A/77/PV.42 General Assembly

The United States is deeply committed to a two-State solution and firmly believes that the Israeli and Palestinian peoples deserve equal measures of freedom and dignity. Our main focus is on supporting the parties on the ground and channelling our energy to initiatives that can lead us to that goal. We will work to improve the livelihoods of the Palestinian people, support ongoing efforts that bring the peoples of the region closer together and build confidence that can enable constructive negotiations. The West Bank is mired in a worrying period of heightened tensions, mistrust and violence. We are nearing the end of the deadliest year in the territory since 2004. Approximately 150 Palestinians and 30 Israelis have already been killed so far this year. At this moment the achievement of sustainable peace feels impossible, and yet we must exert ourselves to identify steps to stabilize the situation and explore serious initiatives to end the conflict. However, rather than working to identify those initiatives, we are at this moment engaged in the annual United Nations ritual of rubber-stamping outdated and ineffective resolutions that purport to advance the cause of the Palestinian people but instead reveal a profound anti-Israel bias. Those resolutions are no substitute for what is necessary for peace, which is direct, good-faith negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Continuing to adopt one-sided resolutions will bring us no closer to negotiations or to a two-State solution. Instead of working together to create the conditions that would foster such negotiations, we are squandering more time grandstanding in this Hall. Many of those resolutions task the United Nations with continuing the work of anachronistic and problematic committees, programmes and divisions. Those entities are one-sided and do not serve the cause of peace. In fact, they give a diplomatic veneer to what are in essence anti-Israel processes and programmes. Rather than merely rubber-stamping those resolutions, we should be debating the ways in which we, as Member States in the United Nations, can support the parties and the broader shifts under way in the region. Trying to insulate those bodies by creating open-ended mandates is irresponsible, and worse, those resolutions set us back by perpetuating the false hope that there is a shortcut to Palestinian statehood. In view of that, the United States will continue to refuse to engage on and will oppose any and all one-sided or biased resolutions that denigrate Israel. We encourage others to join us both in that principled position and in working towards practical solutions to the conflict.

I would like to express our deepest appreciation for the tireless and continuing efforts of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, as well as the Division for Palestinian Rights, in supporting our brother people of Palestine in achieving their legitimate aspirations. The United Arab Emirates will continue to reiterate its historical position on the Palestinian question, which was emphasized by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in his message marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (see A/AC.183/ PV.409). He said, “I affirm the unwavering solidarity of the Government and the people of the United Arab Emirates with our brotherly Palestinian people and our support for their legitimate aspirations to their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent State on the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with internationally agreed parameters, including the Arab Peace Initiative”. On that basis, the United Arab Emirates is keen to support regional and international efforts and endeavours aimed at breaking the current stalemate in the Middle East peace process. We also support building confidence between the parties to return to serious negotiations that would lead to a two-State solution, with a Palestinian State living side by side with Israel in peace, security and mutual recognition. We also stress that diplomacy and peaceful dialogue remain the only options for ending the conflict and consolidating peace and stability in the region. In that context, we are concerned about the continued violence and attacks in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly the West Bank. The United Arab Emirates stresses the importance of calming the situation and protecting civilians, especially children. Israel should live up to its responsibilities in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. All the illegitimate practices in the occupied territory must stop, first and foremost the demolition and confiscation of Palestinian land and property, as well as the construction and expansion of settlements, which violate international law and undermine the prospects for a two-State solution and for peace. We also stress the need to preserve the legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem and to respect the custodianship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over its holy sites. In conclusion, the United Arab Emirates reaffirms its continued support for our brother people of Palestine with a view to easing their difficult and deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions. In that context, last month my country signed a cooperation agreement with the World Health Organization to support Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem in the amount of $25 million, to be used to provide medicine and medical equipment. We would also like to take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which continues to play a key role in alleviating the suffering of the more than 5 million Palestinian refugees in the region. We stress the need for the international community and the Organization to continue providing humanitarian and development support in order to enable Palestinians to build their national institutions and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, with a view to realizing security, stability and prosperity in the region as a whole.

