{"id":243000,"date":"2020-12-01T13:49:54","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T18:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=243000"},"modified":"2020-12-07T13:50:50","modified_gmt":"2020-12-07T18:50:50","slug":"speakers-in-palestinian-rights-committee-observe-international-day-of-solidarity-call-for-conference-to-advance-peace-process-during-2021-press-release-ga-pal-1434","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/speakers-in-palestinian-rights-committee-observe-international-day-of-solidarity-call-for-conference-to-advance-peace-process-during-2021-press-release-ga-pal-1434\/","title":{"rendered":"Speakers in Palestinian Rights Committee Observe International Day of Solidarity, Call for Conference to Advance Peace Process During 2021 – Press Release (GA\/PAL\/1434)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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GA\/PAL\/1434<\/strong>
\n1 DECEMBER 2020<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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Fran\u00e7ais\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Palestinians Ready to Resume Direct Talks with Israel, Permanent Observer Says<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the context of a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by COVID\u201119, speakers called on Israel to end its illegal practices and enable an environment conducive to a negotiated peace with Palestinians, as the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People met today to observe the annual International Day of Solidarity.<\/p>\n

Opening the meeting, Committee Chair Cheikh Niang\u00a0(Senegal) expressed condolences on the passing of Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, a sentiment echoed by most other speakers throughout the meeting.\u00a0 In these unprecedent times of pandemic, humanitarian conditions are particularly dire in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially Gaza.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Palestinians are still being deprived of their inalienable rights, with the partition resolution still unfulfilled and no sovereign Palestinian State.\u00a0 A lack of free movement, excessive force, and traumatization of children continue to cause suffering.\u00a0 Settlement expansion persists in defiance of international law and home demolition has increased, with thousands living under threat of expulsion or settler violence, as well the threat of annexation.<\/p>\n

He called on Israel to abandon its plans for de jure occupation and its siege of Gaza.\u00a0 He pressed Member States to urgently address the shortfall of the Â鶹APP Works and Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees\u00a0(UNWRA), to avert serious risks to the region\u2019s stability.\u00a0 He also called for the accomplishment of peace, justice, equality and dignity through the realization of two States living side by side, within the pre\u20111967 borders and Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian State.\u00a0 He echoed calls for an international meeting to advance the peace process, along with renewed Palestinian reconciliation efforts.\u00a0 Bilateral agreements in the region must take into account the need to resolve the Palestinian plight.\u00a0 \u201cPalestinian people need more than solidarity,\u201d he stressed.\u00a0 \u201cThey need bold action based on the Â鶹APP Charter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Volkan Bozk\u0131r (Turkey), President of the General Assembly, noted that the rights of the Palestinian people have been on the agenda of the Â鶹APP since its founding 75\u00a0years ago.\u00a0 However, Palestinian civilians continue to suffer from illegal settlements and other injustices, with threats of annexation part of a recurring pattern curtailing their fundamental rights, and COVID\u201119 worsening their insecurity.\u00a0 A two\u2011State solution within the pre\u20111967 borders, adhering to previous Â鶹APP resolutions, is the only premise for a just and lasting peace for all, he insisted, noting that UNRWA, despite its crucial work, still faces funding gaps and requires predictable, sustained financing to ensure security for Palestinian refugees.<\/p>\n

Xolisa Mabhongo (South Africa), on behalf of the Presidency of the Security Council, said the Council has remained seized on the Palestinian situation over the past year, as members harbour deep concerns about the lack of progress \u2014 both in the peace process and on the ground.\u00a0 In February, a special meeting was convened in which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Council.\u00a0 Underscoring the Council\u2019s commitment to helping secure a just and lasting peace, he called for the implementation of all its resolutions and condemned all acts of violence.\u00a0 COVID\u201119, which presents an additional concern, also has been addressed during the body\u2019s meetings, particularly on the humanitarian situation, he stated.<\/p>\n

Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, Secretary\u2011General of the Â鶹APP, said the question of Palestine remains distressingly unresolved, as the Â鶹APP celebrates its seventy\u2011fifth anniversary.\u00a0 Moreover, COVID\u201119 has decimated the Palestinian economy and undermined the already fragile humanitarian, economic and political situation in Gaza, further entrenched by crippling restrictions on movement and access.\u00a0 Meanwhile, prospects for a viable two\u2011State solution are growing more distant, as a host of factors continue to cause great misery, including the expansion of illegal settlements, a significant spike in the demolition of Palestinian homes and structures, violence and militant activity.<\/p>\n

He recalled that Israeli and Palestinian leaders have a responsibility to explore \u201cevery opening\u201d to restore hope and achieve a two\u2011State solution in line with relevant Â鶹APP resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements on the basis of the pre\u20111967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.\u00a0 He expressed hope that recent developments will encourage Palestinian and Israeli leaders to re\u2011engage in meaningful negotiations, with support from the international community, and create opportunities for regional cooperation.\u00a0 He also expressed concern about the financial situation facing UNRWA, which plays an essential role as the main provider of direct and often life\u2011saving assistance to many of the 5.7\u00a0million Palestinian refugees.<\/p>\n

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, delivering a statement on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, said that since its establishment 75\u00a0years ago, the Â鶹APP has embodied the pledge to maintain international peace and security by upholding international law and delivering people from the shackles of occupation.\u00a0 It is paradoxical that, as this Organization was adopting its Charter, Palestinians were being deprived of the very rights enshrined within it.\u00a0 To this day, they continue to live under occupation.\u00a0 However, this has not altered their faith in the rule of international law as the basis for a just resolution to the conflict.<\/p>\n

In the darkest hours, when the injustice of Israeli measures could have pushed Palestine to abandon a political and legal approach, it has remained steadfast in the defence of its rights, he said.\u00a0 International law remains the cornerstone of the multilateral rules\u2011based order.\u00a0 He expressed gratitude to all States committed to the two\u2011State solution based on 1967\u00a0borders \u2014 and to all those offering political support, in line with the Â鶹APP Charter, as well as those offering humanitarian and development support to the Palestinian people.\u00a0 Indeed, it is time for the international community to take the necessary practical measures to translate international consensus into reality and to reject colonialist policies that have only intensified during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Palestine\u2019s hand remains extended for a just peace, based on Â鶹APP resolutions and a two\u2011State solution along 1967\u00a0borders, he said.\u00a0 It is ready to resume direct negotiations with Israel; it has never rejected such talks.\u00a0 He called on the Secretary\u2011General to undertake preparations early in\u00a02021 to convene an international conference with full authority involving all concerned parties, so as to launch a genuine, meaningful peace process based on international law.\u00a0 This conference would bring about an end to the occupation and achieve the freedom and independence of the Palestinian people.\u00a0 Palestinians will remain on their land and never surrender to injustice, he stressed.<\/p>\n

Following his statement, Mr.\u00a0Mansour opened the virtual exhibition \u201cThe Writing is On the Wall:\u00a0 Annexation Past and Present,\u201d which he said illuminates the resilience and creativity of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

Syed Mohamad Hasrin Aidid,<\/strong>\u00a0Chair of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, joined other speakers in calling for a just and lasting solution to the plight of the Palestinians.\u00a0 Noting that his report will be submitted to the General Assembly on 2\u00a0December, he said it outlines how every aspect of Palestinian life is impacted by the occupation.\u00a0 He highlighted settlement expansion, administrative detention, housing demolitions, settler violence and numerous other causes of Palestinian suffering documented in the report.\u00a0 He urged Israel to end all such practices and to fulfil its obligations to ensure that Palestinians are protected from the COVID\u201119 outbreak.\u00a0 He also called for an end to the blockade of Gaza.<\/p>\n

Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer for the African Union reading out a message from Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair of the African Union Commission, said today\u2019s celebration is a reminder that Palestinians continue to face mounting difficulties.\u00a0 Affirming the Commission\u2019s solidarity, she called on international and regional organizations to demand that Israel respect all international resolutions for resolving the conflict.\u00a0 Speaking in her capacity as Permanent Observer, she condemned Israel\u2019s restrictions on Palestinians and their essential resources, saying they resemble apartheid.\u00a0 She also called attention to the violation of basic rights of Palestinian prisoners who have fallen victim to administrative detention.\u00a0 Affirming the consistent desire of Palestinian President Abbas for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict, she asked the Middle East Quartet\u00a0[Â鶹APP, United States, European Union, Russian Federation] and the Security Council to demand that Israel respect relevant Council resolutions and the two\u2011State solution.\u00a0 Rejecting Israel\u2019s confiscation of land and the constraints imposed on Palestinian families that cause them to leave their land, she said the situation demands urgent resolution, given Israel\u2019s unilateral actions in Gaza.\u00a0 She prayed, she said, for peace, liberty and justice for Palestine.<\/p>\n

Maged A. Abdelaziz,<\/strong>\u00a0Permanent Observer for the League of Arab States, denounced that Palestinians are still deprived of their rights, with the impact of the brutal occupation exacerbated by a pandemic raging through their communities.\u00a0 The Palestinian question is central to the Arab world, he stressed, affirming the League\u2019s focus on ending the occupation.\u00a0 The Â鶹APP has an obligation to ensure the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State, based on the land\u2011for\u2011peace principle and the vision of a two\u2011State solution.\u00a0 The entire international community, in turn, must take up its responsibilities to ensure that Israel allows the Palestinian people to achieve their rights and halts its violations of international law.\u00a0 Calling for aid to UNWRA, he urged action to revive peace negotiations, including through an international meeting in\u00a02021.<\/p>\n

Agshin Mehdiyev, Permanent Observer for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, speaking on behalf of Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmad Al\u2011Othaimeen, said celebrating the International Day of Solidarity allows the international community to express its commitment to the inalienable rights of Palestinians.\u00a0 It is taking place, however, against the backdrop of disturbing challenges in the Territory, which is still subject to Israel\u2019s occupation, the separation wall, property damage, more than 12,000\u00a0illegal settlements and violations of international law as well as Â鶹APP resolutions.\u00a0 The international community must work to end Israel\u2019s settlement policy and recognize a two\u2011State solution based on the 1967\u00a0borders.\u00a0 He also emphasized the need to respond to the humanitarian needs of UNRWA, ensuring that refugees receive adequate attention until a lasting resolution is achieved.<\/p>\n

Yashar Aliyev\u00a0(Azerbaijan), speaking on behalf of the Non\u2011Aligned Movement, reaffirmed the Movement\u2019s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and support for their inalienable rights.\u00a0 A just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the question of Palestine remains a permanent responsibility of the Â鶹APP until the issue is justly and satisfactorily resolved in all its aspects.\u00a0 He endorsed the call by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the timely convening of an international peace conference to advance a just and lasting solution, including a sovereign Palestinian State, based on international law and all relevant resolutions.\u00a0 He expressed deep regret that the plight of Palestinians has worsened and been exacerbated by COVID\u201119, reiterating the Movement\u2019s demands for lifting the Gaza blockade and ending Israel\u2019s illegal practices on the ground.<\/p>\n

Erica N. Williams, speaking for Black Christians for Palestine, recounted her experience travelling on a public bus from Bethlehem to East Jerusalem in\u00a02018.\u00a0 The bus came to a checkpoint where all Palestinians had to exit and be searched before they could \u201center Israel\u201d, even though the bus was in fact travelling from one Palestinian destination to another:\u00a0 from occupied Bethlehem to occupied East Jerusalem.\u00a0 A mother with two small children was rushed off the bus by an Israeli officer carrying a large gun pointed towards her.\u00a0 \u201cThere was fear and terror in the woman\u2019s eyes\u201d, she said, noting that the woman was searched before she was permitted back on the bus.<\/p>\n

More broadly, she said the fight to liberate Palestinians is not only being waged by Christians, but people of all faith traditions who believe that all people are born free and deserve dignity.\u00a0 Commemorating international solidarity is not enough.\u00a0 Palestinians are being denied their rights, and the Â鶹APP must move beyond words to a new priority of action.\u00a0 Restoring human rights to those who are being illegally denied them is its obligation; the defence of those unable to protect themselves is its burden, she stressed.<\/p>\n

Closing the event, the Chair thanked the numerous delegations and organizations that submitted statements of solidarity with the Palestinian people, in addition to those presented at the meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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