Guatemala City, by Brenda Larios -AGN- The Guatemalan Government, through Foreign Affairs Minister Mario Búcaro, participated in the tenth extraordinary emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly.
During his speech, the Minister reiterated the call to unite for peace in Israel.
Minister Búcaro underscored, “This General Assembly must act to reduce polarization and discourage speeches and actions of hatred. The only way to do this is for everyone to unite against terrorism, condemning the actions of Hamas and other terrorist organizations clearly and unequivocally.”
He also called for an end to their practices of placing arsenals and terrorist infrastructure in the underground areas of hospitals and other buildings. Among these, he mentioned schools and religious centers that threaten the protection of civilians, which they use as human shields.
Reiterating Condemnation
In his address, Minister Búcaro reiterated Guatemala’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks by Hamas against the State of Israel and its civilian population. He observed that Hamas confuses the Palestinian cause with the justification of terrorism, which he labeled as a grave moral and strategic mistake for the Palestinian cause and the international efforts to achieve peace in the region.
Minister Búcaro also condemned the attacks by the Hezbollah terrorist group on Israel. These attacks violate the resolution establishing the Blue Line, the border between Lebanon and Israel, and have claimed the lives of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
The Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs recalled the words of Golda Meir in his speech: “If the pro-Palestinian groups were to lay down their arms today, there would be no more violence. But if the Israelis were to lay down their arms today, there would be no State of Israel.”
Expressing Solidarity
Minister Búcaro expressed his solidarity in this moment of deep sadness and sorrow for Israel during his participation. He stated, “We offer our deepest condolences for the numerous victims, stand in solidarity with their families, and demand the release of the hostages, including babies, children, women, and the elderly.”
Minister Búcaro concluded his address by observing that the General Assembly cannot forget that the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 triggered the current crisis and that these aggressions have affected Israelis, Palestinians, and people of other nationalities.
He also emphasized that this has caused death, damage, suffering, and destruction, as well as a humanitarian situation of enormous proportions.
Minister Búcaro also expressed Guatemala’s solidarity with the humanitarian personnel providing aid and offered condolences for those who have lost their lives while performing their duties.
Finally, Minister Búcaro emphasized that the General Assembly has recognized the right of the State of Israel to self-preservation and the defense of its population in this context.
