Ukraine and Gaza message at the UN from Icelandic Foreign Minister Gunnarsdottir

Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir addressed the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Stating that Iceland supports the reform process of the United Nations system, Gunnarsdottir said that sovereignty is "sacred" for a state.

Gunnarsdottir stated that his country supports Ukraine and stated that Ukraine has the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to have a just and lasting peace on the basis of international law.

Pointing out that a nation cannot decide the future of another nation, Gunnarsdottir said, "We are witnessing that the ceasefire in Gaza is violated again and again and civilians continue to suffer. The suffering of the Palestinian people should not turn into background noise. Children are still being killed, families are losing their homes, parents are trying to keep their children alive, and these are happening again and again. We cannot accept that Gaza is destroyed and rebuilt over and over again without solving the basic problem."

Gunnarsdottir stated that Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank are unacceptable and reminded that his country, with the participation of 11 countries, decided to ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and impose restrictions on services related to these settlements.

Reminding that the phrase "moral cowards" has been used many times from the UN podium, Gunnarsdottir said, "In my opinion, moral cowards are those who refuse to sit at the table and negotiate for a just and lasting peace. They are those leaders who prevent access to humanitarian aid for people in desperate need of help. Morally cowards are world leaders who repeatedly violate and disrespect international law."