Top Palestinian envoy calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, international action

Waleed Siam, front row center, the non-resident ambassador of the State of Palestine to Korea, speaks of Israeli astrocities in the Gaza region during a press conference at the Embassy of Oman in Seoul, Wednesday. From front row left are Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi, Siam and Omani Ambassador to Korea Zakariya Al Saadi. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin

In a passionate plea to the international community, Waleed Siam, the non-resident ambassador of the State of Palestine to Korea, decried the dire situation in Gaza, describing it as the largest graveyard in modern history.

"Forty-seven days ago, Gaza was regarded as the largest open prison or a concentration camp. Today, Gaza unfortunately is the largest graveyard in modern history," Siam said during a press conference held at the Oman Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday.

Twelve ambassadors to Korea from Arab countries and members of the Arab Ambassadors Group attended the press conference in a show of solidarity with Palestine. Among them were UAE Ambassador Abdulla Alnuaimi, Qatari Ambassador Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar and Egyptian Ambassador Khaled Abdelrahman Hassan Abdelrahman.

Expressing deep sadness and shock, Siam highlighted the ongoing attacks occurring daily in Gaza and criticized the international community for its lack of immediate action to halt the conflict.

"We commend the position of other countries, Islamic nations, and friendly nations in supporting an immediate ceasefire and ending Israeli occupation not only of Gaza but the West Bank and East Jerusalem," he said.

Siam cited the Israeli bombing of Gaza in recent weeks, in retaliation against the bloody Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. He provided grim statistics, stating that over 14,000 civilians, including 5,840 children and newborns, have lost their lives, with 6,800 missing and 1.7 million Palestinians displaced.

The ambassador expressed concern over the destruction and loss of life, questioning the targeting of homes, religious sites, and hospitals that hinder urgent medical care. Siam criticized Israel for seemingly enjoying immunity from international law, calling for accountability for what he said are acts of terror and ethnic cleansing against Palestinian citizens.

"The fact that the members of this government openly called for the extermination of Palestinians is deeply disturbing," he said. "We find it unacceptable to label innocent civilians as terrorists and justify their targeting as an act of self-defense."

Siam underscored the urgent need for international attention, especially from the United Nations Security Council, urging its members not to shield Israel. He called for condemnation and an end to the ongoing attacks.

"We will do everything within our power to hold these criminal actions and ensure that those responsible will be held accountable," Siam said.

Calling the conflict an asymmetric war and a war crime, Siam rejected a temporary ceasefire, asserting the State of Palestine's right to govern Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem without external interference.

"We don't want a temporary ceasefire; we want to end the war. The State of Palestine will govern Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and we will not accept anything less," he declared.

Siam highlighted the Arab Peace Initiative as a viable solution, expressing frustration with Israel's refusal to comply since 2002. He asserted that the initiative, which calls for Israel's withdrawal to the 1967 borders and the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital, is evidence that Israel does not genuinely seek peace.

"The solution has been on the table for many years. It's time for a Palestinian state with full sovereignty," Siam said. "We've waited 75 years; we've had enough."