{"id":169314,"date":"2018-11-30T17:05:29","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T17:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=169314"},"modified":"2020-07-22T00:47:41","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T04:47:41","slug":"calling-for-final-peace-settlement-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict-ga-adopts-six-resolutions-on-middle-east-press-release","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/calling-for-final-peace-settlement-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict-ga-adopts-six-resolutions-on-middle-east-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling for Final Peace Settlement to Israeli Palestinian Conflict, GA Adopts Six Resolutions on Middle East – Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"

SEVENTY-THIRD SESSION,<\/span>\u00a043RD MEETING (AM)
\nGA\/12096
\n30 NOVEMBER 2018<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/p>\n

video<\/a><\/p>\n

The General Assembly today concluded its annual debate on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East by adopting six resolutions \u2014 including one calling for a final peace settlement to the Israeli\u2011Palestinian conflict \u2014 with some speakers warning against biased, one\u2011sided texts.<\/p>\n

Through the terms of the text titled \u201cPeaceful settlement of the question of Palestine\u201d (document A\/73\/L.32<\/a>) \u2014 adopted by a recorded vote of 156\u00a0in favour to 8\u00a0against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States) with 12 abstentions \u2014 the Assembly calls for intensified efforts by the parties, including through negotiations, to conclude a final peace settlement.\u00a0 It also calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply strictly with its obligations under international law and stresses the need for an immediate and complete cessation of all acts of violence.<\/p>\n

Adopting the resolution titled \u201cJerusalem\u201d (document A\/73\/L.29<\/a>) by a recorded vote of 148\u00a0in favour to 11\u00a0against with 14\u00a0abstentions, the Assembly reiterates that any actions by Israel to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem are illegal and therefore null and void.\u00a0 It also stresses the need for the parties to observe calm and restraint and to refrain from provocative actions and calls for respect for the historic status quo at Jerusalem\u2019s holy places.<\/p>\n

By the terms of a resolution titled \u201cThe Syrian Golan\u201d (document A\/73\/L.30), adopted by a recorded vote of 99\u00a0in favour to 10\u00a0against with 66\u00a0abstentions, the Assembly declares that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan is null and void and demands that Israel withdraw from the territory.<\/p>\n

The Assembly also adopted by recorded vote three resolutions dealing with the United Nations system\u2019s own provision of support to the Palestinian people.\u00a0 The first \u2014 titled \u201cCommittee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People\u201d (document A\/73\/L.31<\/a>) \u2014 requests the Committee to exert all efforts to promote the right to self\u2011determination of Palestinians and to support the achievement of an end to Israeli occupation.<\/p>\n

The second of those texts titled \u201cSpecial information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat\u201d (document A\/73\/L.33<\/a>) would have the Assembly request the Department disseminate information on all the activities of the United Nations system relating to the question of Palestine and peace efforts.\u00a0 Through the third such resolution, titled \u201cDivision for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat\u201d (document A\/73\/L.34<\/a>), the Assembly requests the Division to continue to monitor developments relevant to the question of Palestine.<\/p>\n

Taking the floor after adoption of the texts, the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine expressed gratitude to all countries that voted in favour of the resolutions, adding that such support is a sign of global consensus on how to solve the Palestinian question.\u00a0 \u201cThis will give us strength to seek a peaceful and lasting solution,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

The representative of Israel voiced her opposition to the six resolutions prior to their adoption.\u00a0 \u201cWe live in a time of many crises and it is a shame that the United Nations passes biased resolutions and devotes resources to bodies that denounce and attack Israel,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Warning that discussion on the matter have devolved into \u201cIsrael bashing\u201d, she said several United Nations entities provide platforms for people promoting agendas that directly target one Member State.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United States agreed that an unfair number of resolutions were targeted at Israel.\u00a0 \u201cThey are biased and drive parties apart,\u201d he said of the drafts prior to their adoption, adding that \u201cthe cause of peace will be served when the bias against Israel ends.\u201d\u00a0 As a result, the United States will introduce a stand-alone text to condemn Hamas.<\/p>\n

