Economic & social repercussion of the Israeli occupation – ECOSOC report (Part II)

Report of the Economic and Social Council for 2003^*

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 *   The present report is a preliminary version of those sections of the report of the Economic and Social Council relating to the organizational and resumed organizational sessions for 2003 and the substantive session of 2003. The section relating to the resumed substantive session will be issued as an addendum to the present report. The entire report will be issued in final form as Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 3 (A/58/3/Rev.1).

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Chapter VII

   General segment

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 F.   Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan 

62.   The Council held a discussion on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan (agenda item 11) at its 41st and 48th meetings, on 18 and 24 July 2003 (for the discussion, see E/2003/SR.41 and 48). It had before it the note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report prepared by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan (A/58/75-E/2003/21).

63.   At the 41st meeting, on 18 July, the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia made an introductory statement (see E/2003/SR.41).

   Action taken by the Council

64.   Under agenda item 11, the Council adopted resolution 2003/59 and decision 2003/292.

    Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan 

65.   At its 41st meeting, on 18 July, the representative of Egypt, on behalf of Algeria,² Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,² Bangladesh,² Cuba, Egypt, Kuwait,² Lebanon,² Morocco,² Oman,² Pakistan, Qatar, Syrian Arab Republic,² Sudan, the United Arab Emirates² and Palestine² introduced a draft resolution entitled “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan” (E/2003/L.26). Subsequently, Jordan, Malaysia, Namibia and Yemen joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. The draft resolution read as follows:

   “The Economic and Social Council,

   “Recalling General Assembly resolution 57/269 of 20 December 2002,

   “Also recalling its resolution 2002/31 of 25 July 2002,

  “Guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations affirming the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, and recalling relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980 and 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981,

   “Reaffirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967,

   “Stressing the importance of the revival of the Middle East peace process on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973 and 425 (1978) of 19 March 1978, and the principle of land for peace as well as the compliance with the agreements reached between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people,

   “Reaffirming the principle of the permanent sovereignty of peoples under foreign occupation over their natural resources,

   “Convinced that the Israeli occupation impedes efforts to achieve sustainable development and a sound economic environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan,

    “Gravely concerned about the deterioration of economic and living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and of the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan and the exploitation by Israel, the occupying Power, of their natural resources,

    “Expressing grave concern over the continuation of the recent tragic and violent events since September 2000 that have led to many deaths and injuries and the continuous deterioration of the situation,

    “Aware of the important work being done by the United Nations and the specialized agencies in support of the economic and social development of the Palestinian people,

  “Conscious of the urgent need for the reconstruction and development of the economic and social infrastructure of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and for addressing the humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people,

    “1.  Stresses the need to preserve the territorial integrity of all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods in the Territory, including the removal of restrictions on going into and from East Jerusalem, and the freedom of movement to and from the outside world ;

   “2.  Also stresses the vital importance of the construction and operation of the seaport in Gaza and safe passage to the economic and social development of the Palestinian people;

   “3.   Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to end its occupation of Palestinian cities and other populated centres, to end all kinds of closures and to cease destruction of homes and economic facilities and agricultural fields;

   “4.  Reaffirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan to all their natural and economic resources, and calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, not to exploit, endanger or cause loss or depletion of these resources;

   “5.   Also reaffirms that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development;

   “6.  Stresses the importance of the work of the organizations and agencies of the United Nations and of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority;

    “7.  Urges Member States to encourage private foreign investment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, in infrastructure, job-creation projects and social development in order to alleviate the hardship of the Palestinian people and improve living conditions;

    “8.  Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session, through the Economic and Social Council, a report on the implementation of the present resolution and to continue to include, in the report of the United Nations Special Coordinator, an update on the living conditions of the Palestinian people, in collaboration with relevant United Nations agencies;

   “9.  Decides to include the item entitled ‘Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan’ in the agenda of its substantive session of 2004.”

66.   At its 48th meeting, on 24 July, the Council had before it an informal paper containing the text of the draft resolution as agreed upon at informal consultations.

67.   At the same meeting, the observer for Lebanon withdrew its sponsorship of the draft resolution.

68.   At the same meeting, following a statement by the representative of the United States, the representative of Egypt put forward a motion to take action immediately on the draft resolution.

69.   Also at its 48th meeting, the representatives of Pakistan and Cuba made statements in favour of the motion.

70.   At the same meeting, the representatives of the United States and Australia made statements against the motion.

71.   Also at its 48th meeting, the Council proceeded to a recorded vote, which was carried by a vote of 36 to 3, with 14 abstentions, to take action immediately on the draft resolution. The voting was as follows:

In favour:

Argentina, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bhutan, Burundi, China, Congo, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe. 

Against :

 Australia, Georgia, United States of America.

Abstaining:

  Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Guatemala, Jamaica, Japan, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Peru, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

72.   At its 48th meeting, the Council adopted the agreed text by a recorded vote of 48 to 2 with 3 abstentions. See Council resolution 2003/59. The voting was as follows:

In favour:

  Andorra, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Congo, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe.

Against:

 Georgia, United States of America.

Abstaining:

  Australia, Guatemala, Nicaragua.

73.   Before the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the representatives of the United States and Australia. After the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the representatives of Japan, Peru, the Russian Federation and China. A statement was made by the observer for Israel. The observer for Palestine also made a statement.

    Document considered by the Council in connection with item 11

74.   At its 48th meeting, on 25 July, on the proposal of the Vice-President of the Council, Marjatta Rasi (Finland), the Council took note of the report of the Secretary-General on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan (A/58/75-E/2003/21). See Council decision 2003/292.

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  I.   Social and human rights questions

182.   The Council held a discussion on social and human rights questions (under agenda item 14) at its 42nd, 44th, 45th to 49th meetings, on 21 to 25 July 2003 (for the discussion see E/2003/SR.42 and 44 to 49).

    Action taken by the Council

    Documents considered by the Council under agenda item 14

183.   At its 48th and 49th meetings, on 24 and 25 July, the Council took note of a number of documents submitted under item 14 and agenda items (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) and (h). See Council decision 2003/310.

 1.  Advancement of women

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    Action taken by the Council

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186.   Under agenda item 14 (a) the Council adopted resolutions 2003/42, 2003/43, 2003/44 and 2003/57 and decision 2003/237.

    Recommendations contained in the report of the Commission on the Status of Women

    Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women

187.   At its 44th meeting, on 22 July, the Council adopted draft resolution I recommended by the Commission,²³ entitled “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women” by a recorded vote of 42 to 2, with 4 abstentions. See Council resolution 2003/42. The voting was as follows:²⁴

In favour:

Andorra, Argentina, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Against:

  Georgia, United States of America.

Abstaining:

  Australia, Germany,²⁵ Nicaragua, Peru.

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188.   Before the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the representatives of the United States and Australia, as well as by the observer for Morocco (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China). After the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the observers for Morocco (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China) and Israel.

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 Notes

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 ²   In accordance with rule 72 of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Council.

  ²²   Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2003, Supplement No. 7 (E/2003/27).

 ²³  See ibid., chap. I, sect. A.

 ²⁴   The representatives of Ecuador and Kenya subsequently indicated that had their delegations been present, they would have voted in favour of the draft resolution.

 ²⁵   The representative of Germany subsequently indicated that its delegation’s vote should have been registered as being in favour of the draft resolution.

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