Bangladesh has called upon the UN Security Council to prevail upon Israel to immediately halt violence and illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, has also urged Israel to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, and put an end to all forms of occupation and violence.
He was making a statement at the UNSC on Friday during an Open Debate on the “Situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine”, said a media release of the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN.
The debate was convened by Kazakhstan, the president of the UNSC.
Mentioning Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's firm stand on the question of Palestine, Masud said the government and the people of Bangladesh remain steadfast in their support for the just and legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people for their inalienable rights, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, viable, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in the framework of a two-state solution.
He expressed concern over cutting funding for United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees which would have grave consequences for millions of Palestinian refugees in a number of host countries.
“We reaffirm the need for ensuring enhanced, predictable and sustainable funding for UNRWA and urge the member states to help uphold UNRWA's ability to make a difference in the lives of Palestinian refugees.”
Ambassador Masud stressed giving immediate priority to ensuring international protection for the Palestinian people suffering for decades from the occupying power's policy of collective punishment.
