New york: Jordan and the European Union co-chaired a high-level ministerial meeting for the “Call to Action for Children in the West Bank and Gaza” initiative on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The meeting was attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and was co-chaired by Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Pr©vot, and EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hager Lahbib.
According to Jordan News Agency, Safadi commenced the meeting by requesting a moment of silence for the children of Gaza, emphasizing the severe impact of the Israeli military operations. He accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and stressed the necessity for international intervention to protect Palestinian children, citing alarming incidents of starvation, violence, and trauma affecting children in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Safadi stated, “Children are dying by the hour either by bullets or hunger,” and highlighted that over 60,000 Palestinian children have been killed or injured in Gaza, with over 200 children killed in the occupied West Bank in the past two years. He criticized global inaction, asserting that it perpetuates Israel’s impunity.
He urged for cohesive international efforts to uphold international law, protect children, and ensure accountability. Safadi reiterated that the “Call to Action” initiative, launched by Jordan, Belgium, and the EU in 2023 and now backed by 71 countries, aims to raise awareness, mobilize support, and enhance humanitarian response for Palestinian children.
In his concluding remarks, Safadi appealed to all UN member states to support the initiative, stating, “This is a call for the right of Palestinian children to live, learn, play and dream,” and urged them to stand for justice.