{"id":290607,"date":"2023-11-09T09:02:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T14:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=290607"},"modified":"2023-11-15T09:09:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T14:09:26","slug":"un-ga-second-committee-approves-three-resolutions-including-text-demanding-israel-cease-exploitation-of-natural-resources-in-occupied-palestinian-territory","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/un-ga-second-committee-approves-three-resolutions-including-text-demanding-israel-cease-exploitation-of-natural-resources-in-occupied-palestinian-territory\/","title":{"rendered":"Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ GA Second Committee Approves Three Resolutions, Including Text Demanding Israel Cease Exploitation of Natural Resources in Occupied Palestinian Territory"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Seventy-eighth Session,<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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21st Meeting (AM)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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GA\/EF\/3594<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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9 November 2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today approved three resolutions, voting on two of them, 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.<\/p>\n

By the terms of the draft resolution titled \u201cPermanent 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\u201d, the General Assembly 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.<\/p>\n

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 cease its destruction of vital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The Committee approved the draft by a recorded vote of 151\u00a0in favour to 6\u00a0against (Canada, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 11\u00a0abstentions.<\/p>\n

Addressing that text, the observer for the State of Palestine noted that it has now been over a month since Israel, the occupying Power, declared its war against defenceless Palestinian civilians whom it is obliged to protect under international law. \u00a0\u201cIt continues terrorizing them, with relentless bombardment, day and night,\u201d she stressed \u2014 while \u201cthere is no right in this world that permits the slaughter of another people\u201d, and it is unforgivable that the world is watching the killing of over 10,500 Palestinians.<\/p>\n

The representative of Syria said the resolution reaffirms once again the inalienable rights of the Syrian population in the occupied Syrian Golan and the Palestinian people over their natural resources. \u00a0The Israeli occupation, more than ever, continues to commit crimes and massacres against the Palestinian people, he said, stressing: \u00a0\u201cThese lands are Arab. \u00a0They will return to their original legitimate owners sooner or later.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, the representative of Israel noted his delegation voted against the \u201cone-sided\u201d resolution, which is based on biased thinking. \u00a0It was chosen in this Committee to single out only Israel, unjustly, not by one resolution but by two. \u00a0\u201cNo other Member State is treated in this way,\u201d he stressed, highlighting the exploitation of natural resources of the Palestinian people by Hamas\u2019 death machine \u2014 including concrete for civilian infrastructure used to reinforce terrorist tunnels under schools, hospitals, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ facilities and residential neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n

By another draft titled \u201cOil slick on Lebanese shores\u201d, the Assembly would reiterate, for the eighteenth consecutive year, its deep concern about the adverse implications of the destruction by the Israeli Air Force of the oil storage tanks in the direct vicinity of the Lebanese Jiyah electric power plant for the achievement of sustainable development in Lebanon. \u00a0It would further acknowledge the conclusions in the report of the Secretary-General, stating that studies show that the value of the damage to Lebanon amounted to $856.4\u00a0million in 2014.<\/p>\n

The Committee approved the draft resolution by a recorded vote of 158 in favour to 7 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States) with 6 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Tonga).<\/p>\n

Speaking after the vote, Lebanon\u2019s representative noted that Israel, for the eighteenth year in a row, refuses to comply with the resolution. \u00a0\u201cNo one is above the law,\u201d he stressed, adding that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ resolutions should not remain a dead letter. \u00a0\u201cToday we are all witnessing Israel\u2019s aggression in the south of Lebanon, using white phosphorus and other materials banned internationally,\u201d he emphasized, spotlighting more environmental crimes that could be considered as crimes against humanity.<\/p>\n

However, the representative of the United States, explaining its vote against the draft, expressed disappointment that the Committee has again taken up this \u201cunbalanced resolution\u201d that is unfairly critical of Israel and demonstrates a clear and persistent institutional bias directed at one Member State. \u00a0Rather than focusing on progress, including the historic and difficult decision by Israel and Lebanon to agree on a maritime boundary in 2022, the Committee continues to vote on the same \u201cworn and patently unfair resolutions\u201d each year.<\/p>\n

