{"id":290610,"date":"2023-11-09T14:37:54","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T19:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=290610"},"modified":"2023-11-13T14:46:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T19:46:13","slug":"fourth-committee-approves-six-draft-resolutions-all-by-recorded-vote-addressing-middle-east-situation-and-palestinian-question-press-release","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/fourth-committee-approves-six-draft-resolutions-all-by-recorded-vote-addressing-middle-east-situation-and-palestinian-question-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Fourth Committee Approves Six Draft Resolutions, All by Recorded Vote, Addressing Middle East Situation and Palestinian Question – Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Seventy-eighth Session,<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
26th Meeting (AM)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
GA\/SPD\/798<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
9 November 2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Few Substantial Changes Made to Texts amid Ongoing Regional Strife<\/h4>\n

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved six draft resolutions today, all by recorded votes, relating to the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, as well as a decision regarding its programme of work, thus completing its work for the main part of the General Assembly\u2019s seventy\u2011eighth session.<\/p>\n

Among the six draft resolutions, the text titled \u201cWork of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories\u201d (document A\/C.4\/78\/L.13<\/a>), was approved by a recorded vote of 85 in favour to 13 against, with 72 abstentions.<\/p>\n

By its terms, the Assembly would reiterate its demand that Israel cooperate with the Special Committee in implementing its mandate. \u00a0It would express grave concern about the critical situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory resulting from unlawful Israeli practices and measures and call for the immediate cessation of all illegal Israeli settlement activities.\u00a0It would also call for the lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip as well as the complete cessation of the excessive and indiscriminate use of force and military operations against the civilian population, among other measures.<\/p>\n

That text, as well as the others, were technical rollovers, with no substantial changes from the resolutions adopted by the Assembly during the seventy\u2011seventh session. \u00a0They were submitted under the agenda items \u201cUnited Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u201d and \u201cIsraeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine said\u00a0that the present moment did not allow for engagement on changes to reflect the current situation. \u00a0In Gaza, children are under rubble and the death toll has crossed 10,000, but the Security Council remains paralysed, he said, adding that it is not enough for the international community to reaffirm the principles set out in past Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ resolutions.\u00a0Rather, it must implement them.<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s delegate, who called upon Member States to vote against the resolutions, said that today\u2019s resolutions made no mention of war crimes committed by Hamas, the 1,400 murdered, or the exploitation of aid by Hamas for its terror activities.\u00a0 Further, the texts do not mention the failure of the Palestinian Authority to condemn terror or the destructive role of Iran.<\/p>\n

The draft resolution titled \u201cAssistance to Palestine refugees\u201d (document A\/C.4\/78\/L.11<\/a>) \u2014 approved by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 11 abstentions \u2014 would affirm the necessity for the continuation of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA) and the importance of its unimpeded operation, pending the just resolution of the question of the Palestine refugees.\u00a0 It would also call upon all donors to continue to strengthen their efforts to meet Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s anticipated needs.<\/p>\n

The draft resolution titled \u201cOperations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u201d (document A\/C.4\/78\/L.10<\/a>) \u2014 approved by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 4 against (Canada, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, United States), with 7 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Uruguay, Vanuatu) \u2014 would have the Assembly express its deep concern about the extremely critical financial situation of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA and attempts to discredit the Agency despite its proven operational capacity and consistent implementation of its mandate. \u00a0It would also call upon Israel to ensure the safety of the personnel of the Agency and the protection of its institutions.<\/p>\n

Also approved today was a draft resolution titled \u201cPalestine refugees\u2019 properties and their revenues\u201d (document A\/C.4\/78\/L.12<\/a>), by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States), with 8 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, South Sudan, Togo, Vanuatu).\u00a0 Its terms would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General take all appropriate steps to protect Arab properties, assets and property rights in Israel.\u00a0 Further, it urges the Palestinian and Israeli sides to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees\u2019 properties and their revenues within the framework of final-status peace negotiations.<\/p>\n

By the terms of \u201cThe occupied Syrian Golan\u201d (document A\/C.4\/78\/L.14<\/a>) \u2014 approved by a recorded vote of 146 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 23 abstentions \u2014 the Assembly would call upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and to desist from establishing settlements. \u00a0Further, the Assembly would call upon Israel to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and identity cards on Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and from its repressive measures against the population of the occupied Syrian Golan.<\/p>\n

By a recorded vote of 145 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Hungary, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States) with 18 abstentions, the Committee approved the draft resolution titled \u201cIsraeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan\u201d (document A\/C.4\/78\/L.15<\/a>).\u00a0 By its terms, the Assembly would condemn settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan and any activities involving the confiscation of land, the disruption of the livelihood of protected persons, the forced transfer of civilians and the annexation of land, whether de facto or through national legislation.<\/p>\n

