Vietnam condemns attacks on civilians in Israel-Palestine conflict

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on May 16 held the third emergency meeting in a week to discuss the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN. (Photo: VOV)
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN. (Photo: VOV)

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, expressed his deep concern over the escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians with growing casualties.

Vietnam condemns the attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, he affirmed.

He stressed that while seeking solutions to the conflict’s root causes, acts of violence must be ended immediately and all the relevant parties must exercise self-restraint and not complicate the situation.

Vietnam asked the parties, particularly Israel, to respect the international humanitarian law and exercise maximum self-restraint to minimise damage, including to essential infrastructure, and avoid civilian casualties as in line with the UNSC’s Resolution 2573.

Quy also underlined Vietnam’s appeal to Israel to immediately stop the excessive use of force and any unilateral act complicating the situation.

The diplomat pointed out the quickly worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, voicing his serious concern about the exhaustion of fuel for power plants that may lead to a severe crisis for the healthcare and water supply sectors.

Regarding solutions and efforts by the international community, he called on all members of the international and regional communities that have influence on the parties to augment efforts to avoid risks of a war like in 2014.

The Vietnamese ambassador underscored the need to resolve the conflict by peaceful measures and that in the long run, the only sustainable path for the Middle East peace issue is to carry out the two-state solution.

He also stressed the necessity for the UNSC to have a strong and unanimous voice in this regard.

This emergency meeting was held at the request of 10 UNSC member states, namely China, Estonia, France, Ireland, Norway, Niger, Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, Tunisia, the UK, and Vietnam.