New York City – Gaza and Palestine have been the dominant topics at the United Nations as world leaders convened at the 80th General Assembly (UNGA) in New York over the past week.In their speeches, UN Security Council (UNSC) meetings, sideline events and media briefings, many countries – from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to France to Malaysia – called for an end to Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listBut as most of the world rallied around Palestine in the first week of the UNGA, Israel killed at least 661 Palestinians in Gaza and pushed on unabated with its ground assault on Gaza City.Diplomats and analysts say rhetoric and diplomatic moves alone, including the recognition of a Palestinian state, are not enough to move the needle on the ground, or improve the situation of Palestinians under bombardment and occupation.Rights advocates are seeking an arms embargo and sanctions against Israel to force it to end its abuses.Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, executive secretary of the Hague Group – a coalition of countries pushing for such measures against Israel – said the “situation keeps getting worse” because Israel continues to have access to weapons and resources.“The economic might of the genocidal machine is still not weakened. Israel continues to receive arms,” Gandikota-Nellutla told Al Jazeera.Palestine recognitionDuring the UNGA, dozens of countries convened for a summit to push for the two-state solution, while several Western states, including Australia, France and the United Kingdom, formally recognised Palestine. Advertisement As that meeting was under way, protesters outside the UN complex banged on pots to decry the deadly hunger in Gaza.Maamoun Hussein, one of the demonstrators, s …