The Committee also approved, without a vote, a draft decision outlining its programme of work for the Assembly\u2019s seventy-ninth session.<\/p>\n

In closing remarks, Mathu Joyini (South Africa), Committee Chair, noted that the Committee approved a total of 33 draft resolutions and 3 draft decisions over the course of 26 formal meetings.<\/p>\n

The Fourth Committee will reconvene in 2024 at a date and time to be announced to take up the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and to elect its Bureau for the Assembly\u2019s seventy-ninth session.<\/p>\n

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

The Committee first took up three draft resolutions under the agenda item \u00a0\u201cUnited Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u201d.<\/p>\n

The representative of Indonesia<\/u>, speaking also on behalf of South Africa<\/u>, introduced the draft resolutions titled \u201cAssistance to Palestine refugees\u201d (document\u00a0A\/C.4\/78\/L.11<\/a>) and \u201cPalestine refugees\u2019 properties and their revenues\u201d (document\u00a0A\/C.4\/78\/L.12<\/a>).<\/p>\n

On \u201cL.11\u201d, he said that the events of the past week underscore the indispensable humanitarian and stabilizing role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA). \u00a0More than 730,000 Palestinian civilians are currently sheltering in the Agency\u2019s 151\u00a0schools and facilities, he noted.\u00a0 The current draft is based on the resolution of the seventy\u2011seventh session with only minimal technical updates, he said, while noting that this past month, Israel’s violations not only persisted and escalated but have reached unprecedented levels.<\/p>\n

Turning to \u201cL.12\u201d, he said that the text reaffirms that Palestinian refugees are entitled to their properties and the income derived from them. \u00a0It requests the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps for the protection of Arab properties and urges both sides to address the issue of Palestine refugees\u2019 properties in the final status negotiation.<\/p>\n

The representative of South Africa<\/u>, introducing the\u00a0draft resolution titled \u201cOperations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u201d (document\u00a0A\/C.4\/76\/L.10<\/a>), said that the number of\u00a0Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA personnel killed by Israel\u2019s current military assault and bombardment of Gaza has increased from\u00a089 to\u00a099 over the past four days. \u00a0The draft resolution reaffirms that the delivery of assistance by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA remains essential for alleviating the plight of more than 5.9\u00a0million Palestinian refugees and for regional stability against the backdrop of continuing crises and the current unprecedented suffering inflicted on the population of Gaza. \u00a0The text expresses concern about ongoing breaches of the inviolability of the Agency\u2019s premises and calls on Israel, the occupying Power, to cease obstruction of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s work and ensure the safety of the Agency\u2019s personnel and installations. \u00a0He also noted that the draft urges all States to support the work of the Agency, which is the first line of assistance for basic and critical humanitarian services to those suffering, especially in Gaza.<\/p>\n

The representative of Israel<\/u>, making a general statement, said that, once again, the \u201cautomatic anti-Israeli majority here at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ will ensure that all six draft resolutions will be passed this morning, regardless of their content or the actual situation on the ground\u201d.\u00a0 He called on all decent, democratic, fair and peace-loving Member States to vote against these draft resolutions, not only because of the lies and one-sided narratives within them, but also because of what is not mentioned in the texts.\u00a0There is no mention, he said, of war crimes committed by Hamas, the 1,400 murdered and more than 4,700 wounded in Israel on 7\u00a0October; the more than 9,500 rockets fired from Gaza since 7\u00a0October aimed at Israeli civilians, or the exploitation of aid by Hamas for its terror activities.<\/p>\n

