UAE calls upon international community to end suffering of Palestinians

The UAE warned of the continued international impotence in solving the Palestinian issue in light of the illegal Israeli settlement policy, calling on the international community to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and save the two-state solution by putting an end to the occupation.

This came during a statement delivered by Jamal Al Musharakh, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE Mission to the United Nations, UN, before the special meeting of the General Assembly on two items related to the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East.

Al Musharakh quoted the message of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in which he stressed continued support of the UAE Government and its people to the struggle of the Palestinian people to realise their full legitimate aspirations to establish an independent sovereign state, like all other people.

He also voiced the deep concern of the UAE over the continued, serious deterioration of security, humanitarian and social conditions in occupied Palestinian territories, including the escalation of violence, and the absence of solution in sight, which disrupts the recovery of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

The UAE official expressed his regret at the continuing plight of the Palestinian people for more than 70 years despite the tireless efforts made by the UN, its agencies, and all relevant regional and international actors working to resolve the Palestinian issue.

Al Musharakh also shed light on the upsurge of aggressive practices and policies introduced by Israel, and its illegal efforts to suppress the Palestinian people, noting that the Israeli authorities continue the demolition of Palestinian homes and properties, confiscation of land, forcible deportation of Palestinians, use of excessive force, and detention that includes women and children.

As the Israeli authorities continue the blockade in Gaza Strip, it has worsened the humanitarian situation to the lowest level, compounded with high level of unemployment, he added.

Al Musharakh also spoke about Israeli settlement activities deep into the Palestinian territory, reiterating the position of the UAE that deems all such activities invalid and illegal under the international humanitarian law. He expressed regret over the Israeli government’s stance to ignore all international appeal to halt the activities that impede the two-state solution and the peace process in the Middle East.

The settlers continue to exercise violence against the Palestinian people, not to mention the exploitation of natural resources in the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan Heights, he noted.

Referring to the Jerusalem issue, Al Musharakh warned that there could be more tension in the region if Israel continues with the illegal measures aimed at changing the historical Arab character of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and the systematic aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy Islamic and Christian sites. He said such practices would lead to a serious provocation and flagrant violation of international agreements.

Al Musharakh emphasised the UAE’s condemnation of all Israeli violations and repressive practices, which are a clear violation of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. He called on Israel to cease immediately all these violations and show the political will to achieve real peace in the region.

He concluded the statement by reiterating the UAE’s position that has called upon the international community to work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 1967, with its capital in East Jerusalem, according to the international legitimate resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Madrid Principles.