Second Committee Approves Resolution “Sovereignty of Palestinians over Their Natural Resources” – Press Release (GA/EF/3576) (Excerpts)

GA/EF/3576

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The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today approved two resolutions, voting on both, including one demanding that Israel cease the exploitation, damage, cause of loss or depletion and endangerment of the natural resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in the occupied Syrian Golan.

Further to that draft, on “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 General Assembly would also call upon Israel to halt all actions, including those perpetrated by Israeli settlers, that harm the environment, including the dumping of all kinds of waste materials, in the occupied areas and ceasing its destruction of vital infrastructure.

The Committee approved the draft by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Kiribati, Rwanda, South Sudan, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania).

Addressing that text, the representative of Israel stressed that his country is the only one singled out in the Committee — by not one but two resolutions.  Some delegations insist on steering the discussion to their narrow political agendas, he added, already discussed in more appropriate fora.  He cited the dishonesty of the language of the resolution and its waste of United Nations resources, condemning the “annual festival of enmity”.

Speaking after the vote, the representative of Syria stressed that his country’s citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan have lost the ability to use 6,000 hectares of arable land, threatening their livelihoods as well as their food security and access to water.  Underscoring that the Israeli occupation cannot change the internationally recognized truth that “this territory is Arab”, he urged the international community to force Israel to respect relevant resolutions.

The observer for the State of Palestine called on Member States that voted in favour to uphold their positions and address the human rights violations, apartheid policies and practices as well as war crimes being perpetrated by Israel.  She reiterated that the State of Palestine will not accept being “dehumanized and blamed for the injustice our people have been enduring for more than 55 years of foreign colonial occupation”.

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Action on Draft Resolutions

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The Committee next took up the draft resolution 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” (document A/C.2/77/L.14), approving it by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Kiribati, Rwanda, South Sudan, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania).

By its terms, the Assembly would demand that Israel, the occupying Power, cease the exploitation, damage, cause of loss or depletion and endangerment of the natural resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.

Further to the draft, it would recognize the right of the Palestinian people to claim restitution as a result of any exploitation, damage, loss or depletion or endangerment of their natural resources resulting from illegal measures taken by Israel, the occupying Power, and Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and express hope that this issue will be dealt with within the framework of the final status negotiations.

Also by the text, it would call upon Israel to halt all actions, including those perpetrated by Israeli settlers, harming the environment, including the dumping of all kinds of waste materials, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan and ceasing its destruction of vital infrastructure.

Introducing the resolution, the representative of Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77, said the protracted Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and Syrian Golan continues to deepen the serious economic hardships of those people, and illegally exploit their natural resources.  The draft resolution reaffirms the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.  She expressed concern over the destruction of lands and orchards, and called for full compliance with the International Court of Justice regarding the construction of walls and other illegal practices.

The representative of the Czech Republic, speaking on behalf of the European Union in explanation of position before the vote, noted that although her delegation supports the resolution, use of the term Palestine cannot be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine, without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States.

The representative of the United States stated that Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to enjoy safe and secure lives, in freedom, dignity and prosperity.  He expressed disappointment that this body had once again taken up this unbalanced resolution that is unfairly critical of Israel, demonstrating a clear and persistent institutional bias directed at one Member State.  One-sided resolutions such as the one just introduced only distract from efforts to advance peace, and his delegation would once again vote against it.

Speaking after the vote, the representative of Syria, welcoming the approval of the draft resolution, stressed that his country’s citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan have lost the ability to use 6,000 hectares of arable land, threatening their livelihoods as well as their food security and access to water.  Underscoring that the Israeli occupation cannot change the internationally recognized truth that “this territory is Arab”, he urged the international community to force Israel to respect relevant resolutions.

The observer for the State of Palestine, welcoming the approval, called on Member States that voted in favour to uphold their positions and address the human rights violations, apartheid policies and practices as well as war crimes being perpetrated by Israel.  She reiterated that the State of Palestine will not accept being “dehumanized and blamed for the injustice our people have been enduring for more than 55 years of foreign colonial occupation”.

The representative of Israel said his delegation called for the vote and voted against the text, rejecting the one-sided political narrative, the clearly biased report on which it is based and the false allegations made by several delegations.  Instead of supporting a shared vision, the main sponsors prefer to demonize Israel and divert the attention of the international community from their unwillingness to engage in genuine dialogue.  Israel is the only country singled out in the Committee — by not one but two resolutions.  Some delegations insist on steering the discussion to their narrow political agendas, already discussed in more appropriate fora.  He cited the dishonesty of the language of the resolution and its waste of United Nations resources, condemning the “annual festival of enmity”.

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For information media. Not an official record.


2022-11-11T11:38:43-05:00

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