First of all, I am grateful for today’s meeting, at which we will adopt important draft resolutions in support of the courageous Palestinian people. Bolivia is historically committed to this cause and would like to reiterate its deepest solidarity with the Palestinian people as we once again bear witness to regrettable incidents that include the loss of innocent lives, in addition to the deaths of more than 200 women and children that have occurred so far this year in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. Like previous speakers, I too want to make special mention of one of the many who died  — the Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed while doing her job as a journalist and reporting on an operation being conducted by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territory. We hope that a comprehensive international independent investigation will be carried out to bring those responsible to justice. We firmly condemn such acts of aggression, as well as attacks on civilian infrastructure. We call on Israel, as the occupying Power, to be held accountable for its constant violations of international law, human rights law and international humanitarian law. We deplore the fact that Israel, as the occupying Power, has continued consolidating its annexation policy and increasing its illegal colonization practices and methods, including settlement building and expansion, in the occupied Palestinian territory. We regret the ongoing punitive demolitions and seizures of Palestinian resources and institutions, as well as the blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has led to the forced displacement of hundreds of civilians. Despite the fact that the situation has been criticized for many years without result, the scale of the human rights violations and crimes committed by Israel recently must not go unpunished. For that reason, I appreciate the presentation of the report (see A/77/295) on the “Economic costs of the Israeli occupation for the Palestinian people: the toll of the additional restrictions in Area C, 2000–2020”. The report shows the inhumane economic harm that has been done to the Palestinian people through the various controls and economic restrictions that every day make their economic development increasingly difficult. The deplorable, even shameful, annual cost of those restrictions is estimated at 25.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) of the West Bank. That means that from 2000 to 2020, there was a cumulative decline in GDP estimated at $50 billion. Worse still, the report states that the cumulative contribution of settlements to the economy of Israel during the same period is estimated at $628 billion. In line with Security Council resolution 1860 (2009), we therefore again underscore the importance of lifting all air, land and maritime restrictions imposed on Gaza by the occupying Power. We believe that the question of Palestine can be resolved through effective, transparent and good-faith dialogue. However, we are surprised to see that there are States in the General Assembly that continue to employ double standards. While they demand compliance with international law, human rights law and international humanitarian law, they point fingers at other States. Although the question of Palestine concerns a conflict that has lasted for more than 40 years and has left hundreds of thousands of civilians dead, they simply fan the flames, which causes more innocent lives to be lost. Instead of seeking a peaceful solution, they take unilateral measures, such as relocating their embassies to Jerusalem and undermining the possibility of a two- State solution. Before concluding my statement, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for its important work and invaluable support on an issue that is so controversial within the international community, and in defence of the human rights of Palestinian women and men. We underscore that despite the financial shortfall and unforeseen events such as the coronavirus disease pandemic, the Committee has continued its work, including training with new kinds of media platforms that technology now makes available to us. Lastly, I want to reiterate our unconditional support for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, so as to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and establish an independent and sovereign State, in line with the previously recognized pre-1967 international borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

We thank the Permanent Representative of Senegal, Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, for his report (A/77/35) to the General Assembly today. Cuba is deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East, which is plagued by violence, interference in countries’ internal affairs, foreign aggression and long-standing conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict  — which lies at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict generally. It is now time to settle the historical debt owed to the Palestinian State and restore its people’s inalienable rights, which have been violated by Israel for half a century through its occupation, repression, collective punishment, destruction and confiscation of Palestinian land and property, forced displacement, colonizing settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and many other violations of international law, particularly international humanitarian law and human rights norms. Those violations have been committed by Israel, the occupying Power, in the context of a foreign military occupation of Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan, since 1967. They continue today and have even increased in recent times. The Security Council should take concrete steps to eliminate this historic injustice and bring to an end as quickly as possible Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, as well as the other Arab territories under occupation since 1967. The blockade of the Gaza Strip should be lifted immediately. The critical situation