Palestine News Network (PNN) : "References to Palestine in the UN General Debate"

References to Palestine in the UN General Debate

Published on Thursday, 27 September 2012 12:19

PNN

PLO's Negotiations Affairs Department issued in a press release a compilation of statements made by various countries and the United Nations during the first day of the UNGA General Debate (67 Session). All  countries that did not make direct reference to the situation of Palestine have been omitted.

European Countries:

· United Kingdom: "Palestinians should have the chance to fulfill the same aspirations for a job and a voice as others in region"

And it is also why we will not waver from our insistence that Hamas gives up violence. Hamas must not be allowed to dictate the way forward. Palestinians should have the chance to fulfil the same aspirations for a job and a voice as others in region and we support their right to have a State and a home.

And Israelis should be able to fulfil their own aspirations to live in peace and security with their neighbors.

· Belgium: "We pronounce very clearly against the pursuit of colonization"

In the region [Middle East], I would also like to mention the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Everything happens as if a yoke of lead has been cast on the views to carry out the international agenda of this major problem.(?) Belgium is in favour of the quick restarting of negotiations with a view to achieving a solution based on the co-existence of two states, with the State of Israel and the State of Palestine- independent, democratic, one taking(?) and viable, co-existing in peace and security. We also pronounce very clearly against the pursuit of colonization. (translated from French- SLH)

· Romania: "We support all the initiatives of the Quartet and the full implementation of the Road Map"

There has been limited progress in 2012 in the Middle East Peace Process. The expectations created by the September 23rd, 2011 Statement of the International Quartet for the Middle East remain unfulfilled, as long as the direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have not been resumed. Romania is a strong supporter of all efforts devoted to achieving a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We support all the initiatives of the Quartet and the full implementation of the Road Map ,,vision of two states - the Israeli and the Palestinian ones -living side by side in peace and security". We believe it is essential that each and every decision in the Peace Process is adopted through negotiations. Against this background we continue to consider as inappropriate any unilateral initiatives and actions which have a detrimental effect on the resumption of direct negotiations and represent obstacles in reaching the final objective of identifying a lasting solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict.

· Luxembourg: "(...) the objective is worth it, for the Israelis and the Palestinians and the entire region: an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security."

Luxembourg has consistently advocated a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This conflict has been going on for too long. It is essential that the parties start new direct negotiations and negotiate a sustainable peace, with the support of the Quartet. The path will be arduous, no doubt, but the objective is worth it, for the Israelis and the Palestinians and the entire region: an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security.

For many years, Luxembourg has been supporting the building of the Palestinian State, both on the political and economic levels, by supporting the aspirations of Palestine to assume its place among the nations of the world. We give financial support to the Palestinian Authority, helping its efforts to make public administration and basic social services work, and we are also a reliable contributor to the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In February 2012, we have concluded a multiannual partnership agreement with UNRWA. Under this agreement, Luxembourg will provide assistance in the amount of 15 million Euro to Palestine refugees in the years 2012-2015.

Oceania

· Australia: "Australia is resolutely committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state which is both independent and viable."

There must also be change in the Middle East process for peace.

Australia shares the frustration of the parties at the current impasse.

We understand the strong desire of the Palestinian people for national self-determination. Australia is resolutely committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state which is both independent and viable.

This is why we provide significant support to the foundations of a future Palestinian state and build its infrastructure and economy- more than $300m in aid from 2011 to 2016. We commend the genuine progress President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad have made in building the institutions and infrastructure for statehood.

And no one can doubt Australia's close and continuing friendship with Israel.

Our support for the right of Israel and its people to exist in security and peace is an historic commitment in Australian policy and it will endure.

We urge a return to direct negotiations - the only durable basis for achieving a two-state solution.

The present impasse must be overcome.

Both sides need to make compromises - and avoid provocations. It will take sacrifice on both sides to settle complex and difficult issues such as settlements, borders, security and Jerusalem.

The Israeli and Palestinian people deserve no less.

African Countries

· Swaziland: "the most viable solution is to have the two states of Israel and Palestine"

We also note that the Israeli and Palestine conflict remains unresolved. A peaceful settlement of this issue is deeply desired and urgently necessary. Our position is unambiguous; the most viable solution is to have the two states of Israel and Palestine co-existing side by side in peace and harmony.

· Gambia: "Israel, the occupying power, in defiance of international law, human decency and restraint is imposing a de facto situation on Palestinians through despicable settlement activity and land grabbing."

The Palestinian situation is deplorable. The situation has deteriorated to the point that a one-state solution may be inevitable. Israel, the occupying power, in defiance of international law, human decency and restraint is imposing a de facto situation on Palestinians through despicable settlement activity and land grabbing. The sad reality is that it is the mechanisms of the United Nations Security Council that are constantly invoked to further delay or stifle necessary action in bringing lasting peace to Palestine. The excesses of Israel of land - grabbing, settlement activity, mass imprisonment of Palestlnians, denial of revenue, maiming, murder of Palestinians by the state apparatus and many others ought to be halted. Truth is bitter when told, but it is what will set us all free.

