ECOSOC Adopts Adopts Draft Resolutions “Situation of and Assistance to Palestinian Women” and “Economic and Social Repercussions of the Israeli Occupation” – Press Release (ECOSOC/7103) (Excerpts)

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Economic/Social Repercussions of Israeli Occupation on Palestinian People

TARIK ALAMI, Director of the Emerging and Conflict Related Issues Division of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), speaking via video-teleconference, presented the Secretary-General’s report on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/77/90–E/2022/66).  He said Israel’s protracted occupation has had a severe impact on Palestinians and their human rights, and has escalated its use of force, including resulting in deaths and the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza in May 2021.

The Israeli Government has also failed to protect Palestinians from settler violence in the West Bank, and its policies in East Jerusalem have forced people to leave their homes, in what amounts to forced transfer, he said.  Those and other policies and actions amount to the collective punishment of 2.1 million Palestinians, with Gaza’s gross domestic product (GDP) being 52 per cent lower than in 2005.  Israel’s annexation of the Syrian Golan is a violation of international law, he stressed, with the overall situation worsening during the reporting period.

The United States’ delegate expressed concern over the ongoing pronounced anti-Israel bias in the United Nations and the unbalanced report itself.  Her delegation remains committed to a two-State solution, but such reports are counterproductive, doing nothing to help the situation on the ground.  He delegation would thus vote no on draft resolution E/2022/L.16.

The speaker for Syria said Israel, per the report, continues to enact policies that counter relevant Security Council resolutions, including increasing the number of settlers in the occupied Syrian Golan.  He denounced the confiscation of land and resources there, the planting of landmines and seizure of land for military purposes.

The observer for the State of Palestine said millions of people in Palestine including in East Jerusalem are denied their rights by an enduring occupation that has no place in the twenty-first century.  The longest foreign occupation in modern history demands that the issue be addressed every year in the Council forum, including a suffocating 15-year blockade on Gaza, which has been referred to as “the world’s largest open-air prison”.  She noted Palestinian women face many hardships and need solidarity in the resolution, citing the murder of a female journalist in broad daylight.

The representative of Pakistan then introduced the draft resolution titled “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan” (document E/2022/L.16).

By its terms, the Council would call for the full opening of the border crossings of the Gaza Strip, in line with Security Council resolution 1860 (2009), to ensure humanitarian access as well as the sustained and regular flow of persons and goods and the lifting of all movement restrictions imposed on the Palestinian people, including those arising from ongoing Israeli military operations and the multi-layered closure system, and for other urgent measures to be taken to alleviate the serious humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is dire in the Gaza Strip.

Further to the text, it would stress the need to preserve the territorial contiguity, unity and integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods throughout it, as well as to and from the outside world.

It would also stress the need to preserve and develop Palestinian national institutions and infrastructure for the provision of vital public services to the Palestinian civilian population and to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights, including economic and social rights.

Before the action, the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, said he would support the resolution, but the use of the term “Palestine” cannot be construed as a recognition of a State of Palestine.  That term refers to the Palestinian Authority.

The representative of Israel said the Palestinian leadership bears the blame for its people’s conditions to a rejectionist policy, citing the deeply flawed resolution and libellous ESCWA report.  The lack of elections for 17 years, suppression of human rights and support of terrorism were never mentioned in either the report nor the resolution.  “What a disgrace,” he stressed.  He noted the avoidance of any mention of Hamas, recommending that Member States consult the Hamas charter, which will fill the reader with horror, and condemned the “pay for slay” policy, calling for a constructive way forward in the style of the Abraham Accords.  He urged Member States to vote against the draft.

The draft resolution was then adopted by a recorded vote of 43 favour to 4 against (Canada, Israel, Liberia, United States) with 4 abstentions (Côte d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Solomon Islands, United Kingdom).

The representative of Canada said the resolution lacks balance.  It is “incomprehensible” that all responsibility for the current plight of Palestinians is the responsibility of only one State, Israel.  “I cannot think of any dispute in which the United Nations would be involved where it would reach a similar conclusion,” he said.  The first principle of arriving at a peaceful settlement to a dispute is to listen.  There will be multiple explanations and views.  Israel’s questions must be answered.  Explaining that Canada does not support continued settlement‑building, which impedes a viable two-State solution, he said it is important to the work of the United Nations that “we do this in a way that respects the truth and the facts”.  No State, individual or organization is above the law.  Nor can they behave in such a way to think they are beyond scrutiny, criticism or impunity.  That is a fundamental principle of the United Nations.

He said this will be increasingly important if the United Nations is to advance resolution of a conflict that has been at the forefront since 1945.  These debates have been ongoing since the Organization’s founding and the admission of Israel into the family of nations in 1948.  It is critically important in all matters that the Council does not reach the simple conclusion that one State is solely responsible for the situation in which the region finds itself.  “That defies credibility,” he said, calling for a different approach and pointing out that many countries in region are doing likewise.