(…)<\/p>\n

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

(…)<\/p>\n

The Committee then turned to the draft resolution titled \u201cOil slick on Lebanese shores\u201d (document A\/C.2\/78\/L.21<\/a>), approving it by a recorded vote of 158\u00a0in favour to 7\u00a0against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States) with 6\u00a0abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Tonga).<\/p>\n

By its terms, the Assembly would reiterate, for the eighteenth consecutive year, its deep concern about the adverse implications of the destruction by the Israeli Air Force of the oil storage tanks in the direct vicinity of the Lebanese Jiyah electric power plant for the achievement of sustainable development in Lebanon.<\/p>\n

Also by the text, it would consider that the oil slick has heavily polluted the shores of Lebanon and partially polluted Syrian shores and consequently has had serious implications for livelihoods and the economy of Lebanon, and further acknowledge the conclusions in the report of the Secretary-General, in which he stated that studies show that the value of the damage to Lebanon amounted to $856.4\u00a0million in 2014.<\/p>\n

It would further reiterate its request to the Government of Israel to assume responsibility for prompt and adequate compensation to the Government of Lebanon for the aforementioned damage and to other countries directly affected by the oil slick, such as Syria.<\/p>\n

Introducing the draft resolution, the representative of Cuba<\/u>, on behalf of the Group\u00a0of\u00a077<\/u> and China<\/u>, noted that the text addresses the unjustified environmental disaster caused by Israel\u2019s destruction of oil storage tanks in the Lebanese Jiyah power plant on 15\u00a0July\u00a02006.\u00a0The draft has been technically updated to reflect clear relevance to the 2030\u00a0Agenda and the SDGs and to recognize the oil leak\u2019s multidimensional adverse impact on livelihoods, Lebanon\u2019s economy, natural resources, biodiversity, fisheries, tourism and human health.\u00a0 The draft reiterates, 17 years after the disaster, its request for Israel to assume responsibility for prompt and adequate compensation to Lebanon\u2019s Government for the damage.\u00a0 The draft also calls upon Member States and other stakeholders to intensify support for Lebanon to preserve its ecosystem and the Eastern Mediterranean basin.\u00a0 In closing, he emphasized the necessity for Israel to assume responsibility for pending compensation for reparations, costs inflicted and considerable economic, social and environmental damage reflected in the Secretary-General\u2019s August\u00a02023 report.<\/p>\n

The representative of the Russian Federation<\/u> asked to be included in the list of co-sponsors of the draft resolution.<\/p>\n

The representative of Lebanon<\/u> said that for the eighteenth straight year, the Committee has overwhelmingly supported the resolution on the oil slick on Lebanese shores in 2006; however, Israel, for the eighteenth year in a row, refuses to comply with the resolution.\u00a0 \u201cEvery year we call for action to compensate us and pay reparations for the damage done by this worst disaster in years,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cNo one is above the law,\u201d he stressed, adding that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ resolutions should not remain a dead letter.\u00a0 \u201cLebanon has spared no efforts to limit this oil slick, but the environmental, health-related and economic damage remains dire, preventing Lebanon from living up to the 2030\u00a0development agenda,\u201d he said, calling for the immediate implementation of the resolution.\u00a0 \u201cToday we are all witnessing Israel\u2019s aggression in the south of Lebanon, using white phosphorus and other materials banned internationally,\u201d he emphasized, spotlighting more environment disasters which are environmental crimes that could be considered as crimes against humanity.<\/p>\n

The representative of Israel<\/u> said his delegation called for a vote on the resolution and voted against it because it is deeply misleading, serves no purpose and wastes the time and resources of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and its Member States.\u00a0 The resolution, from its first appearance 17 years ago, has been nothing but an exercise in deception and distraction, he said, adding that: \u00a0\u201cLike the previous 17 versions, this year\u2019s resolution fails to mention that the events in question were the direct result of a conflict instigated by Hizbullah \u2014 Iran\u2019s proxy in Lebanon.\u201d\u00a0 Detailing the actions of Hizbullah terrorists against Israel and its people, he stressed that there was no condemnation of terrorism then and there is still none today.\u00a0 The resolution instead condemns the target of terrorism \u2014 Israel, he added, urging Member States to take a long and hard look at the politically motivated voting that allows the resolution to reappear each year.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United States<\/u>, explaining its vote against \u201cL.21\u201d, expressed disappointment that the Committee has again taken up this \u201cunbalanced resolution\u201d that is unfairly critical of Israel and demonstrates a clear and persistent institutional bias directed at one Member State.\u00a0 One-sided resolutions only distract from efforts to advance peace.\u00a0 The United States will continue to oppose every effort to delegitimize Israel.\u00a0 Rather than focusing on progress, including the historic and difficult decision by Israel and Lebanon to agree on a maritime boundary in 2022, the Committee continues to vote on the same \u201cworn and patently unfair resolutions\u201d each year.\u00a0He hoped that this agreement, as the type of engagement the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ should encourage, will unlock benefits for both countries.<\/p>\n

