A Message from UNA-USA Regarding the Conflict in the Middle East

Washington, D.C. (November 7, 2023) — The United Nations Associations of the USA (UNA-USA) issued the following statement, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations amid the conflict in the Middle East:

Today marks the one-month anniversary of the killing of 1400 Israelis by Hamas and the abduction of more than 200 hostages. As a result, Israel declared war on Hamas. An estimated ten thousand Palestinians have been killed so far, with multiple reports indicating the majority of those killed have been women and children.

While there have been small moments of progress — the release of a handful of hostages and some, albeit limited access to the Egypt-Gaza border — the ongoing crisis is alarming, due to “the intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza,” according to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He added, “This includes the expansion of ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces accompanied by intense air strikes, and the continued rocket fire towards Israel from Gaza.”

We, at the United Nations Association of the USA, are horrified by the situation in the Middle East and call for the following immediate actions:

• An immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Hamas and Israel;
• Immediate and unconditional release of civilians held hostage by Hamas;
• Unimpeded humanitarian access to meet the urgent needs unfolding in Gaza;
• Compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law, including principles of distinction and proportionality.

We ask our partners here in the United States and abroad to join us in this call, until civilians in the region are secure from indiscriminate acts of war.

Furthermore, we call for all individuals to combat misinformation and disinformation, which is hindering the potential for a peaceful resolution. We encourage the utilization and circulation of factual information from reliable sources to enable a true understanding of this crisis.

About the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA):

The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is a grassroots movement of Americans who support the vital work of the United Nations in U.S. communities, colleges, and Congress. For more than 75 years, UNA-USA and its national network of 20,000 members and 200 chapters have promoted strong U.S. leadership at the UN through advocacy campaigns, youth engagement, outreach programs, and public events. Learn more.