Assistance to the Palestinian people – GA debate, vote – Press release (excerpts)

Plenary

74^th Meeting (AM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY STRONGLY CONDEMNS ALL THREATS AND ACTS OF VIOLENCE

AGAINST UNITED NATIONS, ASSOCIATED HUMANITARIAN PERSONNEL

/…

Background

The General Assembly met this morning to take action on a number of outstanding draft resolutions on matters related to the culture of peace, and on strengthening the coordination of United Nations humanitarian and disaster relief operations, including special economic assistance.  It was also expected to consider a draft resolution recommended for action by the Economic and Social Council, as well as another text recommended by its Second Committee (Economic and Financial).

/…

A draft resolution on The safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel (document A/62/L.38) would have the Assembly express its “deep concern” at the dangers and security risks faced by United Nations and associated humanitarian workers in the field, operating in increasingly complex situations, as well as the continuous erosion, in many cases, of respect for the principles and rules of international law.  It would urge all parties to armed conflict, in compliance with international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Conventions, to ensure the protection of such personnel.  Further, the Assembly would “strongly condemn” all threats and acts of violence against United Nations and associated humanitarian personnel, and reaffirm the need to hold accountable those responsible for such acts.  It would strongly urge all States to take stronger action to ensure that any such acts committed on their territory are investigated fully, and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance with national law and obligations under international law.  The Assembly would also urge States to end impunity for such acts.

The Assembly would further call on all Governments and parties in complex humanitarian emergencies, “to cooperate fully with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, and to ensure the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel and delivery of supplies and equipment, in order to allow those personnel to efficiently perform their task of assisting the affected civilian population”.  The text would also have the Assembly call on all other parties involved in armed conflicts to refrain from abducting United Nations and associated humanitarian personnel, or detaining them in violation of the relevant conventions and applicable international humanitarian law, and speedily to release, without harm or requirement of concession, any abductees or detainees.  The Assembly would welcome ongoing efforts to promote and enhance the security consciousness within the organizational culture of the United Nations system, and request the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures in this regard.

/…

By a draft resolution on Assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/62/L.36), the Assembly would urge Member States, United Nations international financial institutions and intergovernmental organizations to extend economic and social assistance to Palestinians, in close cooperation with the Palestine Liberation Organization, and through official Palestinian institutions.  The Assembly would welcome the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, held in New York on 24 September 2007, and the perspective of the Paris Donors’ Conference on 17 December 2007, encouraging donors to increase their direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority.  The Assembly would call on United Nations organizations to intensify their assistance, urge Member States to open their markets to exports of Palestinian products on the most favourable terms, and stress the importance of ensuring the free passage of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and free movement of persons and goods.  Further, it would stress the need for continued implementation of the Paris Protocol on Economic Relations of 29 April 1994.

/…

Introduction of Draft Resolutions and Action on Drafts

/…

The representative of Portugal, on behalf of the European Union, …

/…

He also introduced a draft resolution on assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/62/L.36), recalling that today, international donors were holding a conference in Paris, which represented an essential building block for the political process launched at Annapolis on 27 November.  It also constituted a unique opportunity for the international community to back its commitment to assist in the economic and financial development of a future viable and prosperous Palestinian State.

/…

Under agenda item 71, the Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution on strengthening the United Nations’ emergency humanitarian assistance (document A/62/L.30), as orally revised.  It then adopted by consensus the following resolutions on humanitarian assistance and assistance to the Palestinian People: document A/62/L.34, document A/62/L.36, document A/62/L.37 and document A/62/L.38.  Under agenda item 72, the Assembly adopted the resolution on Rwanda (document A/62/L.26 Rev.1).

Explanation of Position after Action

Speaking after adoption of the text on assistance to the Palestinian people, the representative of Israel said his Government had long supported such assistance, although in the past, due to realties on the ground, it had been compelled to abstain from the Assembly’s decision.  This year, as the current Palestinian leadership met the standards of the international community, Israel was glad to join consensus.  At the same time, Israel’s support of the text should not be misunderstood as an unconditional endorsement of all its elements.  Rather, it was support for the overall concept of “assistance to the Palestinian people”.

In fact, there were many aspects – omissions, in particular – that Israel found problematic.  He said that the resolution’s failure to mention Hamas, whose violent takeover of the Gaza Strip was causing the humanitarian situation there, highlighted one of his delegation’s most grievous concerns.  “‘Assistance to the Palestinian people’, under the direction of the United Nations, cannot ignore Hamas’ terrorist rule of Gaza”, he said, adding that it was similarly regrettable that the resolution made only a passing reference to Annapolis.