created by the blockade has resulted in the almost total isolation of the millions of Palestinian civilians in the area and immense deprivation. The serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues. The socioeconomic conditions have deteriorated and are the most unstable they have been since the start of the occupation, leading to an extremely difficult and untenable situation that demands an immediate solution. It will not be possible to achieve a two-State solution or to find a comprehensive, just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine as long as Israel continues to violate its obligations in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, under international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. Cuba also calls for an end to the occupation of the Syrian Golan. We reiterate that all measures or actions that have been taken or may be taken in future to change the legal, physical, demographic or institutional structure of the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as all measures taken by Israel to exercise its jurisdiction and administration in that territory, constitute violations of international law, international agreements, the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, including Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and the Fourth Geneva Convention. They also pose a challenge to the international community. In the light of this complex situation, we cannot forget that we must also seek solutions to other situations that arise within the same geographic area that can affect the prospects for peace. We need a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of the city of Jerusalem that takes into account the legitimate concerns of both Palestinians and Israelis, as well as the fact that any imposition of Israeli legislation, jurisdiction and administration on Jerusalem or the occupied Syrian Golan is not only useless but also hinders the peace process. In his message of solidarity with the Palestinian people yesterday (see A/AC.183/PV.409), our Minister for Foreign Affairs said that the abuses and violations committed against the Palestinian people cannot go unpunished. The international community must demand and support the start of a political process of negotiations that will ensure the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and just and lasting peace for all people in the region. He also said that we condemn the illegal construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and the demolition and confiscation of Palestinian property. That situation requires urgent measures that will ensure full respect for international law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention. In November 2012 the General Assembly took the historic decision to accord Palestine non-member observer State status in the United Nations (resolution 67/19). We supported the decision at the time. Along with an overwhelming majority of Member States, Cuba will continue to support Palestine’s admission to full membership in the Organization. The historical debt owed to the Palestinian people is immense and must be settled. Allow me to conclude by reiterating Cuba’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, underpinned by our principled, clear and unequivocal position in support of self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. We will continue to defend the right of the Palestinian people to a free, independent and sovereign State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the pre-1967 borders, as well as the right of return for all Palestinian refugees.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Secretariat, including the Division for Palestinian Rights and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, for its efforts in support of the question concerning our brother people of Palestine. The recent international and regional developments demand that the international community scale up the efforts that it has made for decades to reach a peaceful, comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. They also demand that we support the Palestinian people in their plight with a view to fulfilling their aspirations and hopes and restoring their legitimate right to establish an independent State, like the other peoples of the world. The Kingdom of Bahrain has accepted a path of peace as a strategic approach to lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, and calls for entrenching a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence there for the good of the peoples of the region and the world. We reaffirm our firm and established position of unwavering support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to freedom, self-determination, return, compensation for Palestinian refugees and to an independent sovereign Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, along the borders of 4 June 1967, based on the principle of a two-State solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant international resolutions. Bahrain continues to be a supporter of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights and to support the Palestinian economy at bilateral and multilateral levels. We have always participated in the essential programmes of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) through our Royal Humanitarian Foundation. We believe in the importance of supporting UNRWA in its pivotal role in easing the suffering of the Palestinian people and ensuring stability in the region. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue to support this just cause, which is the primary and central cause of the Islamic and Arab world. We will continue to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. We call on the international community to scale up efforts to revive the peace process between the Palestinian and Israeli sides and to establish an independent Palestinian State as the strategic path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and ensuring the right of all its peoples to security, peace and prosperity.