However, Egypt\u2019s representative, who introduced \u201cL.29\u201d and \u201cL.30\u201d, called on Member States to vote in favour of the drafts in a display of support for the rights of those living under occupation.\u00a0 \u201cSome States attempt to exploit conflict in the region to whitewash Israeli violations of human rights,\u201d he said, stressing that all people in the Middle East should be able to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms.\u00a0 (For details on the remaining draft resolutions, introduced on 29\u00a0November, see Press Release\u00a0GA\/12095<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

During the debate, Syria\u2019s representative said that the Assembly\u2019s resolutions are fully in line with the position expressed repeatedly by the Security Council, which rejects the unilateral decision by Israel to annex Palestinian Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan.\u00a0 \u201cIsrael continues to occupy a precious part of our land, and our people there continue to suffer because of this occupation,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Syria\u2019s rights to the Golan are non\u2011negotiable.\u00a0 \u201cWe are the legitimate owners,\u201d he said, stressing that Syria would not forfeit its right to its land.<\/p>\n

As was the case during the debate\u2019s first day, speakers stressed that the situation in Palestine continued to deteriorate as it entered its fifth decade under Israeli occupation.\u00a0 \u201cPalestinians have experienced nothing but oppression, displacement, misery and occupation,\u201d said the representative of Iran, adding that recent Israeli repression in Gaza resulted in 170\u00a0deaths and thousands of injuries.<\/p>\n

Qatar\u2019s representative was among speakers calling for increased humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians.\u00a0 She called for a redoubling of efforts to deliver aid and underscored the essential humanitarian work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA).\u00a0 \u201cQatar has increased its financial support to the relief organization,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Also speaking today were the representatives of Malaysia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco, Ecuador, Maldives, Japan, Russian Federation, Austria (on behalf of the European Union), Singapore and Brazil.<\/p>\n

Also delivering a statement was the Permanent Observer for the Sovereign Order of Malta.<\/p>\n

The Assembly will reconvene at 10\u00a0a.m. on Monday, 3\u00a0December, to take up its agenda item on sport for development and peace.\u00a0 It will also consider the investigation into the death of Dag Hammarskj\u00f6ld and the outcomes of United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields.<\/p>\n

The General Assembly began by concluding its discussion of the Question of Palestine, and the draft resolutions titled \u201cCommittee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People\u201d\u00a0(document A\/73\/L.31<\/a>); \u201cPeaceful settlement of the question of Palestine\u201d\u00a0(document A\/73\/L.32<\/a>); \u201cSpecial information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat\u201d\u00a0(document A\/73\/L.33<\/a>); and \u201cDivision for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat\u201d\u00a0(document A\/73\/L.34<\/a>).\u00a0 (For background, see Press Release\u00a0GA\/12095<\/a>\u00a0of 29\u00a0November\u00a02018).<\/p>\n

Question of Palestine<\/u><\/p>\n

M. SHAHRUL IKRAM YAAKOB\u00a0(Malaysia<\/u>) said that his delegation co\u2011sponsored draft resolutions \u201cL.31\u201d, \u201cL.32\u201d, \u201cL.33\u201d and \u201cL.34\u201d, noting Israel continues to violate international law.\u00a0 The adoption of the Jewish nation\u2011State law in July\u00a02018, the aggressive expansion of settlements and the relentless and disproportionate use of force against unarmed Palestinian civilians during the Great March of Return are recent examples of a long\u2011standing pattern of systematic abuse of the oppressed people of Palestine.\u00a0 Together with New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela, his country worked towards the adoption of Security Council resolution 2334<\/a>\u00a0(2016), which reaffirms that Israel\u2019s establishment of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.\u00a0 A two\u2011State solution is the only viable solution to this conflict.<\/p>\n