Neither do the draft resolutions mention the terrorist infrastructure built in proximity to civilian facilities, the moral failure of the Palestinian Authority to unequivocally condemn terror, or the destructive role of Iran that has bankrolled, armed and trained Hamas and unleashed its proxies in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen to further terror against Israel and other countries in the region, he said.\u00a0 In addition, \u00a0there is no mention that the texts are promoted by \u201csystematic violators of any law and human right known to man,\u201d including the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, Syria, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.\u00a0 \u201cFor all of these reasons, I call upon Member States to vote against these resolutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United Kingdom<\/u> acknowledged that the language in the draft resolutions does not reflect the current context in Israel and Gaza. \u00a0The United Kingdom\u2019s vote on these texts will not undermine its enduring solidarity with Israel in the wake of the heinous terrorist attacks of 7\u00a0October, he said, reiterating support for that country\u2019s right to self-defence.\u00a0 Israel must act in line with international human rights and humanitarian law and take every feasible precaution to avoid harming civilians, he said, adding that Hamas does not speak or act in the interest of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United States<\/u> said that one-sided resolutions, either in the Security Council or the Fourth Committee, will not help to advance peace, but rather they will perpetuate long-standing lines of division. \u00a0\u201cThis package of resolutions will neither advance peace nor create the conditions for negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.\u201d \u00a0The United States opposes any and all resolutions that are one-sided or seek to hold Israel to a standard not expected of other countries. \u00a0In this regard, he said that the United States will abstain on the resolutions \u201cL.10\u201d, \u201cL.11\u201d and \u201cL.12\u201d, adding that this should not be interpreted as a lack of confidence in or support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA. \u00a0Urging Member States to match their rhetorical support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA with concrete financial support, he pointed to the United States\u2019 contribution of $1\u00a0billion since 2021, including an additional $100\u00a0million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. \u00a0The volume of aid entering Gaza is not enough, he continued, adding that the United States has identified mechanisms to enable fuel to reach hospitals and to meet other urgent needs in the south of Gaza, adding that these new mechanisms should be fully operationalized.<\/p>\n

The representative of Cuba<\/u> said that it is not right, at the present time, to question the content of these resolutions.\u00a0\u201cIt is precisely because of that absent content\u201d that the Security Council was not able to adopt a resolution.\u00a0He pointed out that the texts also do not mention the 10,328\u00a0Palestinians killed over the last month, including 4,000\u00a0children; the more than 100\u00a0Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ workers killed; or the more than 18,000\u00a0tonnes of explosives used.\u00a0 Recalling the words of Fidel Castro, he said that the \u201cheroic Palestinian people are an impressive example of selflessness and patriotism, and they are the living example of the greatest crime of our time\u201d. \u00a0He then asked delegates to vote in favour of the draft resolutions.<\/p>\n

The Committee first approved draft resolution \u201cL.10\u201d by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 4 against (Canada, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, United States), with 7 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Uruguay, Vanuatu).<\/p>\n

It then approved \u201cL.11\u201d, by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 11 abstentions.<\/p>\n

Next, it approved the draft resolution \u201cL.12\u201d by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States), with 8 abstentions (Cameroon, Guatemala, Kiribati,\u00a0Papua New Guinea, Paraguay,\u00a0South Sudan, Togo, Vanuatu).<\/p>\n

The representative of Canada<\/u>, in an explanation of position, said that his delegation voted in favour of the draft on assistance to Palestinian refugees as part of its long-standing commitment to ensuring that millions of Palestinian refugees receive basic services.\u00a0The war in Gaza began after the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, he said, reaffirming Israel\u2019s right to defend itself.\u00a0 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA is playing a crucial role in helping to preserve the lives of civilians, he said, calling upon all parties to protect civilians. \u00a0Further, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA must uphold humanitarian values, including neutrality, to ensure that funds reach those in need. \u00a0There are too many resolutions related to the Arab-Israeli conflict and too many which single out Israel, he said, adding that Canada will continue to vote no on texts that do not address the complexity of issues.<\/p>\n

The Committee then took up draft resolutions under the agenda item \u201cIsraeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories\u201d.<\/p>\n

The representative of Cuba<\/u> introduced the draft resolutions titled \u201c Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories\u201d (document\u00a0A\/C.4\/78\/L.13<\/a>) and \u201cThe occupied Syrian Golan\u201d (document\u00a0A\/C.4\/77\/L.14<\/a>).<\/p>\n

On \u201cL.13\u201d, he said\u00a0there is a general international concern with respect to the illegal policies and measures taken up by Israel in the territory that has been occupied since\u00a01967. \u00a0These actions have severe impacts on human rights as well as the humanitarian and socioeconomic conditions of the civilian population living under illegal occupation. \u00a0Pointing to Israel\u2019s violations of international law, he said that the reports of the Special Committee and other United Nations agencies show that the human rights crisis has deepened and has particularly affected Palestinian civilians. \u00a0Turning to recent events in the Gaza Strip, he said that Israel\u2019s actions could be qualified as genocide, adding, \u201cThe possibility of a two-State solution is becoming an illusion.\u201d \u00a0The draft resolution contains a call for Israel, the occupying Power, to respect international law and for the international community to adopt measures to guarantee respect of these laws, he said.<\/p>\n

Turning to \u201cL.14\u201d, he said that no changes were introduced to the text, except for updating some dates. \u00a0Expressing concern that the Syrian Golan has remained occupied since 1967, he said that the resolution demands that Israel end its occupation and its repressive policies, including racial discrimination, detention, torture and illegal use of natural resources.<\/p>\n