We continue to see developments and events occur one after the other. Yesterday the international community marked the International Day of Solidarity with our brother Palestinian people (see A/AC.183/PV.409), who regrettably continue to suffer under an occupation that has usurped their land, spilled their blood and targeted their holy sites through flagrant and systematic violations of all norms and international law. They are still being met with a shocking silence from the international community, 75 years after the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 181 (II), which affirmed the right of Palestinians to establish their independent State. However, that resolution, like other international resolutions on the subject, has not yet been implemented. As I said, the international community is incapable of implementing its own resolutions, at a time when the question of Palestine is being erased through the occupying authorities’ continuing settlement policies, in addition to the systematic and large-scale crimes being perpetrated against defenceless Palestinian civilians, the plans for Judaizing Jerusalem and the actions aimed at imposing a fait accompli, in flagrant violation of international law. Unfortunately, there has been no accountability for the crimes that Israel has committed and continues to commit against our brother Palestinian people. The international community must therefore redouble its collective efforts to mobilize more political and material support to strengthen the Palestinian people’s resilience in the face of the crimes and violations they are constantly confronting. From this rostrum, I want to emphasize Algeria’s full support for the State of Palestine’s request for full membership status in the United Nations. We also support its efforts to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for its crimes, especially its repressive policies and attempts to change the demographic, legal and historical status of the occupied city of Jerusalem, as well as its continuing settlement plans. We call on the international community, especially the Security Council, to take on the historical and legal responsibilities entrusted to it in order to stop the aggression and criminal violations and provide the brotherly Palestinian people and their holy places with the necessary protection, revive a path to a peaceful settlement and return to a serious political process that guarantees a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, in accordance with resolutions of international legitimacy, in order to enable the Palestinian people to establish their independent State, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Based on its belief that a peaceful political path is the only way to resolve the Palestinian question, my country, Algeria, has worked to unite the Palestinian ranks. With the direct personal sponsorship of our President, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, we hosted rounds of dialogue on reconciliation among the Palestinian factions, which paved the way for achieving consensus and ending the Palestinian divisions and resulted in the signing of the Algiers declaration. The aim was to achieve Palestinian national unity by uniting Palestinians around known parameters and rallying them to a united position conducive to realizing the legitimate demands of our brother Palestinian people. All the sister Arab States fully support that important initiative, particularly within the framework of the League of Arab States, which established a high-level committee, headed by Algeria, to follow up on the declaration’s implementation. To those who are counting on the passage of time to legitimize the occupation and normalize the abnormal, I want to say to them that they are delusional. History has shown that people who have rights do not give up on them and that the right of people to their lands is not subject to statutes of limitations. The Arab region will not know stability or prosperity until there is an end to the occupation of all Arab lands. We therefore reaffirm the Arab position at the Arab Summit held in Algiers on 1 and 2 November, which stressed the Arab countries’ adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, with all of its elements and priorities, as the agreed Arab parameter and the main pillar for reviving the peace process in the Middle East. That is also the only way to establish a just and comprehensive peace that ensures that the Palestinian people can realize their legitimate aspirations to establish their independent State, with an end to the occupation of all Arab lands.

I would like at the outset to express my thanks and gratitude to the President for his sincere efforts to ensure the successful conduct of the work of the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session amid the exceptional circumstances that we are living through today. I am also pleased to reiterate our support to the Chair and the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for their tireless efforts in defending the rights of the brotherly people of Palestine, foremost of which is their right to self-determination, and realizing their legitimate aspiration to establish their sovereign independent State based on the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The work of the Committee is vital because it keeps the question of Palestine active in the international arena and draws the world’s attention to the suffering of our brotherly people, whose difficult situation goes against the basic values of justice, dignity and human rights. In his message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (see A/AC.183/PV.409), His Majesty King Abdullah II stressed that the Palestinian question was, is and will remain the central question in the Middle East and the Arab world. Jordan will continue to make every effort to urge everyone to keep it a priority, especially in the light of the ongoing multiple international crises and their political, economic and social effects. We also underscore that resolving the Palestinian question is the key to peace and stability in the Middle East. Jordan will continue to draw the world’s attention to the plight of the Palestinian people, a situation that is inconsistent with the values of justice, dignity and human rights. The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is an inalienable right that has been recognized by the international community and the United Nations for decades. It is also an international responsibility that all of us must shoulder. We must work together to uphold justice and ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, based on a two-State solution, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. Jordan also reaffirms that the Hashemite custodianship of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem is a duty and historic responsibility that Jordan is proud of and honoured to bear. Under the leadership of King Abdullah, Jordan will continue to shoulder that responsibility and strengthen the resilience of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. We will block any attempt to impose a new reality or change the legal and historic status in the holy city, particularly with regard to the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. In conclusion, silence is not an option. Effective practical action must be taken in order to save whatever prospects and hopes for peace remain. The alternative to a clear stance in support of international legitimacy and the right of the Palestinians to freedom and a State, as well as the right of the peoples of the region to live in security, peace and stability, would be deep- rooted despair and the eruption of a conflict that would threaten regional and international peace and security.

