Guyana will continue to push for an end to the war in Gaza, says Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. Ambassador, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and President of the United Nations Security Council for the Month of June said it is frustrating that the war between Israel and Hamas has gone on so long.
According to her, Guyana has been vocal on the issue of Palestine long before it secured a seat on the UN Security Council.
“We have been vocal on the issue of Palestine long before we came on the Security Council. Guyana, as you know, is one of the founding members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.”
Guyana, she said, though frustrated, will continue to advocate for a ceasefire and for a two-state solution.
“We are frustrated, but we are not the only one frustrated on the Security Council that this war has gone on so long and we will continue to exert all the energies we have to contribute, knowing very well we are an elected member of the Council, we will continue to exert our efforts to work towards a solution in the immediate term, a cease fire, and our continue advocacy for the two state solution”.
However, a draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza failed to pass at the UN Security Council on Wednesday after the United States used its veto powers.
The United States is one of five permanent members on the UN Security Council with powers to veto which in effect blocks any resolution from going forward.
The draft resolution was calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza which would be respected by all parties.
Founded in 1987, Hamas has been designated a terrorist organisation by several countries among them the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
This recent war in Gaza Strip started with a surprise attack on Israel by Hamas which saw 1,195 persons being killed and 251 being taken as hostages. Since then, thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives, while the UN has reported that some 1.9 million people have been displaced as the humanitarian crisis deepens.