The representative of Namibia<\/u> introduced the draft resolution titled \u201cIsraeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan\u201d (document\u00a0A\/C.4\/78\/L.15<\/a>).\u00a0Highlighting the \u201cgrave conditions\u201d under which the text is being introduced, he said that Israeli violations have persisted and escalated in flagrant disregard of repeated calls by the Security Council and the General Assembly for the occupying Power to respect its obligations under international law.\u00a0 The text reflects the severity of the current situation, along with the imperative for accountability to stop such violations, protect Palestinian civilians and enable the attainment of justice and peace.\u00a0 Further, it reiterates the General Assembly\u2019s call on Israel to comply with the Charter of the United Nations and its other international legal obligations.\u00a0 He urged all Member States to support this draft resolution, as well as the other texts under this agenda item.<\/p>\n

The representative of Spain<\/u>, speaking on behalf of the European Union<\/u>, made a general statement, saying that there is no justification for terror and the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas. \u00a0Reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself, she called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages, many of whom are European Union citizens.\u00a0 Expressing concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, and calling for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, she emphasized the need to avoid regional escalation.\u00a0 The European Union is ready to contribute to reviving a political process on the basis of a two-State solution, she said, adding that the resolutions under consideration are technical updates and therefore, the European Union\u2019s delegations will be reiterating previous voting patterns. \u00a0Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA is pivotal to delivery of essential services to Palestinian refugees, she said, expressing regret that there was no opportunity for negotiations on the text concerning the Agency, which does not reflect the situation on the ground. \u00a0Stressing that the reference to \u201cPalestine\u201d in the texts cannot be construed as recognition of the State of Palestine, she added that the European Union has not expressed a legal qualification on the term \u201cforced displacement\u201d.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United States<\/u> said that when the current crisis ends, the situation \u201cmust not go back to the pre-October\u00a07 status quo\u201d in Gaza and the West Bank \u2014 one in which Hamas terrorizes Israelis and violent extremist settlers terrorize Palestinians in the West Bank.\u00a0 He underlined the need for a \u201cpositive vision for what comes next,\u201d centred around a negotiated two-State solution that includes both Gaza and the West Bank in a viable Palestinian State. \u00a0The United States is committed to supporting such a solution through constructive measures, but these three draft resolutions do not contribute to this vision as they are \u00a0deeply flawed and \u201cdo not meet this moment\u201d.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the United States will continue to work with all parties to chart a future where Israelis and Palestinians have equal measures of security, freedom, justice, opportunity and dignity, and where Palestinians can fully realize their legitimate right to self-determination and aspirations for a State of their own, he said.<\/p>\n

The representative of Poland<\/u> noted his country\u2019s support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, both on political and financial levels, adding that his delegation decided to maintain its voting manner on the relevant resolutions.\u00a0\u201cWe know very well the consequences of war, invasion and terror,\u201d he said, adding that it is vital to ensure humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians in Gaza. \u00a0All parties involved must allow third-country nationals, including Polish citizens and members of their families, to leave the Gaza Strip safe and sound.\u00a0 Israel has the right to defend itself, he said, calling for immediate release of all hostages.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United Kingdom<\/u>, in an explanation of position, said that his delegation will maintain its voting positions on these three resolutions in line with the\u00a0United Kingdom\u2019s\u00a0long-standing approach.\u00a0Expressing support to the two-State solution, he said that today\u2019s voting does not undermine the United Kingdom\u2019s solidarity with Israel in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks or its support for Israel’s right to self-defence. \u00a0\u201cHamas does not speak or act in the interests of the Palestinian people,\u201d he said, reiterating support for the Palestinian Authority as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. \u00a0He further strongly condemned settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, stressing that \u201cthe settlements are illegal under international law and contrary to the cause of peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Committee approved \u201cL.13\u201d by a recorded vote of 85 in favour to 13\u00a0against, with 72 abstentions.<\/p>\n

It then approved \u201cL.14\u201d by a recorded vote of 146 in favour to 2\u00a0against (Israel, United States), with 23 abstentions.<\/p>\n

Next, it approved \u201cL.15\u201d by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Hungary, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States) with 18 abstentions.<\/p>\n