JAIME HERMIDA CASTILLO (Nicaragua<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, reaffirmed his country\u2019s support for the people of Palestine to exercise their right to self-determination.\u00a0 He paid tribute to Yasser Arafat and commended Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas\u2019s commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis.\u00a0 \u201cPeace and stability in the Middle East can be achieved through negotiation and full implementation of United Nations resolutions,\u201d he said, noting that relevant resolutions lay down the legal framework for regional peace and stability.\u00a0 He called on the international community to redouble efforts to pursue negotiations with the aim of establishing a sovereign and unapologetic Palestinian State.<\/p>\n

MANUEL DE JES\u00daS PIREZ P\u00c9REZ (Cuba<\/u>) said the two-State solution and a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the Palestinian question will not be possible as long as Israel continues to violate international law and the United Nations Charter.\u00a0 Condemning the illegal construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he also rejected the unilateral action of the United States establishing its diplomatic representation in Jerusalem.\u00a0 That action further exacerbates tensions in the region, he pointed out, also demanding Israel\u2019s total and unconditional withdrawal from the Syrian Golan and all occupied Arab territories.\u00a0 Any measure or action aimed at changing the legal, physical and demographic status as well as institutional structure of the occupied Syrian Golan violates international law and the Charter, he emphasized.\u00a0 Urging respect for multilateralism, he also called for the cessation of interference in internal affairs and the fabrication of pretexts and concepts to try to legitimize the unilateral use of force against sovereign States.<\/p>\n

ALYA AHMED SAIF AL-THANI (Qatar<\/u>) said the Question of Palestine is the oldest issue on the Assembly\u2019s agenda.\u00a0 The international community has repeatedly repudiated Israel\u2019s settlement activities, she recalled, expressing support for international efforts to settle the dispute.\u00a0 Upholding all the rights of the Palestinian people is essential to any peace solution.\u00a0 There is international solidarity with the Palestinian people, she noted, expressing concern about the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s unjust blockade has entered its eleventh year and continues unabated.\u00a0 She urged the international community to double its efforts to deliver aid to the Palestinian people, underscoring the essential humanitarian work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).\u00a0 Qatar has increased its financial support to the relief organization, she added.<\/p>\n

TAREQ MD ARIFUL ISLAM (Bangladesh<\/u>) supported the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and their long struggle for peace and justice.\u00a0 Bangladesh\u2019s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspiration for an independent State of Palestine, on the basis of the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, is derived from its constitutional obligation.\u00a0 He condemned the heinous attacks on the people of Palestine and denounced the illegal settlements and any other action by the occupying force that obstructs negotiations towards a viable two-State solution.\u00a0 Bangladesh also continues to insist on the lifting of the illegal Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has created a dire humanitarian situation.<\/p>\n

ABDALLAH Y. AL-MOUALLIMI (Saudi Arabia<\/u>) said that for 70\u00a0years Palestinians have lived under occupation that defies all moral norms.\u00a0 The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has led to violations of international laws.\u00a0 The international community supports the creation of an independent State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders.\u00a0 Israel, through its violations, demonstrates that it believes itself to be above the law.\u00a0 The blockade imposed on Gaza flouts all humanitarian values.\u00a0 Israeli legislation promotes discrimination, he said, also condemning efforts to exploit the legitimate rights of Palestinians.\u00a0 Israel is expanding settlements to sabotage a two-State solution.\u00a0 Saudi Arabia stresses the importance of a comprehensive, lasting peace in the Middle East and calls for an end to Israeli occupation of Arab lands.\u00a0 \u201cWe are stunned by Israeli attempts to undermine resolutions on the matter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

MOHAMMED BESSEDIK (Algeria<\/u>) condemned the abuses that detainees and prisoners, including children, suffer in detention centres.\u00a0 He also condemned the excessive use of force by the occupying Power and the application of the death penalty, as well as the Israeli institutions in which Palestinians have no representation.\u00a0 Gaza, with a population of nearly 2 million, has essentially become an open-air prison.\u00a0 The Israeli-imposed blockade for 11 years has led to economic collapse, soaring unemployment rates, polluted drinking water and deep despair.\u00a0 Despite numerous calls by the international community for the cessation of illegal policies and measures, the world still witnesses the persistence of the Israeli occupants\u2019 policy of settlements in the Palestinian lands and in the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan.<\/p>\n