The representative of Iran<\/u>, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that the \u201cIsraeli regime\u201d, as is their standard practice, sought to divert international attention from their unlawful politics and practices.\u00a0 He had hoped that the representative of the Israeli regime would remain limited to the title of the agenda item.\u00a0 \u201cUnfortunately, it was a vain hope as usual,\u201d he stated, as Israel\u2019s representative had played the victim card while making false, unfounded accusations against others, including Iran.<\/p>\n

The Committee next took up the draft resolution \u201cPermanent 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\u201d (document\u00a0A\/C.2\/78\/L.44<\/a>), approving it by a recorded vote of 151\u00a0in favour to 6\u00a0against (Canada, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 11\u00a0abstentions.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 cease its destruction of vital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The representative of Cuba<\/u>, speaking on behalf of the Group\u00a0of\u00a077<\/u> and China<\/u> and introducing \u201cL.44\u201d, said the protracted Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and the Syrian Golan continues to have detrimental effects on the living conditions of the Palestinian and Syrian populations.\u00a0 \u201cThe resolution calls upon Israel to cease its destruction of vital infrastructure as well as its demolition and confiscation of Palestinian homes and civilian infrastructure,\u201d he said, adding that the text encourages all Member States and international organizations to ensure respect for their obligations under international law with regards to all illegal Israeli practices and measures in the occupied territory.\u00a0 \u201cThe Group looks forward to the adoption of the resolution and we strongly hope it will contribute to alleviating the dire and catastrophic socioeconomic situation of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and particularly the Gaza Strip during these difficult times, as well as the Syrian people in the occupied Syrian Golan,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United Kingdom<\/u> welcomed the approach of the State of Palestine in the provision of technical rollovers of this text and recognized that the language does not reflect the current context in Israel and Gaza.\u00a0 His delegation\u2019s vote in favour of the resolution does not undermine its enduring solidarity with Israel in the wake of Hamas\u2019 heinous terrorist attacks on 7\u00a0October, he said.\u00a0 Voicing support for Israel\u2019s right to self-defence against terrorism, he stressed that Israel must act in line with international humanitarian law and take every feasible precaution to avoid harming civilians.\u00a0 He noted the devastating humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians and condemned settler violence against them, stressing that settlements are illegal under international law.\u00a0 The United Kingdom will continue to invest all efforts for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and work with partners towards a two-State solution based on 1967\u00a0lines with East Jerusalem as a shared capital, he added.<\/p>\n

The representative of Spain<\/u>, speaking on behalf of the European Union<\/u>, supported \u201cL.44\u201d.\u00a0 He also stated that the resolution\u2019s use of the term \u201cPalestine\u201d cannot be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine.\u00a0 The term is understood without prejudice to the individual positions of Member States on the issue and the question of the validity and accession to the agreements and treaties mentioned therein.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United States<\/u> noted that President Joseph R. Biden has been clear that Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live safely and securely with equal measures of freedom, dignity, justice and prosperity.\u00a0 While remaining committed to pursuing the path to a two-State solution through constructive measures, his delegation expressed disappointment that that this body has again taken up the unbalanced resolution that is unfairly critical of Israel, demonstrating a clear institutional bias against one Member State.\u00a0One-sided resolutions will not help to advance peace while ignoring the facts on the ground and are purely rhetorical documents \u201cthat seek to divide us at a time when we should be coming together\u201d, he stated.\u00a0 The United States will continue to oppose any effort to delegitimize Israel and voted against the resolution.<\/p>\n

