Security Council Resolution 2720 on Gaza and its tragedy

 1.        The UN System, under the leadership of the SG, is fast moving to be ready to implement SC res. 2720. This should be acknowledged.

2.        The Israeli government is ignoring the resolution and expanding the military aggression. The SC should draft a new resolution to impose sanctions on key Israeli leaders, in view of their disregard of res. 2720.

3.        This is not just about averting “a greater catastrophe and uphold dignity”. It is also about full respect for international law and the SC’s decisions. The Israeli behaviour violates international law and must be dealt with as such as well.

4.        The peace in the region is about to unravel. This should be mentioned as a major concern.

5.        Hamas leaders must also be prosecuted.

6.       The call for a total and immediate ceasefire must be loud, clear, and express a strong sense of urgency.

7.       Special responsibility lies with the UNSC. We must bring the UNSC back to the centre of key peace processes. Its members, particularly the P5, must show they can force the parties to implement a resolution like the 2720. Enforcement must become a very central priority for the SC.

8.        The humanitarian response should go together with the launching of a political process.

9.        The sovereign rights of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples are unquestionable.

Israel e Palestina: urge falar claro e agir com equilíbrio

Israel e Palestina: urge falar claro e agir com equilíbrio: O gabinete de guerra israelita quer recomeçar a operação militar na Faixa de Gaza tão rapidamente quanto possível -- desta vez no Sul, visto que já não há muito para destruir na parte norte. Benjamin Netanyahu e o resto do grupo dirigente aposta imprudentemente numa solução militar. Por duas razões: primeiro, por acreditarem que assim conseguirão eliminar de vez a direção e os combatentes do Hamas; segundo, por pensarem que o caos resultante de uma ofensiva militar esmagadora acabará por expulsar de Gaza uma grande parte da população sobrevivente, levando-a a abandonar o território e a procurar refúgio noutras paragens, fora da Palestina.

Lisbon Speed Talk | O Médio Oriente e a guerra Israel-Hamas

Zurrar e fazer de bobo nas televisões abre as portas do poder: o exemplo Milei

Zurrar e fazer de bobo nas televisões abre as portas do poder: o exemplo Milei

Não cabe à ONU colar os cacos nem administrar Gaza

Não cabe à ONU colar os cacos nem administrar Gaza: No início da semana, voltei à terra natal, a convite da Escola de Ciências Sociais da Universidade de Évora. Pediram-me que abordasse o papel da ONU perante os desafios atuais da paz e do desenvolvimento sustentável, com base na experiência que acumulei ao longo de décadas. Um tema labiríntico, tendo presente o caos em que várias partes do mundo, incluindo a Europa, se encontram. Mais ainda, porque o sistema multilateral tem enfrentado, desde o início do século, uma série de reveses que têm minado a credibilidade do pilar mais significativo da ONU: a defesa da paz e da segurança internacional.

Commenting on the G20 Final Communiqué

 I share the frustration expressed by many regarding the outcome of the G20 just held.

The final statement reiterates many of the commitments made elsewhere. Particularly, in many United Nations meetings. As I said in the Portuguese media, the main issue is that promises are made but their implementation lacks far behind or never happens. That is the best way to undermine the leadership, be it at the county level or in the global arena. It explains why the credibility of the international leaders is so low.  

This said, it was important to bring back to the final communiqué all those points that are being discussed in the key international conferences. That includes the SDG, the climate discussions, the gender issues, the inequality problems, the respect for the UN Charter and for people’s rights. And the matters of peace and war. 

The point on the reform of the World Bank is also a wise play.  

Words and statement most be seen as significant, even when we know that human rights or any other key issues are not respected in the country whose leader has pledged to. It gives those who care and who fight for those rights a leverage point. Strength, I would say.

 

Regarding the African Union, I agree it is a crucial move. It is also a smart move for South Africa, that has now a reason to say no to Nigeria or Egypt in the G20.  

In the end, I think we should see India and others encouraging multilateral approaches and multilateralism but planning to play in small groupings and betting as much as possible in bilateral relations and pure and tough national interests.