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'How can you talk of recognition when there's a genocide being committed against 2.3m people?' © France 24

11:39

Issued on: 22/09/2025 - 10:04

As a host of Western countries are now recognising the State of Palestine, in a historic first, Eve Irvine welcomes Chris Gunness, former spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Mr. Gunness warns that, 'In many states, of course, it's just 'symbolic. How can you talk of recognition when there's a genocide being committed against 2.3m people in Gaza and when we're on the verge, so we hear from far-right religious politicians in Israel of an announcement of an annexation of the West Bank.' He then explains how this is a pivotal moment for the international community. “International law is very clear,” he says. “You cannot commit genocide as a form of self-defence.” He references the recent findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that not only is genocide occurring in Gaza, but that senior Israeli leaders are inciting it.

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