil defense vehicles and heavy machinery, and stopping the entry of 260,000 tents and convoys.

As if this wasn’t enough for the child-killing West, on March 18, the systematic killing of Palestinians resumed once again, this time with greater savagery and brutality.

Israel’s Ramadan massacre in Gaza, carried out with Washington’s approval, marked a new chapter in global politics. At 2:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Israel launched widespread attacks on 100 targets, deliberately choosing suhoor time — the pre-dawn meal in Ramadan — to inflict the highest number of casualties on civilians. More than 400 Palestinians, including 170 children, were killed.

Furthermore, this move by U.S. President Donald Trump not only gave Netanyahu a green light for the attacks but also destroyed the credibility of any ceasefire or treaty brokered by the West. Netanyahu’s brutal resumption of the war against Gaza only reinforces the fact that U.S.-backed ceasefires are meaningless. With airstrikes on Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, Trump abandoned his promise to end wars and instead positioned the U.S. as a rogue actor on the global stage.

When 22-year-old Palestinian journalist Abu Bakr Abed was asked for his thoughts on what’s happening, he said:

“This is an unending misery.What we are experiencing is something we can’t even imagine — the loss is massive for each and every individual here, especially the children. We are lost here. We are witnessing the systematic killing of everyone, because Israel is targeting each one of them here in Gaza. We are seeing the assassination of journalists, medical staff, and ordinary people. Israel is showing no mercy in its attacks.It is an indescribable feeling — people are being killed every day, every moment. There is no food available. Many people are taken to hospitals for treatment, but doctors cannot provide proper care because there is no medicine. Israel has blocked the two crossings, not allowing even a single truck to enter Gaza. And this has truly brought people to the brink of imminent death. So we are talking about death, which we are facing from every direction — from starvation, from relentless bombing, and from the conditions we live in. It’s a very, very horrible situation.”

Abed says that in the week following Israel’s abrupt withdrawal from the ceasefire agreement, Gaza’s suffering “has become worse than ever.” He therefore calls for international intervention and accountability, stating:

“As long as the world allows Israel to do this, it will not stop.”

Ladies and gentlemen, for over a century, Palestinians have been deprived not only of their right to self-determination or self-defense, but even of their most basic right to exist.

As we speak, Israel continues its genocidal actions with the full backing of the West, led by the United States.

International bodies have long called for Israel’s condemnation — to no avail.

As early as 2013, the Israeli government had already been condemned in 45 resolutions by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

And just last November 2024, Mohan Peiris, Chair of the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, had already warned the General Assembly:

“A genocide is unfolding before our eyes — and history will not forgive us.”

Is there no legal remedy for this ongoing genocide that is being broadcast to the whole world?

South Africa has already filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice — also known as the World Court — which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, tasked with resolving legal disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal issues.

The court found Israel responsible for racial discrimination and apartheid against Palestinians and presented a long list of abuses and violations of international law committed by Israeli authorities. It found that Israel’s occupation is illegal and set clear standards for Israel to provide compensation to the Palestinians.(October 25, 2024)

But did this stop the United States from providing all political, financial, and military support to Israel?

In fact, President Trump signed a statement to invoke emergency authorities to fast-track the delivery of about $4 billion in military aid to Israel immediately after taking office.

Ladies and gentlemen,Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, titled “Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression,” outlines the Security Council’s framework for taking enforcement actions, including non-military and military measures, to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Likewise, the 2005 World Summit, through its Outcome Document (A/RES/60/1), articulated the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P), stating that member states have a responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity — and that the international community has a duty to intervene when a state fails to do so.

And in history, we have instances of humanitarian interventions — involving the use or threat of military force across borders — to end severe and widespread human rights violations within a state, often in cases of genocide, war crimes, or ethnic cleansing, such as NATO’s intervention in Kosovo and also the airstrikes and military interventions by France and the United States.

So how is it that, despite Israel being guilty of all five acts that define genocide under the UN Genocide Convention — when committed with the intent to destroy a group — which are: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm; deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to destroy; imposing measures to prevent births; and forcibly transferring children — Netanyahu is still supported by so-called civilized nations and continues to fly freely over the skies of so-called democratic countries?

Israel, while backed by the United States and other Western nations, continues its blatant violation of international laws in broad daylight under the guise of justice.

With this reality in the background, can 22-year-old Abed hold out hope that his call for international intervention and accountability will be answered?

Dear brothers and sisters in faith and humanity,Apart from the various Palestinian resistance fighters, the resistance fighters in Lebanon, and Iraqi resistance groups, out of the 193 member states of the United Nations, only two sovereign states have stepped forward to help Palestine and assume responsibility for humanitarian intervention in the world through such action:

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Yemen.

However, with the spread of misinformation through the global Zionist network, these freedom-loving people and the two honorable nations that support the rights of...However, with the spread of misinformation through the global Zionist network, these freedom-loving people and the two honorable nations that support the rights of the oppressed Palestinian nation — namely, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Yemen — have been falsely portrayed as threats to global peace and security, and have even been labeled as "terrorist sponsors" by the very same governments that arm and fund Israel’s genocide.

So we ask: Who truly sponsors terror?Is it the nations that send medicine and food to the starving and wounded in Gaza, or those that send bombs and bullets?

Who truly respects international law?Is it the countries that risk their own security to defend civilians under siege, or those that veto UN resolutions meant to protect them?

And who are the true advocates of human rights?Is it the nations that call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the occupation, or those that watch in silence — or worse, cheer — as hospitals, schools, and homes are reduced to rubble?

Dear friends,Today we are gathered not only to express solidarity but to reaffirm our shared responsibility — as believers, as citizens, and as human beings — to stand up for justice, to speak the truth, and to support those who are resisting tyranny with whatever means they have left.

May the blood of the innocent awaken the conscience of the world.May the cries of Gaza reach every heart that still beats for justice.And may we never forget that to be neutral in situations of injustice is to side with the oppressor.

Free Palestine.Free Gaza.