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Shoulder responsibility or see credibility undermined, Permanent Observer of Palestine warns as Security Council considers Middle East situation

Attachments

SC/9402
Security Council
5940th Meeting* (AM & PM)

Underlining the permanent responsibility of the United Nations for the question of Palestine until its resolution, the Permanent Observer for Palestine warned the Security Council today that its credibility would be undermined unless it shouldered its responsibility in that regard.

Addressing the Council during a debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, she said her people had continued to appeal to the international community to address Israel's continuing denial and violation of their inalienable rights, because it was a matter of international peace and security. The Council's failure to address the issue would continue negatively to affect the image of the United Nations and feed the perception of double standards, in the Middle East and the developing world.

In a similar vein, Indonesia's representative said the Middle East conflict had been going on for far too long, tarnishing the international community's collective conscience. The situation continued to pose a threat to international peace and security, because of the Council's inability to take concrete and resolute action from the beginning. However, present prospects for peace in the region were flourishing and it was important to seize that opportunity.

Indeed, B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, outlined a number of encouraging developments across the region as he briefed the Council. Progress had been particularly heartening in Lebanon, where a major step forward had been taken with the announcement of a national unity Government. Another positive development was the continuing indirect talks between Israel and Syria. In Gaza, moreover, the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire had held and there had been a marked decline in violence. It was a matter of concern, however, that there no improvement on the ground had been seen in the West Bank.

He said the political process begun at the Annapolis Conference continued, with regular meetings and discussions at various levels on the core issues, both in the region and elsewhere. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas had met on the margins of the Paris Union for the Mediterranean Summit on 13 July and underscored their determination to reach an agreement. However, some gaps remained significant. During discussions in Paris, the Secretary-General had emphasized the need to press ahead with bilateral talks aimed at overcoming all outstanding differences. It was, nevertheless, encouraging that Israeli President Shimon Peres had, for the first time, hosted President Abbas at his Jerusalem residence today.

There was no better time than the present to broker peace, Indonesia's representative stressed, welcoming the unflagging commitment of the Arab League, the Quartet and key countries of the region. However, one challenge that must be addressed urgently was that of Israeli settlement activities. The Council should pronounce itself clearly and vigorously on that very important matter. It was equally important to address other core issues, including borders, Palestinian refugees, the status of Jerusalem and, most urgently, ending the Israeli occupation that had begun in 1967.

Analysing the situation, the representative of the United States said progress towards a two-State solution was not always visible, but that should not be mistaken for a lack of progress. The United States welcomed the strong European support for that process, as demonstrated at the recent Union for the Mediterranean Summit, and was working hard to support the parties' efforts to improve security for Palestinians and Israelis, while improving the humanitarian situation for the Palestinians.

The international community had a role to play in supporting the efforts of the parties to reach a comprehensive Middle East peace, he said. For example, at the Quartet's next meeting in September, it would consider the timing and agenda for an international meeting in Moscow to lend support to the Annapolis process. On the financial side, the United States urged the international community, especially regional partners, to increase their efforts to support the Palestinian Authority. The United States had delivered on much of its $555 million pledge made at the Paris Conference last December, including $150 million in direct budgetary assistance.

However, Libya's representative maintained that all activities by the Israeli authorities, especially in continuation of settlement activities after Annapolis, showed that Israel was not serious in seeking a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the conflict. Despite all requests, announcements and calls to stop the construction of settlements, those activities continued, while new licences for construction were granted. The separation wall was still being built, despite the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

Stressing the responsibility of the Council to ensure the implementation of its own resolutions, several speakers lamented the lack of agreement in the Council on an Arab-sponsored draft resolution that would have condemned the recent acceleration of Israeli settlement activities and demanded an immediate cessation.

Speaking on behalf of 118 members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Cuba's representative said the Movement had submitted a letter to the President of the Council, urging that body to address the serious issue of settlements, including through the adoption of a resolution. Israel continued to carry out countless other unlawful policies and measures intended to advance its illegal settlement campaign and alter the demographic composition, character and status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

On another aspect of the issue, Italy's representative said that, in seeking peace in the Middle East, Israel's security was non-negotiable. To that end, the international community should help bring about good governance in the region through a modern legal framework. It should also help strengthen the Palestinian security and rule of law sector as a priority. It should assist in finding a rapid solution to the inter-Palestinian crisis, while ensuring that contributions made to support the Palestinian economy and administration were well coordinated. For its part, Israel must reduce the obstacles it had erected to hinder free movement in the West Bank.

Malaysia's representative emphasized that the responsibilities of Palestinians and Israelis could not be equated, noting that, as an occupier, Israel bore the responsibility under international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention. It was long overdue for Israel to cease its policy of imposing collective punishment on the population of Gaza. It should halt all human rights violations and illegal actions.

Israel's representative, for his part, expressed hope that the Arab and Muslim world would realize that their responsibility today was to support the moderates in isolating and marginalizing the extremists. It was time to legitimize a moderate Palestinian leadership. It was the Council's duty to support the talks on the ground between the moderate, democratically elected leadership of Palestine and the Israeli leadership. Hopefully, the parties could bring an end to the cycle of violence, enabling the two peoples to live side by side in peace, security and prosperity.

Others speaking today were the representatives of Burkina Faso, Panama, United Kingdom, Croatia, South Africa, France (on behalf of the European Union), Costa Rica, China, Belgium, Russian Federation, Viet Nam, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar (on behalf of the Arab Group), Jordan, Argentina, Japan and Iran.

Also addressing the Council was the Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

The meeting began at 10:15 a.m., suspended at 1:50 p.m., resumed at 3:40 p.m. and ended at 4:25 p.m.