FARHAD MAMDOUHI (Iran<\/u>) said that for 70\u00a0years the question of Palestine has remained one of the most complicated political issues in the world.\u00a0 \u201cPalestinians have experienced nothing but oppression, displacement, misery and occupation,\u201d he said, adding that recent Israeli repression in Gaza resulted in 170\u00a0deaths and thousands of injuries.\u00a0 Israel, as the occupying Power, ignores international law and defies United Nations resolutions.\u00a0 The occupation of Palestine is at the heart of protracted conflict in the Middle East.\u00a0 \u201cPeace in the Middle East cannot be achieved through blind support of Israeli occupation,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Israel flouts regimes that govern weapons of mass destruction, he said, and warned that its possession of nuclear weapons \u201cposes the most serious threat to security in the Middle East\u201d.\u00a0 He condemned the United States decision to relocate its embassy to Al-Quds and called for the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.\u00a0 Turning to the issue of the Golan, he said the territory is an integral part of Syria.<\/p>\n

MOHAMMED ATLASSI (Morocco<\/u>) said his country, as Chair of the Al-Quds Committee, is following with great concern Israel\u2019s actions aimed at imploding the legal status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.\u00a0 Israel continues to move ahead with its repeated attacks and settlement activities, which violate all relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly 2334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 Al-Quds Al-Sharif is a place of sanctity and therefore will always be at the heart of Morocco\u2019s interests.\u00a0 The question of Palestine is the nucleus of conflict in the Middle East, he said, stressing the importance of establishing a two-State solution, based on pre-1967 borders.\u00a0 Any unilateral measures pertaining to Jerusalem are illegal and in grave violation of international law and relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.\u00a0 He stressed the urgent need to find a solution for the Palestinian cause, which will take the \u201cwind out of the sails of terrorists\u201d who use the crisis to justify their illegal actions.\u00a0 Any change to the status quo of religious sites would only inflame violence and threaten any solution.\u00a0 He expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation faced by the Palestinian people, noting myriad humanitarian initiatives undertaken by Morocco.<\/p>\n

LUIS GALLEGOS CHIRIBOGA (Ecuador<\/u>) said that 29\u00a0November \u2014 the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People \u2014 is a day of frustration and sadness as human beings in Palestine are deprived of their rights.\u00a0 He called for an end to all violence and for a genuine return to negotiations.\u00a0 Warning that the living conditions for Palestinians continue to deteriorate, he voiced concern about rights violations faced by children.\u00a0 Ecuador was among the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine and therefore reiterates its commitment to relevant United Nations resolutions on the matter.\u00a0 \u201cAny attempt by the occupying Power to enforce administration over Palestine is null,\u201d he said, urging the international community to promote efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.\u00a0 \u201cPeace must be achieved swiftly,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

OSCAR R. DE ROJAS, Permanent Observer of the\u00a0Sovereign Order of Malta<\/u>, said that Jerusalem should not belong to a single nation, but rather to humanity.\u00a0 It is a city sacred to the world\u2019s three great monotheistic religions and has been a place of pilgrimage and inspiration for countless people.\u00a0 He expressed support for the draft resolutions, particularly the text titled \u201cJerusalem (document A\/73\/L.29<\/a>), for reaffirming the international community\u2019s legitimate interest in the question of Jerusalem and in the protection of its unique dimensions.\u00a0 He also welcomed efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the question of the city of Jerusalem as well as free and unhindered access to holy places by people of all religions and nationalities.<\/p>\n