At the outset, let me begin by thanking the President for his efforts to ensure a successful seventy-seventh session and for convening today’s meeting. My statement will be brief, because frankly we are bored by hearing the same statements, data and appeals being made. The people of the world are tired of the policy of double standards we have all witnessed on several different international occasions and events  — especially in recent days — the common denominator of which is the double standard on human rights and the application of international law. The Palestinian question is the primary concern of my country, Libya. Our people’s solidarity concerning that issue did not happen overnight and cannot be reduced to a single day or occasion in itself; rather, it is a continuous effort with everyone who stands in solidarity with the just cause of the Palestinian people, who have suffered and continue to suffer the horrors of the occupation. We must therefore all work to achieve justice and support the resolutions of the United Nations to restore the usurped rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish their independent State, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Despite the many international resolutions adopted on the question of Palestine, they have not yet delivered justice to the Palestinian people. Those resolutions did not restore their usurped rights, and their suffering continues. We must therefore ask ourselves: how long will the injustice continue? We all know that peace will not be achieved as long as the occupation authority continues its aggression, building settlements, annexing lands and residential neighbourhoods, constructing fences and imposing its unjust blockade, which is unprecedented in modern times. We consider it our duty to support a settlement of the Palestinian question, and we call on all countries to join us in supporting Palestinians in their struggle to build an independent State. It is time for the world’s conscience to lead it to take action to end that tragedy, establish the principle of a just peace and restore the long-awaited rights of the Palestinian people.

At the outset, I would like to thank Ambassador Cheikh Niang of Senegal, Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, for his introduction of the Committee’s report (A/77/35) this morning (see A/77/PV.41). On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Viet Nam extended its warmest solidarity to the State and the people of Palestine and reiterated the strong support of the State and people of Viet Nam to the Palestinian people’s righteous struggle for independence and freedom. The Palestinian question has been on the agenda of the General Assembly and the United Nations as a whole for more than seven decades and has become one of the longest-standing issues in modern history. Year after year, Member States have come here to discuss and express their strong support for the resolutions tabled on the issue. However, the hopes for a just and comprehensive solution have yet to materialize. Despite the many initiatives and plans that have been introduced, little progress has been made. On the contrary, the recent developments continue to dash our hopes for a future solution. We remain seriously concerned about the continued violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, which has taken a severe toll on civilians, especially Palestinian people. The latest tensions in Gaza and the endless violence in the West Bank only highlight the continued volatility of the situation. This year has become the deadliest for the West Bank since 2005. Against that backdrop, it is all the more concerning to note the inflammatory rhetoric and continued plans for further Israeli settlements and evictions of Palestinian people from their homes. Without an early solution, it is only a matter of time until the next cycle of violence occurs. Viet Nam has consistently been of the view that the Palestine question must be addressed on the basis of international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, ensuring the legitimate interest of the relevant parties, particularly the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. There is no alternative to a two- State solution that includes the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as the capital, peacefully coexisting alongside the State of Israel, with secure and internationally recognized borders based on the pre-1967 lines, and a negotiated settlement, in accordance with international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the Organization. In order to turn that vision into reality, it is of utmost importance to create an environment conducive to negotiations or any paths to peace. Violence, settlement activities, property demolitions and evictions must stop. The rights to life, freedom and happiness of every person must be respected. We have stressed on many occasions that all of the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, have no legal validity, constitute a violation of international law and United Nations resolutions and systematically erode the possibility of establishing a viable and contiguous Palestinian State. The international community, particularly the relevant partners in the peace process, must be committed to working toward a long-lasting solution. We believe that all channels of diplomacy should be utilized, including the Arab Peace Initiative and the Middle East Quartet. We also support all initiatives in that direction proposed by members of the international community. Last but not least, assistance to Palestinians should remain high on the agenda of the international humanitarian community, even in the face of global economic instability and funding scarcity. In that regard, we highly commend the continued efforts of various donors and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to bring much-needed relief to the Palestinian people.

