During the African Union Summit, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh passionately appealed for decisive action to halt the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and put an end to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
"Let the voice of Africa and the voice of your union be loud for the freedom of Palestine and the right of its people to self-determination and the embodiment of the Palestinian state and its recognition as a member state of the United Nations," Shtayyeh said addressing attendees at the summit in Addis Ababa.
Emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to stop the "aggression" against the Palestinians, particularly the distressing events unfolding in Rafah, Shtayyeh denounced Israel as an "apartheid state" that systematically practices racial discrimination both in its "laws and actions".
He decried the prolonged hostilities and loss of life, characterizing Israel's actions as vengeful and serving political agendas rather than seeking peace and justice.
"Israel is killing out of revenge, after 134 days of aggression, and wants to continue killing for as long as possible to serve [Benjamin] Netanyahu's position as prime minister, this must not be allowed," he said.
Taking a firm stance against Israeli settlements, the Prime Minister urged for a boycott of settlement products, institutions, and the settlers themselves, commending nations that have labeled certain settlers as "terrorists." Shtayyeh highlighted the necessity for concrete actions to challenge and resist the expansion of settlements that undermine the prospects for a sustainable peace in the region.
The escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, has taken a devastating toll on civilian lives and infrastructure. According to Gaza's authorities, Israeli attacks have killed at least 28,858 Palestinian civilians and injured more than 68,677 others. In Israel, about 1,200 people died in the October 7 attack by the Palestinian movement Hamas.
Furthermore, amid accusations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice, an interim ruling in January mandated Tel Aviv to prevent genocidal acts and ensure the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.