The Situation in the Middle East<\/u><\/p>\n

TAREK FATHI MOHAMED MOHAMED TAYEL (Egypt<\/u>), introducing the draft resolutions titled \u201cJerusalem\u201d (document A\/73\/L.29<\/a>) and \u201cThe Syrian Golan\u201d (document A\/73\/L.30), said the Middle East has been shaken by instability because of Israeli occupation.\u00a0 \u201cSome States attempt to exploit conflict in the region to whitewash Israeli violations of human rights,\u201d he said, calling for all people in the region to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms.\u00a0 He said \u201cL.29\u201d stresses the importance of relevant United Nations resolutions on Jerusalem and declares all measures undertaken by Israel to impose administrative control over the city as \u201cnull and void\u201d.\u00a0 The draft also calls for respect for the historic status quo of the city, he said, noting that the draft calls for respect for the three monotheistic religions.<\/p>\n

Turning to \u201cL.30\u201d, he said the draft stresses that conflict in Syria must not overshadow Israeli occupation of the Golan.\u00a0 Israel is failing to comply with Security Council resolutions, he said, asserting that occupation of the Golan is illegal.\u00a0 People in the region are suffering from the consequences of war and aspire to attain peaceful coexistence.\u00a0 For this reason, parties must comply with United Nations resolutions.\u00a0 He called on Member States to vote in favour of the drafts in a display of support for the rights of those living under occupation.<\/p>\n

MOUNZER MOUNZER (Syria<\/u>) said that the General Assembly\u2019s resolutions are fully in line with the position expressed repeatedly by the Security Council, which rejects the unilateral decision by Israel to annex Palestinian Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan.\u00a0 Israel has run rampant in the region, refusing to abide by countless resolutions over the years.\u00a0 Refugees must be able to return to their home country.\u00a0 \u201cIsrael continues to occupy a precious part of our land, and our people there continue to suffer because of this occupation,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Israel tried to hold farce elections in the Golan in October which were \u201csteadfastly foiled by our people\u201d in the Syrian Golan, he said.\u00a0 Expressing deep concern about Israel\u2019s treatment of Syrians in the Golan as well as the Palestinian people, he called on the United Nations to demand the release of prisoners.\u00a0 Syria\u2019s rights to the Golan are non-negotiable.\u00a0 \u201cWe are the legitimate owners,\u201d he said, stressing that Syria would not forfeit its right to its land.\u00a0 Israel has yet to abide by Security Council resolution 497\u00a0(1981), he said, asking what the world is waiting for to put an end to Israel\u2019s occupation and aggression in Syria.<\/p>\n

FATHIMATH NUZUHA (Maldives<\/u>) said that bringing an end to Israel\u2019s illegal occupation of Palestine remains crucial for ending cycles of violence and conflict in the region.\u00a0 She called on Israel to fully implement relevant Security Council resolutions, respect its legal obligations under the Oslo Accords, and implement the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet Roadmap.\u00a0 Turning to Syria, she said the humanitarian situation there continues to worsen and expressed deep concern that an outbreak of another conflict in Syria\u2019s north-west Idlib province could result in the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the century.\u00a0 The international community must take more assertive steps to bring to a halt the tide of suffering in Syria.\u00a0 On Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant\u00a0(ISIL\/Da\u2019esh), she said its members inflict destruction indiscriminately, sparing no one.\u00a0 She also condemned any attempts to attribute terrorism to any one religion, culture or tradition.<\/p>\n

KORO BESSHO (Japan<\/u>) said the situation in the Middle East presents interlocking challenges that require sustained attention from the international community.\u00a0 In Yemen, over 14\u00a0million people are at risk of famine, while little progress has been made to improve the political and humanitarian situation in Syria.\u00a0 \u201cThe Israeli\u2011Palestinian conflict feeds into wider regional dynamics,\u201d he said, noting that lack of concrete progress hinders relations among regional players.\u00a0 That conflict can only be solved through direct negotiations, he asserted, also calling on the Assembly to help create an environment conducive to peace.\u00a0 He called on the international community to promote confidence\u2011building, to maintain strong support for a two\u2011State solution and to immediately alleviate the economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza.<\/p>\n

