International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – AU message/Non-UN document

STATEMENT
BY

H. E. TETE ANTONIO, PERMANENT OBSERVER OF THE
AFRICAN UNION
TO THE UNITED NATIONS

OBSERVANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH
THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

THURSDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2012

Mr. Chairman,

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Mr. Secretary-General Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the African Union Commission, allow me, at the outset, to express the Commission's deepest gratitude to you, Mr. Chairman for steering the work of this important Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the

Palestinian People for the promotion of the just cause of the people of Palestine.

Today marks another day in the history of our collective commemoration of The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Today, as usual, our statements will project a strong spirit of unity and solidarity for the Palestinian People but the true test of our unity remains the scrupulous implementation of Security Council Resolution 242(1967) as a basis for achieving and just, viable and lasting solution. The date of 29 November is meaningful to the Palestinian People. On this day, in 1947, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181 which partitioned the territory known as the Mandate for Palestine into two states; one Jewish and one Arab.

The African Union believes that the road to a lasting solution is not an event but a process and has spared no efforts to remain firm and consistent in its position taken at successive African Union Summits. Accordingly, at its Summit held in July last year, African leaders, amongst other aspects, reaffirmed its full support for the peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the principles of international law and all relevant United Nations resolutions to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian State to the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle while further reaffirming support to the Two-State solution as the only viable option for peaceful co-existence between the State of Palestine and Israel.

The African Union Assembly of Hdads of State in its decision EX.CL/Dec.652(XIX) also called upon Member States, especially those Members of the United Nations Security Council, to support the Palestinian efforts to obtain full membership to the UN for the State of Palestine based on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital and urged all Member States which have not yet done so to recognize the State of Palestine to do so as soon as possible.

African leaders also expressed concern over the continued suspension of contributions to UNESCO which constitutes unwarranted punishment to the Palestinian People, particularly innocent children and further called on those UN Member States concerned to rescind their decision and resume contributions for continuation of UNESCO programmes.

Mr. Chairman,

This afternoon, the General Assembly will consider the "Status of Palestine in the United Nations" On this specific issue, while lending their support, the African Leaders in their Declaration on Palestine adopted at the July Summit this year, underscored that the membership of the United Nations is a right to be enjoyed by all sovereign states and that the membership of the United Nations and all its programmes and agencies is part of the peace process.

As we speak, human suffering, violence and mistrust which have long dominated, continue to dominate Palestinian-Israeli relations. Our overwhelming show of solidarity today must translate into tangible results on the ground, in the region and, at the level of the United Nations.

The African Union remains committed and resolute in its solidarity with the People of Palestine towards the achievement of the Two State solution. The pivotal role of the United Nations Security Council, the General Assembly and this Committee cannot be overemphasized.

I thank you.