· Ghana: "We wish to restate our support for an independent, prosperous, Palestinian state"

In keeping with this right of self-determination, we wish to restate our support for an independent, prosperous, Palestinian state, co-existing peacefully with free, stable Israeli state.

Asian Countries

· Iran: "what if instead the occupation of Palestine and imposition of a fake government..."

(...) and if instead of the occupation of Palestine and imposition of a fake government, displacement and genocide of millions of people around the globe, the truth behind these wars had been revealed based on justice.

Arab Countries

· Kuwait: "We demand from the international community represented by the Security Council to pressure Israel and subject it to the resolutions of international legitimacy"

The continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories represents a testament on the inability of the international community to come up with solutions that will put an end to the plight of the Palestinian people. The Israeli Government, in gross violation of international conventions and norms, continue to persist, in its method of intransigence and illegal policies, through the expansion in building settlements on occupied Palestinian territories, as well as in its blockade of the Gaza Strip. This does not serve the just and lasting peace we desire in the Middle East. Therefore, we demand from the international community represented by the Security Council to pressure Israel and subject it to the resolutions of international legitimacy, the principle of Land for Peace, the Roadmap, as well as the Arab Peace Initiative, which will guarantee the establishment of the Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem its capital, and the total Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories after 4 June 1967.

· Yemen: "We declare here our full support to the application of the State of Palestine to become a full membership state in the United Nations"

It has been more than six decades since the General Assembly, which I have the honor to address today, issued the universal declaration of human rights. It is deplorable that after all these decades; still many nations suffer violations to their rights and dignities. The Palestinian people are subject to gruesome escalation of Israeli violence. Israeli settlements are expanding, innocent Palestinians are maimed, activists are besieged, prisoners and detainees are oppressed and the attempts of the Israeli side to demolish Al Aqsa mosque are continuing. This requires a stronger role and a closer and more effective presence for the United Nations and its agencies against the Israeli arrogance and disobedience to international community resolutions and its refusal of all peaceful proposals and initiatives. The lack of international pressure on Israel represents a key failure in international justice standards. The role of United Nations and international forces in achieving justice and freedom requires exercising pressure to implement international resolutions. Did Israel forget that its state was created on the basis of an international resolution? We declare here our full support to the application of the State of Palestine to become a full membership state in the United Nations to affirm its legitimacy and to respect its recognized rights under the international law.

· Egypt: "I assure you of Egypt's full support to any course of action Palestine decides to follow in the United Nations."

The first issue which the world must exert all its efforts in resolving, on the basis of justice and dignity, is the Palestinian cause. Long decades have passed since the Palestinian People expressed their longing for restoring their full rights and for building their independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital. Despite their continued struggle, through all legitimate means to attain their rights, and despite the acceptance by their representatives of the resolutions adopted by the international community as a basis for resolving its problems, this international legitimacy remains unable until now to realize the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people. The resolutions remain far from being implemented.

Our brothers and sisters in Palestine must also taste the fruits of freedom and dignity. It is shameful that the free world accepts, regardless of the justifications provided, that a member of the international community continues to deny the rights of a nation that has been longing for decades for independence. It is also disgraceful that settlement activities continue on the territories of these people, along with along with the delay in implementing the decisions of international legitimacy.

Proceeding from the perspective of defending truth, freedom, and dignity and from my duty to support our Palestinian brothers and sisters, I place the international community face to face with its responsibilities which require the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace and the end of all forms of occupation of Arab lands, and the implementation of relevant international resolutions. I call for immediate and significant measures to put an end to colonization, settlement activities, and the alteration in the identity of Occupied Jerusalem.

The entire Palestinian leadership has charted a clear path towards the restoration of the rights of the Palestinian people, within and outside Palestine. The Arab world has given it its full support. The latter has also presented a comprehensive peace initiative based on just peace. One that restores the usurped rights of the Palestinian People, is founded on international legitimacy, and lays the foundation of an independent sovereign Palestinian state. One that also achieves the security and stability the peoples of the region have long been waiting for.

On that basis, I assure you of Egypt's full support to any course of action Palestine decides to follow in the United Nations. I call upon all of you, just as you have supported the revolutions of the Arab peoples, to lend your support to the Palestinians in their endeavors to regain the full and legitimate rights of a people struggling to gain its freedom and establish its independent state.

I say it loudly to those wondering about our position vis-a-vis the international agreements and conventions that we have previously adhered to: we are committed to what we have signed on. We also support the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and are determined to pursue all efforts side by side with them until they regain their rights.

http://english.pnn.ps/index.php/national/2769-references-to-palestine-in-the-un-general-debate-second-day