VLADIMIR K. SAFRONKOV (Russian Federation<\/u>) said that concerted international efforts are needed to address the complicated reality in the Middle East.\u00a0 The Russian Federation stands ready to do much to stabilize the situation by breaking new ground when it comes to counter\u2011terrorism and working to resolve the crises in Yemen, Syria and Iraq.\u00a0 The only way to fully tap into the Middle East\u2019s potential is by ensuring an end to interference in the domestic affairs of countries in the region.\u00a0 The Security Council is the main guarantor of international peace and security, he stressed, rejecting any attempts to negate previously established methods to resolve conflict, which undermines the United Nations and erodes international law.\u00a0 Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he expressed concern that destabilizing trends prevail and tensions persist.\u00a0 Any assistance to Gaza must be carried out in close coordination with relevant Palestinian authorities.\u00a0 A comprehensive, durable settlement to the Palestinian question could be achieved through negotiations aimed at a two\u2011State solution.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s settlements are illegitimate as are its policies that uproot Palestinians.\u00a0 The Russian Federation will continue to play a proactive role in the Council and the Middle East Quartet.\u00a0 UNRWA\u00a0is critical and must remain well\u2011funded and operating.<\/p>\n

Action on Draft Resolutions<\/u><\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Austria<\/u>, speaking on behalf of the European Union, put on record regarding all texts adopted by the Assembly that European Union member States see reference to a \u201cPalestinian Government\u201d to refer to the Palestinian Authority.\u00a0 Furthermore, the European Union has not expressed a legal qualification for the term of \u201cforced displacement\u201d used in certain drafts.\u00a0 He said the bloc remains concerned about acts of violence at holy sites and calls for respect of the historic status quo of religious sites in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Israel<\/u>\u00a0said that on 29\u00a0November 1947, the United Nations adopted a text creating independent Jewish and Arab States, living side\u2011by\u2011side.\u00a0 \u201cThe Arab world rejected the text and a coalition of Arab States sought to destroy Israel,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Year\u2011after\u2011year the date becomes an Israel\u2011bashing session.\u00a0 \u201cWe live in a time of many crises and it is a shame that the United Nations passes biased resolutions and devotes resources to bodies that denounce and attack Israel,\u201d she said.\u00a0 The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People spreads a one\u2011sided narrative against Israel.<\/p>\n

Certain United Nations entities provide a platform for people promoting agendas that directly target one Member State, she said.\u00a0 The special information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Public Information hosts seminars that promote anti\u2011Israel sentiment and does little to promote dialogue.\u00a0 Referencing discussions undertaken through the programme, she said calling the creation of Israel a \u201ccatastrophe\u201d is a denial of Israel\u2019s right to exist.\u00a0 The draft resolutions before the Assembly omit references to the proven historical connection between Christianity and Judaism to Jerusalem\u2019s Temple Mount.\u00a0 She said she would vote against the drafts and called on States to do the same.<\/p>\n

The representative of the\u00a0United States<\/u>\u00a0said that his delegation continues to oppose the unfair number of resolutions presented against Israel.\u00a0 These resolutions are quick to condemn Israeli actions but say nothing about the other side.\u00a0 For the first time, the United States is introducing a stand\u2011alone text to condemn Hamas.\u00a0 The United States will vote against these one\u2011sided resolutions, which damage United Nations credibility and impartiality.\u00a0 The United States has significant concerns about the \u201cL.31\u201d and \u201cL.34\u201d draft texts, which have budgetary implications that aim to consume resources that could be better used elsewhere.\u00a0 These two texts propagate assumptions and do nothing to bring the world closer to the goal of peace.\u00a0 They are biased and drive parties apart.\u00a0 Palestinians are the only ones to have a dedicated centre in the United Nations Secretariat, which means they never have to come to the negotiating table.\u00a0 The cause of peace will be served when the bias against Israel ends, he stressed.<\/p>\n

The Assembly then took up the draft resolution titled \u201cCommittee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People\u201d (document A\/73\/L.31<\/a>), adopting it by a recorded vote of 100\u00a0in favour to 12\u00a0against with 62\u00a0abstentions.<\/p>\n