The representative of Syria<\/u>, in an explanation of vote, said that Member States, through their widespread support for these texts, rejected the forcible occupation of others\u2019 territories and violations of peoples\u2019 rights.\u00a0 They sent a strong signal to Israel to end its occupation of both the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the occupied Syrian Golan. \u00a0Underscoring the right to regain the entire Golan, under occupation since\u00a01967, he said that all measures undertaken by Israel to change its natural or demographic character, or to impose Israeli laws and management, have no legal impact.\u00a0 \u201cThe Golan was, and remains, Arab and Syrian,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine<\/u> noted that \u201cwe are not surprised\u201d by the massive number of co-sponsors and overwhelming support for the draft texts approved today.\u00a0 However, while it is wonderful to reiterate the principles in the resolutions, the international community must move one step forward towards implementation.\u00a0 This is the job of the United Nations and this is how multilateralism must work. \u00a0On the technical rollovers, he noted that the moment did not allow for engagement on changes to reflect the current situation.\u00a0The Council has been paralysed since this aggression started unfolding in the Gaza Strip, where children are under rubble, half the dwellings have been destroyed and the death toll has crossed\u00a010,000. \u00a0This necessitated action by the General Assembly, he recalled, expressing gratitude to the 121\u00a0countries who voted in favour of an Assembly resolution calling for an immediate end to the carnage and killing. \u00a0The international community must implement that immediately, he added.<\/p>\n

The representative of Iran<\/u> said that the adoption of today\u2019s draft resolutions by an overwhelming majority demonstrated strong support for both realizing Palestinians\u2019 inalienable rights, and holding the occupying regime accountable for its crimes.\u00a0 Durable peace can only be achieved by ending the occupation, returning refugees to their homeland and establishing a Palestinian State. \u00a0Responding to remarks made by the representative of Israel, he said that the regime\u2019s shameful history of more than 75\u00a0years can be summed up in a few words \u2014 \u201coccupation, brutality, massacre and flagrant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law\u201d.<\/p>\n

The representative of Switzerland<\/u>, noting that the resolutions do not address the situation on the ground since 7\u00a0October in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, condemned the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas, recognized Israel\u2019s right to ensure its defence and called for protection of civilians.\u00a0 The principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must be respected, he said, adding that humanitarian pauses or truces are necessary to guarantee humanitarian access and meet the needs of the population.\u00a0The international community must not lose sight of the fact that the only foundation on which peace and stability can rest is the two-State solution, he said.<\/p>\n

The representative of Lichtenstein<\/u> said that her country maintained its voting position from last year on the texts of resolutions adopted by the Committee. \u00a0These texts were put forward as a technical rollover in the spirit of diplomatic cooperation and compromise as they do not address developments that have taken place in Israel and Palestine since 7\u00a0October. \u00a0She reiterated her country\u2019s condemnation of the terrorist attack by Hamas, affirmed Israel\u2019s right to self-defence and joined the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.<\/p>\n

Speaking in the exercise of right of reply, the representative of the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea<\/u> said that the allegations made by Israel represented \u201ca sinister disinformation campaign and propaganda campaign\u201d against his country. \u00a0Such actions seek to distract the international community\u2019s attention away from Israel\u2019s most heinous war crimes.\u00a0 The Gaza Strip is increasingly becoming \u201ca living hell\u201d and the Middle East situation is spiraling out of control, he said, urging the international community to take urgent measures to hold Israel accountable for its crimes.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Committee\u00a0acting without a vote, then approved a draft decision titled \u201cProposed programme of work and timetable of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) for the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly\u201d\u00a0(document\u00a0A\/C.4\/78\/L.16<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Seventy-eighth Session, 26th Meeting (AM) GA\/SPD\/798 9 November 2023 Few Substantial Changes Made to Texts amid Ongoing Regional Strife The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved six draft resolutions today, all by recorded votes, relating to the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, as well as a decision regarding its programme […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":301,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[1329],"document-source":[1365,5618,1913,1817],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1945,5449,2237,1741,1785,2153,1745],"entity":[],"document-language":[],"class_list":["post-290610","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-press-release","document-source-general-assembly","document-source-general-assembly-fourth-committee-special-political-and-decolonization","document-source-special-committee-to-investigate-israeli-practices","document-source-united-nations-relief-and-works-agency-for-palestine-refugees-in-the-near-east-unrwa","document-subject-assistance","document-subject-assistance-to-the-palestinian-people","document-subject-golan-heights","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-israeli-actions-in-occupied-east-jerusalem-and-the-rest-of-the-occupied-palestinian-territory","document-subject-refugee-camps","document-subject-refugees-and-displaced-persons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290610","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\/290610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290624,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/290610\/revisions\/290624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=290610"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=290610"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=290610"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=290610"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=290610"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=290610"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=290610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}