NEW YORK : Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi has called on the international community to exert real pressure on Israel, including the use of sanctions, to compel it to engage in meaningful negotiations and end what he described as decades of occupation and aggression.

Speaking before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Al-Busaidi said the Palestinian cause must remain a top priority for the international community, describing it as “one of the most painful and pressing moral challenges facing humanity.” He stressed that Israel’s actions in Gaza and across the region amount to genocide and a violation of international law.

The minister welcomed the recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UK, France, Canada and Australia, saying such decisions represented important steps toward justice. He reiterated Oman’s unwavering support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution.

Al-Busaidi also warned that Israel’s continued defiance of global appeals threatens the credibility of the international order. He condemned its “illegal occupation and acts of aggression” not only in Palestine but also through strikes in Iran, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Qatar.

Underscoring Oman’s long-standing role as a regional mediator, including its facilitation of dialogue between the United States and Iran, the foreign minister affirmed that Muscat would continue working with partners to advance peace, stability and dialogue.

“Despite the crises of our age, this moment carries the promise of a future anchored in justice, freedom, prosperity and stability — if the world is willing to act collectively and decisively,” Al-Busaidi told the assembly.

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