The Sultanate’s statement at the UN Human Rights Council, read out by Yahya Bin Salim Al Wahaibi, during a recent discussion on the human rights situation in occupied Palestine, is significant.

It reflects the age-old views of the country on Israel’s barbarism that has resulted in enormous suffering for the Palestinians over the last six decades since the establishment of the Zionist entity.

The statement touched upon a number of issues. It said the situation is deteriorating in the occupied lands as a result of increasing attacks on the Palestinians and the violation of their basic human rights. Cases in point are the recent Israeli attacks in Gaza in which a number of civilians were killed.

Actually, over the years, thousands of Palestinians have been killed or wounded and it would not be an exaggeration to state that Israeli bullets have killed someone in almost every family in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Other measures against Palestinians were also condemned in the statement. Among them are administrative detention and solitary confinement that have caused considerable agony to thousands over the years.

The demolition of homes as punishment is another atrocity that has been happening regularly. And the less said the better about the building of new settlements and the expansion of old ones on a large scale in the West Bank and Occupied East Jerusalem.

The Sultanate’s statement called upon the United Nations and other regional and international organisations to act in a responsible manner by heeding the Palestinian appeal for help and act to ease their pain.

Others nations and organisations have in the past made similar appeals. But all these appeals have been a waste as Israel has thumbed its nose at the international community, with American help. An example is the United Nations Security Council resolution that was vetoed by the United States some months back.

There are indications that the Palestinians are again going to the Security Council over the settlements. But the result of this is a foregone conclusion as Israel’s mentors in the higher echelons of power in Washington are there to protect it.

The Sultanate’s statement fully backed the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and for a fair and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This can only happen when the Middle East peace process is brought back to life. And for that to happen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to freeze settlements.

Considering the announcements in recent months of new settlements, this will not happen in the immediate future.

The ball, therefore, is in the court of the international community. The world will have to unite and act. In the vanguard must be the United States, which considers itself the champion of freedom and human rights. And that action must be taken fast.