Permanent sovereignty over natural resources in the OPT, Golan – Second Committee approves draft resolution – Press release (excerpts)

Second Committee

30^th Meeting (AM)

SECOND COMMITTEE APPROVES TEXT DEMANDING END TO ISRAEL'S EXPLOITATION

OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN OCCUPIED ARAB LANDS

Members Also Pass Three Draft Resolutions

On Globalization, Countries in Special Situations, Sustainable Development

The General Assembly would demand that Israel stop exploiting, damaging, depleting and endangering the natural resources in occupied Arab lands, by the terms of one of four draft resolutions approved today by the Second Committee (Economic and Financial).

It took that action by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 5 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 7 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Papua New Guinea).

By other terms of the text — titled “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources” — the Assembly would recognize the right of the Palestinian and other Arab peoples to claim restitution for such illegal actions.  It would also call upon Israel to cease all actions that harmed the environment in all the territories under its occupation, as well as the destruction of infrastructure, including water pipelines and sewage networks.

Israel’s representative, expressing disappointment that the Committee had again chosen to squander its valuable time on a “sideshow” whose sole mission was to disparage her country, said Israelis and Palestinians shared the same environmental challenges, which would only be resolved by working together rather than against each other.  Israel continued to cooperate extensively with the Palestinian Authority on environmental issues, she added.

The biased draft resolution did nothing to advance the interest of the Palestinians, she continued.  Like its predecessors, it would end up “collecting dust on a shelf”, without bringing any change whatsoever for people in the region.  If its supporters genuinely cared about the welfare of the Palestinian people and peace in the region, they would encourage cooperation and not antagonism, she emphasized.  The text had no place in a United Nations forum, and everyone present who genuinely sought a solution to the region’s problems should devote their energies to constructive action instead of “useless rituals”.

The observer for Palestine said the text reaffirmed the Palestinian right to sovereignty over their natural resources, which was essential on the path to growth and development.  The draft resolution once again reminded the occupying Power of the international community’s rejection of its occupation of Palestinian territory, he noted.  It also called upon Israel to cease violations of international conventions and laws and to stop stealing land and water, and destroying plantations and the environment.

Everything that Israel’s representative had said about cooperation was “a mirage”, he continued, pointing out that Palestine was currently suffering a “barbaric attack” by the Israeli military that had already accounted for more than 150 deaths, including over 40 children.  Although Israel presented initiatives designed to suggest that it was a civilized country, committed to finding solutions to the world’s social, economic and environmental problems, it was actually an occupier and a violator of international norms, he said.

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Background

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this morning to take action on draft resolutions relating to the following agenda items:  sustainable development; globalization and interdependence; specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries:  outcomes of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Countries and Donor Countries and international Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation; and permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources.

Introduction of Draft Resolutions

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As the Committee took up the draft on the permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian and other Arab populations in occupied lands over their natural resources (document A/C.2/67/L.33), the representative of the Republic of Korea pointed out that his delegation was not a co-sponsor.

The Committee Chair apologized, saying he had meant to refer to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Speaking in explanation of position, the representative of Israel expressed disappointment that the Committee continued to waste time on the “sideshow” of discussing the draft.  Israelis and Palestinians shared the same environmental challenges, which would only be solved through working together, not against each other, she said, noting that her country continued to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority on environmental issues.

The observer for Palestine, making a general statement, stressed that the text reaffirmed the Palestinian right to sovereignty over their natural resources, which were its path to growth and development.  She once again reminded Israel, the occupying Power, of the international community’s position, which rejected the occupation of Palestinian territory.  It called upon Israel to cease violations of international conventions and laws and to stop stealing land, water and destroying plantations and the environment.  Everything the Israeli delegate had said about cooperation was “a mirage”, and in fact, Palestine was currently suffering a “barbaric attack” by the Israeli military that had already accounted for more than 150 lives, including over 40 children.  While Israel presented initiatives designed to suggest that it was a civilized country, committed to finding solutions to the world’s social, economic and environmental problems, it was actually an occupier and a violator of international norms, he said.

Right of Reply

The representative of Israel, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said she would not trade insults or claims.  Israel had disengaged from Gaza in 2005 and had given it the opportunity to develop.  Its current actions had one objective:  to target Hamas, who was paralysing the Israeli population with constant rocket attacks.  No nation would allow such attacks on its citizens, she emphasized, pointing out that a bomb attack had just taken place in Tel Aviv.

The observer for Palestine, also speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said the Israeli delegate continued to submit misinformation to the Committee.  Gaza remained under blockade since the “so-called withdrawal by Israel from the Gaza strip”.  The enclave remained effectively occupied, and Israel’s right to self-defence did not allow the massacres of children, he said, pointing out that the attacks had come just before the beginning of Israel’s election campaign.

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For information media • not an official record