Algerian delegation walks out as Israeli envoy speaks at UN

25 October 2023; MEMO: Algeria’s delegation to the UN walked out as the Israeli representative began to give his speech yesterday. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria Ahmed Attaf left the hall, followed by other representatives of Algiers. Delegations from a number of other countries followed suit.

During his speech, Attaf called for an immediate cessation of Israeli bombings on Gaza which have left more than 6,000 dead since 7 October, adding that the current situation has been reached as a result of the “almost total marginalisation” of the Palestinian cause and the “denigration of its importance” on the international agenda.“It is also about unjustifiable complacency with regard to the Zionist occupation which enjoys absolute, limitless, unconditional and unjustified immunity,” he added.

During yesterday’s session, held to address the “Israel-Gaza Crisis”, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, warned the Security Council that “the situation in the Middle East is growing more dire by the hour” and “the war in Gaza is raging and risks spiraling throughout the region.”