New York: The State of Qatar has reiterated that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal, in addition to being an obstacle to peace and economic and social development and threatens the two-state solution.
The State of Qatar reaffirmed that Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the occupied Syrian Arab Golan is null and void and has no international legal effect, and expressed its rejection of illegal practices in Golan, which violate the relevant international resolutions.
This came in the statement of the State of Qatar made by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York, H E Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, before the 4th Committee (Political and Decolonization Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session.
She stressed that a permanent, just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue requires serious negotiations between the two sides, Palestinian and Israeli, on the basis of the agreed upon references, the United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, in order to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and to put an end to the Israeli occupation of the Arab lands, including the Syrian Golan.
She called for an immediate and complete cessation of settlement activities, the return of refugees, and the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, with an emphasis on the necessity not to prejudice the status quo of Holy Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian sanctities, especially Al Aqsa Mosque.
She added that after reviewing the reports presented to the committee under the report clause of the special committee concerned with investigating Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arab inhabitants in the occupied territories, the international consensus has become evident once again to reject Israeli practices that affect those rights, and to reject all violations and breaches of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
She pointed out that Israel must comply with the demands of the General Assembly in its various resolutions under this item, as well as lift the blockade imposed on Gaza Strip, which is causing the deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation of its residents.
Recognising the importance of addressing humanitarian and economic crises in order to achieve stability and create an environment conducive to peace, she said that the State of Qatar will continue to provide humanitarian and development support for the benefit of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory under the directives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Ambassador pointed out that the contributions of the State of Qatar through Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) and the Gaza Reconstruction Committee exceeded $1bn, in addition to the contributions made by civil society institutions, and explained that this support has tangible effects in addressing urgent and long-term needs in many areas, strengthening infrastructure, repairing housing, supplying electric power and providing jobs.
