Sovereignty over natural resources in the OPT/Introduction of resolution – Second Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

Second Committee

19^th Meeting (AM)

SECOND COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES TEXTS ON HUMANITARIAN AID FOR ETHIOPIA ;

REHABILITATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN ’S SEMIPALATINSK REGION

Delegates also Begin Considering Implementation

Of Conference on Human Settlements, Strengthening of UN-Habitat

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Introduction of Draft Resolution

MOHAMED ELFARNAWANY ( Egypt) introduced a draft resolution on permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources (document A/C.2/60/L.11).

The text drew attention to accepted international principles, United Nations resolutions, statutes of the International Court of Justice, and the relevant Geneva Conventions addressing the permanent sovereignty of peoples under occupation over their natural resources. 

It described Israel’s exploitation of the occupied Palestinian and Syrian Golan territories, expressing concern over the destruction of agricultural land, including the uprooting of vast numbers of fruit trees.  It also pointed to Israel’s confiscation of land and diversion of water resources, as well as the detrimental effect of building the separation wall.  The draft called on Israel to stop exploiting, damaging and causing loss or depletion of resources in the occupied Palestinian territories, and to cease its construction of the wall.

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For information media • not an official record