The observer for the State of Palestine<\/u> noted that it has now been over a month since Israel, the occupying Power, declared its war against the defenceless Palestinian civilians whom it is obliged to protect under international law. \u00a0\u201cIt continues terrorizing them, with relentless bombardment, day and night, targeting them, their homes, infrastructure, water reserves, hospitals, mosques, churches, health centres and schools, including those under the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ flag,\u201d she said, underscoring that some still speak of the right to self-defence of an occupying Power that has made it clear that it is seeking the annihilation of the Palestinian people. \u00a0\u201cThere is no right in this world that permits the slaughter of another people,\u201d she said, stressing that it is deplorable and unforgivable that the world is watching the killing of over 10,500 Palestinians.\u00a0 \u201cIt is unquestionable that this is happening because Israel has been allowed to behave as a State above the law, never bearing a single consequence for its illegal policies and practices,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The representative of Syria<\/u> said the resolution reaffirms once again the inalienable rights of the Syrian population in the occupied Syrian Golan and the Palestinian people over their natural resources, which should be the main driver for achieving the SDGs.\u00a0 However, Israeli actions do not only violate international law, but also destabilize the region, rendering it difficult or impossible for people under occupation to achieve the SDGs.\u00a0 Moreover, Israeli occupation today, more than ever, continues to commit crimes and massacres against the Palestinian people, he said, stressing: \u00a0\u201cNo matter how long the Israeli occupation of the occupied Syrian Golan and Palestine continues, this will not change the rights recognized internationally. \u00a0These lands are Arab. \u00a0They will return to their original legitimate owners sooner or later.\u201d He added:\u00a0 \u201cThe time has come for the international community to make sure that Israel \u2014 the occupying Power \u2014 complies with its resolutions and ends its criminal occupation of the occupied Arab territories.\u201d<\/p>\n

The representative of Pakistan<\/u>, explaining its vote in favour of \u201cL.44\u201d, expressed his solidarity with the brave people enduring unrelenting oppression from Israeli occupation forces.\u00a0 The resolution importantly affirms the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the population of the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources, which are being brazenly violated by the occupying Power, Israel.\u00a0 The draft is another reminder of the multifaceted impact of repressive Israeli policies, denying the right to self-determination and impacting economic rights of the occupied.\u00a0 Pakistan also remains deeply concerned about the Occupied Palestinian Territory\u2019s dire security and humanitarian situation.\u00a0 Israeli actions are a flagrant breach of international law and a grave violation of several Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ resolutions.\u00a0 He called for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access and a stop to the forced transfer of Gaza\u2019s population.\u00a0 The international community must work in concert for a just, comprehensive and lasting two-State solution with a viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre\u20111967 borders with Al\u2011Quds Al\u2011Sharif as its capital.<\/p>\n

The representative of Germany<\/u>, aligning himself with the European Union, expressed understanding of the intention to not open the package of resolutions under the current circumstances.\u00a0 However, he stressed that the text at hand for consideration of a technical rollover does not, by definition, reflect and address the developments that started with the horrendous crimes committed by Hamas on 7\u00a0October.\u00a0 That is why his delegation maintained its previous voting pattern.\u00a0 He affirmed that Germany stands with Israel and condemns in the strongest terms Hamas\u2019 heinous acts of terror, demanding that it immediately release all hostages, many of whom are European Union citizens, without any preconditions.\u00a0 Underscoring Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, he called for the Charter of the United Nations to guide a peace process towards the two-State solution.<\/p>\n

The representative of Israel<\/u> said his delegation voted against the resolution, which is one-sided, ignoring inconvenient facts and based on biased thinking.\u00a0 He said that it was chosen in this Committee to single out only Israel, unjustly, not by one resolution but by two.\u00a0 \u201cNo other Member State is treated in this way,\u201d he stressed, highlighting his country\u2019s view of what is exploitation of natural resources of the Palestinian people by Hamas\u2019 death machine.\u00a0 \u201cMetal, intended for water pipelines, is used for deadly rockets,\u201d he said, adding that concrete for civilian infrastructure is used to reinforce Hamas\u2019 terrorist tunnels under schools, hospitals, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ facilities and residential neighbourhoods.\u00a0\u201cFood and water intended for civilians is stockpiled for terrorists and only terrorists, and fuel is diverted from hospitals to power Hamas\u2019 terrorist activities,\u201d he stressed, underscoring that the resolution and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), through its silence over the years, are only encouraging terrorists like Hamas.<\/p>\n

