Remarks by Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly

30 November 2022

[As Delivered]

 

أَصْحَابُ اَلسَّعَادَةِ، اَلسَّيِّدَاتُ وَالسَّادَة

فِي عَامِ أَلْفٍ وَتِسْعمِائَةٍ وَسَبْعَةٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ (1947)، قَبَلَت اَلْجَمْعِيَّةُ اَلْعَامَّة مَسْؤُولِيَّةَ إِيجَادِ حَلٍّ عَادِلٍ لِلْقَضِيَّةِ اَلْفِلَسْطِينِيَّة.

وَبِاعْتِمَادَ اَلْقَرَارِ مِائَةَ وَوَاحِد وثَمَانِينَ (181)، تمَّ التوصّل لإنشاء دَوْلَتَيْنِ تَعِيشَانِ بأمنٍ وسلام، جَنْبًا إِلَى جَنْب.

فَمُنذُ ذَلِكَ الوَقت وحتى الآن، لم نَتَوَصّل للحل الدّائم والشامل، لَا تَزَالُ هذه المَسْأَلَةُ عَالِقَةٌ عَلَى جَدْوَلِ أَعْمَالِ اَلْجَمْعِيَّةِ العامة، وَفِي أَذْهَانِ اَلْفِلَسْطِينِيِّينَ اَلَّذِينَ يَنْتَظِرُونَ تَحْقِيقُ حُلْمِهِمْ فِي إِقَامَةِ دَوْلَةٍ مُسْتَقِلَّةٍ ذَاتَ سِيَادَة.

 

(Arabic translation: Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In 1947, the General Assembly accepted responsibility for finding a just solution to the question of Palestine.

With the adoption of Resolution 181, it decided on the establishment of two States, living side by side in peace and security.

Today, the question of a lasting and comprehensive solution still lingers on the Assembly’s agenda – and on the minds of countless Palestinians, who are waiting to see their dreams of a sovereign, independent state fulfilled.)

 

With each passing day, their fate only grows more uncertain.

In 1950, when UNRWA began its operations, it was responding to the needs of 750 thousand people.

Today, there are nearly 6 million Palestine refugees registered under its mandate.

I strongly commend UNRWA for providing vitally important assistance for the past 72 years to Palestinians in desperate need.

Yet, the success of UNRWA is also a reminder that we, the international community, have come up short on finding a more sustainable solution.

That we have unfinished business to help resolve the conflict – and meet the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Excellencies, dear friends,

Во время недели высокого уровня в этом году, я внимательно следил за положительными посылами от лидеров участвующих сторон. Их заявления о том, что переговоры, на основе принципа двух государств, остаётся лучшим способом обеспечения безопасности как для израильтян, так и для палестинцев, а также для процветания всего региона, вселили надежду.

(Russian translation: During this year’s High-Level Week, I paid close attention to the positive messages from leaders of the parties involved.

I was encouraged by their statements indicating that a negotiated two-state solution remains the best method to ensure security for both Israelis and Palestinians – and prosperity for the whole of the region.)

The only reasonable way forward is through direct dialogue, talks in good faith, respect for UN resolutions, and building on previous agreements.

Cela fait un siècle que ce conflit place un poids faramineux sur les deux partis.

Cela fait quatre générations qu’il cause une souffrance immense pour Arabes et Juifs, pour Palestiniens et Israéliens.

(French translation: For a century, this conflict has been putting an enormous burden on both sides.

For four generations’ time, it has caused immense hardship for Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis.)

Countless innocent people on both sides have lost their lives to bullets and explosives, bombs and missiles.

We know from experience that nothing drives violence more than despair.

We have to break the vicious circles of hatred and violence.

For, as said by Mahatma Gandhi, “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”

Let us give young people a reason for hope.

We simply must help to shift the dynamics from disagreement to engagement.

أوّدُ أن أحّثُ اَلدُّوَل اَلْأَعْضَاء عَلَى خَلقِ ظُروفٍ مُوائِمَةٍ من شأنها أن تُعيدُ مَسَارِ حَلَّ اَلدَّوْلَتَيْنِ.

كما أوّدُ أن أُنَاشِدُ جَمِيعَ اَلْأَطْرَافِ للعَمَلِ والسَّعْي نَحوَ الوصول إِلَى حُلُولٍ تَفَاوُضِيَّةٍ تَسْتَنِدُ إِلَى مِيثَاقِ اَلْأُمَمِ اَلْمُتَّحِدَةِ، ومَبادِئ الْقَانُونِ اَلدَّوْلِيِّ، واحتِرامِ حُقُوقِ اَلْإِنْسَانِ .

(Arabic translation: I urge Member States to create the ground for restoring a path towards a two-state solution.

I appeal to all sides to seek negotiated outcomes that are based on the UN Charter, international law and respect for human rights.)

At stake is not only peace in the region, but also global confidence that the United Nations has what it takes to meet this challenge.

Now, in the absence of a genuine political horizon, we can all agree that the work of UNRWA is essential.

Yet, Excellencies, this Agency, the mandate of which you renew year in and year out, continues to face a huge funding gap.

Мы все обязаны действовать к тому, чтобы палестинские стремления к государственности были достигнуты, безопасность Израиля гарантировано и помощь БАПОР больше не было необходимым.

(Russian translation: All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when Palestinian aspirations for statehood are met, Israel’s security is guaranteed, and UNRWA’s assistance is no longer needed.)

It is inspiring to know that the Middle East has tremendous human and economic resources – and that there are historic and current precedents for cooperation.

According to Nelson Mandela, “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”

The recent agreement on a permanent maritime boundary between Israel and Lebanon is a symbolic achievement that proves that good faith negotiations are a way to success.

Excellencies, dear colleagues,

“It always seems impossible until it is done”, as the saying goes.

Let us move beyond the default of distrust.

Let us ask the hard questions.

Let us focus on the common good.

Let us finally resolve this conflict.

I thank you.