The representative of Mexico said his delegation voted in favour of the resolution, as the theme is “of great relevance”.  However, submitting drafts without holding open and transparent consultations sets a dangerous precedent.  Noting that the consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories must be addressed, he called for comprehensively analysing all data and evidence available — from all sources — to make recommendations that are relevant, timely and respectful of the Council’s mandate.  All texts should go through a process of equitable consultation, he said, pointing to legal equality among all States.  He called for a process that meets these criteria.

The representative of New Zealand supported the text as it is consistent with its long-standing policy on Israeli-Palestinian issues, he said, noting that his delegation shares the concerns about conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

An observer for the State of Palestine said the text reflects undeniable facts.  She welcomed the solidarity conveyed today and urged serious efforts to uphold accountability for all human rights violations and war crimes being committed against Palestinians, in contempt of the United Nations and the international community as a whole.  Not once today did Israel’s delegate refer to the occupation by his country, perpetuated for 55 years and compelling Palestinians to turn to the United Nations.  Palestinians will not be blamed for an injustice that they have endured for decades, since the 1947 partition of historic Palestine, she said.

The Council then turned to a draft resolution titled “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women” (document E/2022/L.18).

The representative of Pakistan introduced the text on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, noting that it addresses the challenges facing Palestinian women and urges continued international support, notably for their protection.  It addresses Palestinian women’s engagement in the political and social sphere, reaffirms that Israel’s occupation is the obstacle to fulfilling their rights and calls on Israel to cease all measures contravening international law.  It also calls on parties to comply with their obligations, including as States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and reaffirms increasing the role of women in peacebuilding and decision-making.

A recorded vote was requested on “L.18”

The representative of Israel described the text as “unbalanced and politically motivated”, stressing that it uses the United Nations to promote a destructive political agenda, rather than take a constructive approach to the future.  It does not do anything to help Palestinian women claim their rights.  The Secretary-General’s report on the situation outlines evidence of gender-based discrimination in Palestinian society, marked by a lack of access to justice and education.  None of these issues are mentioned in the resolution.  Rather, the text focuses only on Israel.

A male-dominated culture limits the participation of women and girls in the public sphere, she said, describing the labour market disparity as “enormous” and pointing out that 1 in every 7 Palestinian girls is forced to marry by age 17.  In Gaza, women and girls are ruled by a repressive terrorist group, Hamas.  Yet, Palestinians prefer to condemn Israel rather than Hamas.  Moreover, the resolution is the only one on the status of women which is not global in scope.  Supporting it means sending a difficult message that some women and girls do not deserve the attention that others receive.  She asked the Council to consider whether its adoption would help Palestinian women achieve more safety, dignity or equality.  It avoids talking about the real changes needed within Palestinian society and culture.  She called for a vote on the text, noting that Israel will vote against it.

The Council then adopted resolution “L.18” by a vote of 40 in favour, to 6 against (Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Liberia, United Kingdom, United States), with 4 abstentions (Austria, Croatia, Guatemala, Solomon Islands).

The representative of United Kingdom said his delegation could not accept the singling out of Israel in the only geographically specific resolution on the situation of women.

The representative of Mexico, expressing solidarity with Palestinian women, said he voted in favour of the text.  However, the text does not recognize women in their diversity, limiting the public policies that could result.  Nor does it consider the actions of players working for gender equality on the ground, or address the negative social norms or the lack of access to sexual and reproductive health.  The opportunity for open, transparent and inclusive negotiations would allow for information from other Governments and allow for taking decisions on the basis of evidence and data.  Palestinian women do merit the agreements that have brought about gender equality around the world and the sponsors should conduct a process that meets these requirements.

The representative Canada said that, while his delegation voted against the resolution, his country has an active mission in Ramallah and a positive relationship with many non-governmental organizations and the Palestinian Authority.  Canada is not simply expressing solidarity in verbal terms.  “We follow it with financial contributions,” he said.  However, Canada cannot support the text as it sounds as if only one country, Israel, is responsible for discrimination against Palestinian women.  Expressing Canada’s firm commitment to advancing the rights of the Palestinian people, notably through non-governmental organizations working with Palestinian women, he expressed regret not to have a similar relationship with Hamas in Gaza, as it does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, unlike the Palestinian Authority.  Its charter is also deeply offensive to Israel’s right to live in security.  “No one is above the law,” he said.

The representative of New Zealand expressed support for the resolution as it is consistent with its policy on Israeli-Palestinian issues.  His delegation shares the concerns about conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he said, adding that New Zealand’s support is without prejudice to its long-standing policy on recognition.

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For information media. Not an official record.