By a recorded vote of 156\u00a0in favour to 8\u00a0against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States) with 12 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted the draft resolution titled \u201cPeaceful settlement of the question of Palestine\u201d (document A\/73\/L.32<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Next, the Assembly considered the draft resolution titled \u201cSpecial information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat\u201d (document A\/73\/L.33<\/a>), adopting it by a recorded vote of 152\u00a0in favour to 8\u00a0against (Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States) with 14\u00a0abstentions.<\/p>\n

The Assembly also adopted \u2014 by a recorded vote of 96\u00a0in favour to 13\u00a0against with 64\u00a0abstentions \u2014 the draft resolution titled \u201cDivision for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat\u201d (document A\/73\/L.34<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Assembly adopted the draft resolution titled \u201cJerusalem\u201d (document A\/73\/L.29<\/a>) by a recorded vote of 148\u00a0in favour to 11\u00a0against with 14\u00a0abstentions.<\/p>\n

It next took up the draft resolution titled \u201cThe Syrian Golan\u201d (document A\/73\/L.30), adopting it by a recorded vote of 99\u00a0in favour to 10\u00a0against with 66\u00a0abstentions.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Singapore<\/u>\u00a0said her country voted in favour of the text on the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People because it supports the two\u2011State solution.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Brazil<\/u>, speaking also on behalf of Argentina, said that it is important to vote in favour of the text on the Syrian Golan to denounce the use of force that undermines the territorial integrity of a State.\u00a0 Both countries believe that the Syrian Golan issue must be managed through a political process.\u00a0 He welcomed the resumption of negotiations based on relevant Security Council resolutions.<\/p>\n

The Permanent Observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>\u00a0expressed gratitude to all the countries that voted in favour of the resolutions, adding that such support is a sign of global consensus on how to solve the Palestinian question.\u00a0 \u201cThis will give us strength to seek a peaceful and lasting solution,\u201d he said.\u00a0 The stand\u2011alone resolution on the matter, which is scheduled to be presented next Thursday, raises the question of intent.\u00a0 Those who are advocating this initiative are not acting genuinely to open the door for peace.\u00a0 They are the ones who have violated Security Council resolutions by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.\u00a0 The last episode of their long\u2011standing punishment is the advancement of this stand\u2011alone resolution.\u00a0 He appealed to Member States to vote against the draft.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Syria<\/u>\u00a0thanked the Assembly for its renewed adoption of the text on the Syrian Golan.\u00a0 \u201cThe continued majority support of these resolutions is a rejection of occupation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SEVENTY-THIRD SESSION,\u00a043RD MEETING (AM) GA\/12096 30 NOVEMBER 2018 fran\u00e7ais video The General Assembly today concluded its annual debate on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East by adopting six resolutions \u2014 including one calling for a final peace settlement to the Israeli\u2011Palestinian conflict \u2014 with some speakers warning against biased, one\u2011sided […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[660,681,5334,723,780,807,810,888,897,906,960,963,969,996,1020,1593,1062,1074,1098,5337,2241,2553],"document-category":[2433,1329,2805,4389],"document-source":[1753,2173,1365,1897],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2237,1813,1749,2473],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-169314","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-algeria","country-austria","country-bangladesh","country-brazil","country-cuba","country-ecuador","country-egypt","country-iran-islamic-republic-of","country-israel","country-japan","country-malaysia","country-maldives","country-malta","country-morocco","country-nicaragua","country-palestine-state-of","country-qatar","country-russian-federation","country-saudi-arabia","country-singapore","country-syria","country-united-states-of-america","document-category-french-text","document-category-press-release","document-category-video","document-category-webcast","document-source-ceirpp","document-source-division-for-palestinian-rights-dpr","document-source-general-assembly","document-source-united-nations-department-of-public-information-dpi","document-subject-golan-heights","document-subject-middle-east-situation","document-subject-palestine-question","document-subject-solidarity-day","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/169314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/169314\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=169314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=169314"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=169314"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=169314"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=169314"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=169314"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=169314"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=169314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}