Israel viewed the recent United States-sponsored meeting as a major and positive step forward.  That momentum should be reflected in the approach of the United Nations to the region.  “‘Assistance to the Palestinian people,’ under the direction of the United Nations, cannot ignore the push for peace and negotiations between the two parties,” he said.  Surely there was no monopoly on suffering.  In the Middle East conflict, Israelis and Palestinians had both suffered unjustly, and it was the obligation of all parties to respect each others’ rights and to adhere to the rule of law.  The security concerns of Israel, which was under daily siege from rocket barrages launched by Palestinian terrorists inside the Gaza Strip, could not be neglected.

He went on to say that Israel was also disappointed that the resolution failed to mention Corporal Gilad Shalit, now in his nineteenth month of captivity, held since June 2006 by terrorists in Gaza.  Israel, for its part, would continue to support the Palestinian Authority, the Government of Prime Minister Salam Fayad and President Abu Mazen, as it was a leadership that embraced the diplomatic Quartet’s three basic conditions:  recognition of Israel, an end to violence and terrorism, and abiding by previous decisions.  His delegation was hopeful that Israelis and Palestinians could work together to improve the security of both their peoples.

The representative of Portugal, on behalf of the European Union, in explanation of position after action on strengthening the coordination of United Nations humanitarian and disaster relief, reconfirmed his delegation’s commitment to fundamental principles underpinning the effective provision of humanitarian assistance.  At the same time, he would have liked to have seen further progress on important contemporary humanitarian issues raised in the Secretary-General’s reports, such as rapid access to victims and the need to further address sexual violence in humanitarian emergencies.  The Union looked forward to working with the Assembly to “strengthen our political messages and guidance” on such issues.

Reiterating his strong commitment to respect – and to ensure respect for – international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law, he expressed appreciation for the work undertaken by humanitarian actors.  As the world’s largest humanitarian donors, the Union was as committed as ever to responding to victims’ needs on the ground, through assistance and continued positive engagement with the humanitarian system, notably the United Nations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The representative of Liechtenstein said protecting United Nations personnel and ensuring the safety of humanitarian personnel was of the utmost importance to those suffering from humanitarian disasters.  In addition, it was imperative for the Organization that the safety of those working in the field was ensured, particularly in complex emergencies.  Stressing that it was vital for the resolution to recall that attacks against peacekeepers and humanitarian workers were war crimes, he expressed regret that operative paragraph 13 did not refer to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associate Personnel.  He highlighted the fact that 15 out of every 16 staff members had been recruited locally, and said his delegation joined other countries in stressing that local personnel were more vulnerable and their protection should be increased.

/…

The Observer for Palestine, speaking on agenda item 71(c), said international assistance was vital for continued Palestinian subsistence in the current critical period of socio-economic difficulties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.  Assistance provided over the years, through the United Nations and donors, had helped to alleviate Palestinian hardships through various crises.  It had been instrumental in helping the Palestinian Authority repair and reform, as well as develop its institutions and public sector capabilities.  She expressed her delegation’s gratitude to the resolution’s co-sponsors, particularly the European Union for its generosity, as displayed today at the Paris Donors’ Conference.

Palestine appreciated the “spirit of consensus” on the resolution, which sent an important message in the context of the Paris Conference, and in follow-up to the conference at Annapolis.  She hoped efforts would lead to increased assistance to the Palestinian people and leadership.

At same time, it must be made clear, she said, that while joining consensus, Israel should not be absolved of accountability for obstructing assistance to Palestinians, notably through its siege and closure of the Gaza Strip, destruction of infrastructure, and daily creation of “new reasons” that required even more assistance to Palestinians, including the ongoing construction of settlements and the wall, and restrictions on movement of peoples and goods in the West Bank.  Such actions further aggravated the humanitarian situation and undermined assistance efforts.

Israel had clear obligations under international law as the occupying Power, with which it should be compelled to comply.  The global community’s duty to ensure respect was clear.  Only by addressing such important issues could the international community turn the process of assistance from one of poverty alleviation and crisis management to one of genuine nation building, with a view to establishing a viable and contiguous Palestinian State.

While meeting Palestinians’ humanitarian food and medicine needs was primary, she called for attention to address high levels of unemployment and poverty.  Combined, such efforts could promote real economic recovery and development, including strong Government institutions and security for both peoples.  In closing, she reiterated her deepest gratitude to the international community and the United Nations for support over the years.

/…

* *** *

For information media • not an official record