Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed strong support for Palestinian independence during his 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) address.
His remarks came amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a significant assault on Israel, leading to extensive military responses from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), including aerial strikes and ground operations in the Gaza Strip.
As of September 2024, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 41,431 Palestinians and 1,706 Israelis, raising serious concerns about the humanitarian situation on both sides.
Addressing the 79th session of the General Assembly, Shettima highlighted the importance of considering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in discussions surrounding war, peace, and humanitarian efforts.
“We cannot talk about war and peace, conflicts and reconciliation, or humanitarian needs today without considering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he asserted, emphasising the need for a global response to the ongoing crisis.
Shettima further stressed that the Palestinian people are entitled to freedom and independence. He painted a grim picture of the conditions in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, stating, “What we are witnessing today is a clear failure by the international community to uphold the principles and aspirations of the United Nations—eliminating inequality, violence, and domination of one people over another. Justice and freedom must be prioritised.”
He urged world leaders to acknowledge the rights of Palestinians, reiterating that their pursuit of independence and recognised territories is supported by international law and should not be overlooked.
“Freedom is a natural entitlement that can’t be denied to any people. The Palestinian people deserve independence. They deserve to have their own territories already recognised by this very Assembly and international law, which is being routinely ignored,” Shettima concluded.
