Introduction of draft resolution on economic and social repercussions of Israeli occupation – ECOSOC meeting – Press release (excerpts)

2010 Substantive Session

44^th & 45^th Meetings (AM & PM)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL FOCUSES ON SOCIAL ISSUES, HUMAN RIGHTS

Council Also Adopts Texts on Extending Social Protection Systems,

Promoting Tobacco Control, Strengthening Data Collection on Gender Violence

/…

Background

The Economic and Social Council met today to conclude its general segment.  It had before reports of its subsidiary bodies which addressed social and human rights questions.  The discussion was expected to touch on issues of social development, crime prevention, narcotic drugs, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the comprehensive implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, human rights, and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

/…

Action on Drafts

As the Council then resumed consideration of item 11, MOHAMED KHALIL (Egypt), introduced a draft resolution on Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Palestinian Territory (document E/2010/L.31).  Many changes introduced to the text adopted by the Council last year indicated the level of humanitarian hardship endured by Palestinians as a result of illegal Israeli policies and actions.  While the text was similar to Council resolution 2009/34, amendments had been made to preambular and operative paragraphs.  Three new paragraphs had also been added.

He went on to say that the text reaffirmed the inalienable rights of Palestinians and those in the occupied Syrian Golan.  It called for the lifting of restrictions on Palestinians, including the opening of the border crossings in the Gaza Strip, in order to ensure the sustained and regular movement of persons and goods.  It called for Israel’s compliance with all its legal obligations under international humanitarian law and stressed the need to preserve the territorial contiguity of Palestinian land.

Further by the text, the Council would reaffirm that expansion of Israeli settlements, including in and around East Jerusalem and in the occupied Syrian Golan, was illegal and hampered the achievement of peace, he said.  Israel’s construction of the wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, contravened international law.  Egypt looked forward to the resolution’s adoption by consensus.

/…

* *** *

For information media • not an official record