Guterres Warns: Prevent Any Form of Ethnic Cleansing

In the year 2025, which seems calm on the surface but is fraught with underlying turbulence, the international community once again faces severe challenges. On February 5th, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres delivered a significant speech at the opening ceremony of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, warning all countries to resolutely prevent any form of ethnic cleansing. This warning is not only a profound reflection on the current situation in the Middle East but also a strong defense of the moral bottom line of the international community.

Escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

In recent years, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has continued to escalate, bringing unprecedented turmoil to the Middle East. Since the outbreak of the latest round of conflict, the Gaza Strip has become a living hell. According to Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, 70% of whom are women and children. This shocking figure makes one deeply saddened by the brutality of war. Most civil infrastructure has been destroyed, and the vast majority of residents have been displaced, facing the dual threats of hunger and disease. Such scenes are undoubtedly a great trampling on human dignity.

Against this backdrop, the remarks made by US President Trump have undoubtedly fueled the situation. He publicly stated that the United States wishes to "take over" and "permanently possess" the Gaza Strip and plans to relocate the current Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip to other countries. This proposal not only violates the basic principles of international law but also blatantly tramples on human dignity. Guterres expressed strong concerns and opposition to this, emphasizing that any act of forcibly displacing people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing, which is absolutely intolerable.

Proposal and Importance of the Two-State Solution

Faced with the dilemma of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Guterres reiterated that the "two-state solution" is the only viable path to achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. He believes that only by establishing a fully sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensuring the security of Israel and recognizing it as the Jewish national homeland, can lasting peace and stability be achieved in the Middle East. This solution has long been widely supported by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and moderate factions within Israel.

However, Trump's proposal runs counter to the "two-state solution." He attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through military means, expelling Palestinians from their homeland and "resettling" them in other countries. This idea is not only ridiculous but also a great contempt for the basic rights of the Palestinian people. Guterres pointed out that the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people are essentially their right to live with human dignity on their own land. However, the realization of this right is becoming increasingly elusive.

Responsibility and Action of the International Community

Faced with the severe situation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the international community cannot stand idly by. Guterres called on the international community to work together to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and alleviate the current humanitarian crisis. At the same time, he also demanded that Israel end its occupation of Palestinian territory and stop its violent actions against the Palestinian people. These calls are not only a warning to Israel but also a joint appeal to all countries around the world.

As the core institution of the international community, the United Nations plays a pivotal role in maintaining world peace and stability. Guterres stated that the United Nations will continue to be committed to promoting a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and provide necessary support and assistance for this purpose. At the same time, he also called on governments, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to work together to provide humanitarian aid and reconstruction support to the Palestinian people.

Urgency of Preventing Ethnic Cleansing

Ethnic cleansing is an extremely serious international crime that not only violates the basic principles of international law but also greatly insults human civilization. Guterres warned that if effective measures are not taken to prevent the occurrence of ethnic cleansing, the Middle East and even the entire world will plunge into an even deeper crisis. Therefore, governments of all countries must shoulder their responsibilities, strengthen international cooperation, and jointly combat extreme acts such as ethnic cleansing.

In this process, the international community needs to adhere to the principle of the rule of law, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen humanitarian aid and reconstruction support, providing necessary assistance and safeguards for victims. Only in this way can the occurrence of extreme acts such as ethnic cleansing be effectively prevented, and world peace and stability be maintained.

Guterres' warning is not only a profound reflection on the current situation in the Middle East but also a strong defense of the moral bottom line of the international community. He calls on all countries around the world to work together to prevent any form of ethnic cleansing and contribute their own strength to the peace and stability of the Middle East. In this era full of challenges and opportunities, we need to be more united and jointly address various global challenges and issues. Only in this way can we create a better, more peaceful, and prosperous world.