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ABUZIED SHAMSELDIN (Sudan<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that the report of the Special Committee had classified all the violations of human rights and international law perpetrated by the Israeli authorities, among which were killings, arbitrary detentions, home demolitions, and settlement construction. In addition to contravening international law and resolutions, those violations also jeopardized the two-State solution and created adverse social and political conditions in the Palestinian Territory. The blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip made the enclave an intolerable place to live. It was time to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territory, and Sudan supported every step towards a comprehensive and lasting peace that would eventually lead an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.<\/p><\/div>\n\n
REBECA HERNANDEZ TOLEDANO (Cuba<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that the Special Committee’s conclusions confirmed no support by Israel for implementation of Âé¶¹APP resolutions towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The 5,000 detainees held in 22 prisons in Israel and Palestine, the 197 children arrested by the Israelis as of June, the 312 settler attacks on Palestinians, and the 492 Palestinians displaced with the support of the Israeli armed forces affirmed its efforts to control Palestine. Only an end to the occupation, the liberation of the impoverished people in Gaza, and the cessation of provocative Israeli military activities would support the international community’s efforts to launch positive negotiations. The Security Council, however, remained powerless because one of its members maintained its threat of veto. Israel continued to seek to impose its Government on the Palestinians, which confirmed its violations of international law, State agreements and Âé¶¹APP resolutions. Cuba recommended recognition of Palestinian sovereignty and the return of Palestinian lands as the only way to a just and lasting peace.<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Right of Reply<\/u><\/p><\/div>\n\n
Speaking in exercise of right of reply, the observer of the State of Palestine<\/u> said that the report of the Special Committee was neither biased nor one-sided. Its examination was clearly within the framework of international law and there was no distortion of truth or discrediting of Israel. The Committee had reported facts regarding the systematic and egregious violations of rights by Israel, some of which amounted to war crimes. Yet, Israel continued to justify those violations by attacking those who spoke out against them.<\/p><\/div>\n\n
The Israeli delegate, she added, during his statement today, had not referred to or recognized the root of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict even once – the occupation of Palestinian lands since 1967 and the subjugation of the Palestinian people. No amount of “easing restrictions” would resolve that conflict. “Lessening the crime while still committing the crime” was flawed logic. Only ending the occupation would enable the Palestinian people to truly know the dignity and peace they had been denied for decades. Among Israel’s many “empty and offensive pretexts” was today’s statement that ending the occupation was a compromise.<\/p><\/div>\n
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The international community’s position was clear and was reflected in the statements before the Fourth Committee and Security Council, as well as the principled support in the General Assembly. That was the clear answer to Israel’s caustic arguments.<\/p><\/div>\n
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Also speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the representative of Israel<\/u> said that a number of delegations were spreading lies and accusations, trying to trample on the democratic process of the Fourth Committee as they did “back home”. Their efforts would be better spent providing liberty to the women and minorities they oppressed in their own countries, rather than wasting the Committee’s valuable time. Especially remarkable was the audacity of Lebanese delegate, given the corruption and violence in her country. The representative of Lebanon must take a look at the refugee camps in her country where Palestinians were consistently discriminated against.<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Also speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the representative of Lebanon<\/u> said that her country had never politicized the discussion or deviated from it. Since Israeli practices was the topic of the day, her delegation had limited itself to the reports submitted by the Secretary—General. Lebanon was a founding member of the Âé¶¹APP and a host country to thousands of Palestinians who had fled because of Israeli occupation and violence. That was demonstrated by facts submitted, not only to this Committee, but to various other Âé¶¹APP bodies.<\/p><\/div>\n
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