Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr Philemon Yang,
Special Meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Tuesday 26 November 2024, ECOSOC Chamber
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Al-Salam Alaykum, or “Peace be upon you all”.
Seeking peace for everyone in the Middle East is why we are gathered here today.
For peace has long eluded the people of this region, who continue to be burdened by conflict and violence.
Nowhere is this clearer than in Palestine, where people desperately yearn for peace, as they endure prolonged suffering.
Let me be clear: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can neither be resolved through force, from either side, nor through endless occupation or annexation.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only end when both, Israelis and Palestinians, are able to live side by side in their own sovereign, independent states, in peace, security and dignity.
This is why we are here today. To reiterate the importance of realizing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, in particular the right to self-determination, and to express our collective solidarity with this cause.
Today, we also recall the General Assembly’s historic adoption of resolution 181 (II) on 29 November 1947.
This so-called Partition resolution called for the establishment of two States. A “Jewish State”, Israel, which exists; and an “Arab State”, Palestine – which still has not been admitted to the United Nations as a full member, 77 years later. It is unjust!
Moreover, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, despite numerous resolutions and international conferences aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.
The conflict has once again only escalated in front of our eyes, becoming one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory.
In Gaza, more than 43,000 people have been killed since October 2023, most of them civilians, women and children.
More than 100,000 people have been injured.
1.9 million people, nearly the entire population of Gaza, have been displaced.
Civilian infrastructure lies in ruins.
Meanwhile, the situation in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem remains deeply concerning.
Israel’s large-scale military operations, violence against civilians, settler-related violence, settlement expansion, demolitions and displacements continue to undermine the prospects for an urgently needed political process.
Excellencies,
Over seven decades ago, the General Assembly called for a two-State solution.
Today, we gather to stress again that the aspiration of the Palestinian people for their own state is a just aspiration; one that will help realize their hopes for peace, security, and dignity. And one that must finally be met.
When generations of young Palestinians are being deprived of these fundamental rights, and are left without hope for a better future, it only fuels desperation, trauma and extremism.
We must restore hope and trust among Palestinians: Hope that a better future is possible. And trust in the United Nations and its commitments.
We can start building that future here today by demanding an immediate ceasefire, an immediate return of the hostages and the commencement of negotiations towards a long-lasting peace.
That future requires that the international community finally takes concrete and meaningful action towards a just, comprehensive and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The solution is anchored in international law, the Charter of the United Nations and relevant United Nations resolutions.? ?
Only dialogue and negotiations towards a two-State solution will bring about an end to the vicious cycle of violence and instability.
And today I would like to reiterate that only the establishment of a Palestinian State, alongside the State of Israel, can guarantee lasting peace, security and prosperity for the peoples of Palestine and Israel.
Let us act now. I call on all the parties concerned and states that have influence in the region to work towards this end without further delay.
Let us translate our solidarity with the Palestinian people into action that transforms their lives, today.
Let us do so for the sake of Palestinian children and for a peaceful, prosperous and equitable future for everyone.
I thank you.
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Media?Contacts
Sharon Birch,?Spokesperson for?the President of the General Assembly,?Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org
Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990, mariam.shaikh@un.org
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