The representative of T\u00fcrkiye<\/u> voiced concern about the ongoing carnage in the Gaza Strip and joined other delegations in calling for an immediate ceasefire.\u00a0 The wider international community will not remain silent, but it needs to do more, she said, stressing the urgent need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.\u00a0Priority must be given to the urgent humanitarian needs of the civilian population of Gaza, she said, adding: \u00a0\u201cThere can be no excuse or justification for the deprivation of millions to food, water, electricity and fuel.\u201d\u00a0 Lasting peace and security in the Middle East can only be achieved through a political solution based on the two-State vision and pre\u20111967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent, sovereign and geographically contiguous State of Palestine, she said.<\/p>\n

The representative of Iran<\/u> said that genocide and war crimes are happening in Gaza before the international community\u2019s eyes, as a result of the occupation continuing over seven decades.\u00a0 The Israeli regime\u2019s imminent ground invasion into Gaza is a humanitarian disaster and will seriously threaten regional and global peace and security.\u00a0 He regretted that the international community\u2019s response to these severe violations has fallen short of holding those responsible accountable.\u00a0 Iran considers the Golan an integral part of Syria\u2019s territory and condemns all measures by the Israeli regime to undermine Syria\u2019s territorial integrity.\u00a0 He condemned the continuing occupation of Syrian territory and called upon all Member States to comply with international obligations and not to recognize such illegal actions and acts of aggression.\u00a0 He also called on the international community, Member States and the Security Council in particular to shoulder its responsibilities and take decisive action, forcing the Israeli regime to adhere to international obligations and renounce its aggressive actions, occupation and atrocities.<\/p>\n

Right of Reply<\/u><\/p>\n

The observer for the State of Palestine<\/u>, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that what the Committee heard from the Israeli delegate was typical from the occupying Power, denying crimes committed on a daily basis against the Palestinian population for decades.\u00a0Neither the resolution approved today nor the ESCWA report are biased, nor do they single out Israel.\u00a0 Rather, it is the occupying Power\u2019s complete defiance of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ resolutions that single out Israel.\u00a0 Israeli extremist settlers and officials alike have continued to spread hate, warning of a \u201cgreater catastrophe\u201d while making genocidal threats against her people, labelling them \u201cchildren of darkness\u201d and \u201chuman animals\u201d, vowing to crush them.<\/p>\n

Citing an Israeli minister\u2019s proposal to drop a nuclear bomb on Gaza, she said the real reason behind the war is to either forcibly transfer the Palestinian people outside of Palestine or eliminate those who will not leave.\u00a0 \u201cThe choice to our people is stark:\u00a0 Leave your country or die,\u201d she stressed \u2014 in line with the annexationist apartheid plans of the current far-right Israeli Government, the same plans pursued for 75 years.\u00a0 She recalled cynical plans in a leaked document by the so-called Israeli Intelligence Ministry, indicating that the goal to relocate Palestinians to tent cities in Sinai is a reality.\u00a0 She expressed her unequivocal rejection of such plans, as \u201cthe Palestinian people went through this Nakba in 1948 but will never allow it to happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The representative of Israel<\/u> said that the suffering in Gaza, as a result of Hamas\u2019 decision to declare war upon his country on 7\u00a0October, is heartbreaking.\u00a0 \u201cHamas exploits the civilians of Gaza, preventing temporary civilian evacuation from combat zones, seizing humanitarian aid and firing rockets,\u201d he stressed, adding that Israel has been warning civilians for three weeks to get out of northern Gaza.\u00a0 \u201cHamas is a genocidal jihadist terror organization who openly vowed to repeat the atrocities of 7\u00a0October until they kill every man, woman and child in Israel,\u201d he stated, adding that this threat has to and will be removed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran\u2019s Ayatollah regime\u2019s complete disregard to human rights, which are at the very base of any idea of development, is well-documented and well-known,\u201d he said, referring to hanging of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, as well as the oppression of women and export of terrorism and other atrocities, which all make the comments of the Ayatollah\u2019s representatives irrelevant.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Assad regime\u2019s ceaseless and cruel abuse of human rights against its own population, including the use of chemical weapons against its own civilians, women and children included, have deemed this regime standing ground as illegitimate,\u201d he said, underscoring that Syria has forfeited the right to make baseless allegations or speak on morality and abuse of natural resources.\u00a0 He also called on Syria\u2019s representative to avoid threats like the ones just made.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world sees Pakistan\u2019s brutal treatment of Afghans, choosing to expel over 1.5\u00a0million Afghan refugees; the world sees their corruption, moral and administrative; for them, the situation in Gaza is just an opportunity for a smokescreen to cover for their abuse of human rights,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The representative of Syria<\/u> said: \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s very rich to hear the delegate of the occupying entity lecturing us about humanitarian law and war crimes considering what is happening in Gaza right now.\u201d\u00a0 That representative said geopolitical tensions are in the way of sustainable development and for some reason Israel and its actions were singled out, he recalled, stressing that those geopolitical tensions do not bomb schools or hospitals.\u00a0 Those geopolitical tensions do not require the people of Gaza to leave the north and head south and then bomb them along the way, nor do they threaten to use atomic bombs on civilians.\u00a0 The excuse to deprive a population of more than a million of food and water because they claim that those go to Hamas is ridiculous, he stressed.<\/p>\n

