Illegal Israeli actions in OPT/Attacks on holy sites – NAM statement, Letter from Egypt

Letter dated 29 September 2009 from the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations addressed

to the Secretary-General

  I have the honour, in my capacity as Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, to enclose herewith the statement issued by the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, following the attacks by the Israeli settlers and the Israeli occupying forces at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound (see annex).

  I kindly request that the present letter and its annex be circulated as a document of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 5.

(Signed) Maged Abdelaziz

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

    Annex to the letter dated 29 September 2009 from the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

    Statement by the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement on the Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem *

  The Members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) express their serious concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as a result of continuing illegal actions by Israel, the occupying Power. In particular, NAM expresses grave concern about the ongoing illegal Israeli settlement colonization campaign being carried out in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with shocking intensity in and around Occupied East Jerusalem, and the inhumane, unlawful Israeli blockade that continues to be imposed on the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip and the resultant dire humanitarian crisis.

  NAM expresses alarm at recent attacks carried out by the occupying forces, including extremist settlers, against Palestinian worshippers at Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound in Occupied East Jerusalem. NAM condemns Israel’s continuing provocations, aggression and illegal actions against the City’s holy sites and against its Palestinian inhabitants.   NAM reiterates its condemnation of all illegal Israeli actions and provocative measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, geographic nature, character and status of Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. NAM expresses grave concern that, in defiance of the clear international consensus rejecting such colonization activities and in flagrant breach of international law, Israel continues to construct settlements and the Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in and around East Jerusalem, where the occupying Power also continues, inter alia, to demolish Palestinian homes, to evict Palestinian families from their homes, to confiscate Palestinian land and properties and to carry out excavations in the City, including in the vicinity of Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound.

  NAM reiterates its demand for the immediate cessation of all Israeli violations of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, including an end to its illegal blockade on the Gaza Strip and all settlement activities, which are deepening the suffering of the Palestinian people and undermining the prospects for peace. NAM calls upon the international community, particularly the Security Council, to uphold its responsibilities and to take the necessary action to compel Israel, the occupying Power, to comply with all of its legal obligations, including under the Fourth Geneva Convention, and with its commitments under the Quartet Road Map.

  NAM calls for a redoubling of efforts aimed at the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Road Map. In this regard, NAM reaffirms its unwavering support for the realization by the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights, including their right to self-determination, with the establishment of their contiguous, viable and independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and a just solution for the plight of the Palestine refugees on the basis of General Assembly resolution 194 (III).

New York, 29 September 2009

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*Also circulated under the symbol A/ES-10/463.

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