Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr Philemon Yang,
at the General Assembly Plenary Meeting on agenda item 35 “Question of Palestine”
and agenda item 34 “The situation in the Middle East”
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we reaffirm our collective commitment to the two-State solution as the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East.
A path that envisions Israelis and Palestinians coexisting peacefully, living in two sovereign, independent States, side by side, in peace, security and dignity.
After more than a year of war and suffering, the realization of this vision is more urgent than ever before.
Peace and security will never be achieved through force or occupation.
Only dialogue, mutual recognition, and a shared commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution on the basis of international law can bring about an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Indeed, 77 years after the General Assembly’s adoption of resolution 181, the vision of two States remains unfulfilled.
The continued denial of Palestinian statehood has only perpetuated cycles of violence and deepened despair.
The two-State solution offers more than a political framework; it represents a moral imperative.
It ensures the right of Palestinians to self-determination, while safeguarding Israel’s long-term security.
In this way, it offers both peoples the chance to live with equal rights and human dignity.
In this context, I welcome the recent announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
After more than a year of hostilities that have caused thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and the displacement of large populations on both sides of the Blue Line, this ceasefire represents a critical step towards de-escalation and a return to stability.
I commend the tireless efforts of those who brokered the ceasefire agreement.
I urge all parties to fully respect its terms and work towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
I also urge all parties to continue dialogue, follow the path of peace and bury the hatchet for once and for all.
For civilians in the Middle East deserve better.
Excellencies,
Just as the ceasefire in Lebanon inspires hope for a better future, we urgently need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.
Thousands of innocent civilians have lost their lives, millions have been displaced and civilian infrastructure lies in ruins.
It is urgent that we end this situation.
It is in our hands and it cannot be postponed any longer.
Equally important is the need for the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations to be granted full, immediate, safe and unhindered access to all those in need in order to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
It is a stain on our collective conscience to allow this human catastrophe to continue.
We should not cease until peace is achieved.
Only by pursuing dialogue over violence,
By committing to justice and international law, rather than insisting that “might makes right”, and
By practicing humanity, rather than retribution, can we achieve lasting peace and security for everyone in the Middle East.
In fact, this Assembly has mandated the convening of an international conference for the implementation of the United Nations resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine and the two-State solution for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
It is a crucial opportunity, one that cannot be missed, to finally achieve real and irreversible progress.
I thank you.
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