The representative of Iran<\/u> said the story of Palestine started seven decades ago, not from 7\u00a0October.\u00a0 As a standard practice, he said, the Israeli regime diverts international attention away from its unlawful practices by attacking others.\u00a0It is ironic that a regime famous for such unlawful acts \u2014 genocide, war crimes, apartheid policies documented by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ \u2014 allows itself to accuse other countries in such a sinister way.\u00a0 The regime cannot deflect attention away from its malign, destabilizing activities in the region by waging a widespread \u201cIranophobia\u201d campaign.\u00a0 Iran works tirelessly, he said, to contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East as it fights against terrorist and extremist groups.\u00a0 This \u201cvictim mindset\u201d is a standard practice of Israeli regime officials, as they habitually attempt to portray themselves as innocent.<\/p>\n

The representative of Pakistan<\/u> responded to the \u201chighly regrettable remarks by the delegation of Israel\u201d, which sought to mislead the Committee about the illegal foreigners repatriation plan being implemented in his country.\u00a0 It is merely meant to move those illegal and undocumented people living on its territory, who despite having been given enough time to get registered, have failed to do so, as is Pakistan\u2019s sovereign right.\u00a0 Pakistan has been host to over 4\u00a0million Afghan refugees for over four decades, and is host to one of the largest such populations in the world, a demonstration of its generosity and hospitality.\u00a0 He noted that what has perhaps irked the Israeli delegation is its inability to face the truth and international censure due to its highly repressive policies oppressing an occupied people for decades.\u00a0 He stressed that Israeli occupation forces have become a killing machine.<\/p>\n

The representative of Israel<\/u> said:\u00a0 \u201cI will use every opportunity to say this again and again:\u00a0The Assad regime, the Ayatollah regime and Pakistan have no moral grounds to lecture us.\u00a0 Advancing their fictitious and cruel agenda will not change the facts on the ground, and while they try to destroy, we will build back better with our people at the centre of our efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Seventy-eighth Session, 21st Meeting (AM) GA\/EF\/3594 9 November 2023 The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today approved three resolutions, voting on two of them, 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. […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":301,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[780,846,888,897,1035,1593,1134,2241,1182,2321,2553],"document-category":[1329],"document-source":[1365,1933],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1937,2693,1805],"entity":[],"document-language":[],"class_list":["post-290607","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-cuba","country-germany","country-iran-islamic-republic-of","country-israel","country-pakistan","country-palestine-state-of","country-spain","country-syria","country-turkiye","country-united-kingdom","country-united-states-of-america","document-category-press-release","document-source-general-assembly","document-source-general-assembly-second-committee-economic-and-financial","document-subject-economic-issues","document-subject-natural-resources","document-subject-occupation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290607","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\/301"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290607\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290676,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290607\/revisions\/290676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=290607"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=290607"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=290607"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=290607"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=290607"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=290607"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=290607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}