At the outset, my country’s delegation would like to thank the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for its efforts to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights, as illustrated in the Committee’s report before us today (A/77/35). Israel’s continuing aggression as the occupying Power against the Palestinian people clearly demonstrates its disregard for international legitimacy and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. In response, the international community must firmly address the issue and shoulder its full responsibilities in order to end Israel’s illegal policies and practices and completely stop its violations, with a view to ending the occupation, achieving justice and preserving the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to freedom and independence. We also reiterate our rejection of all the racist laws and military behaviour adopted by the occupying Power in its attempt to create a new reality in the occupied Palestinian territories. The ongoing and worsening Israeli acts of aggression against the Palestinian people reflect an unsustainable situation. They are also an illustration of the failure to implement the basic solution, namely, an ending of the occupation and the achievement of the two-State solution whereby an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital along 4 June 1967 borders is created. That is the only way for settling the conflict and achieving just and lasting peace. An immediate international move towards ending the Israeli escalation is necessary; otherwise, it will have catastrophic consequences for all. We must preserve genuine prospects for a just and lasting peace. Accordingly, my delegation condemns all arbitrary practices against unarmed civilians, including systematic arrest campaigns against the brotherly Palestinian people, the continued unjust blockade against the Gaza Strip, repeated acts of aggression against Palestinian civilians, deliberate attacks against women, children and elderly through air strikes, targeting of schools, hospitals, places of worship and other infrastructure, and the banning of humanitarian aid and medical supplies and services. We call on the international community and the United Nations, and especially the Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, to live up to their responsibilities and implement all United Nations resolutions on protecting the brotherly Palestinian people and defending their inalienable rights until a final settlement of the question of Palestine is reached. In conclusion, my delegation would like to reiterate Iraq’s firm position in fully supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, namely, their right to establish an independent State on Palestinian territories along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel also needs to cease its settlement activity on Palestinian territories immediately and comply with all relevant resolutions of the United Nations. The State of Palestine should also become a full member of the United Nations without any further conditions. We call on the States that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so.

At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation for convening this meeting in the context of discussing agenda item 33, “Question of Palestine” and the relevant and important draft resolutions introduced thereunder (A/77/L.23, A/77/L.24, A/77/L.25 and A/77/L.26. We also appreciate the important roles undertaken by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division of Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat, in increasing international awareness about the question of Palestine and the urgent need to reach a peaceful settlement for it on the basis of international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. Yesterday, we celebrated the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, wherein the international community reiterated at the highest level its support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The Prime Minister of Lebanon, His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Najib Azmi Mikati, noted in his letter for that occasion that while decades have passed, the tragedy of the Palestinian people has been ongoing in successive generations, despite numerous promises, resolutions and initiatives. He also said that is lacking in that regard is Israeli willingness, in word and deed, to establish an honourable and sustainable peace. He further noted that the neighbouring countries remain in solidarity with the Palestinian people as they defend the rights of their oppressed brothers against the occupier. The question of Palestine will continue to set the path towards a more stable Middle East, which, in alleviating injustice and tragic sorrow that results from it, sparing no one, serves the interests of all. Indeed, without justice, there cannot be peace in our region. The year 2022 was the bloodiest year since 2005 for Palestinians in the West Bank and other Palestinian territories, 2005 being the year in which the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs began to systematically record the number of Palestinian victims killed. In addition, a significant increase in Israeli acts of violence against Palestinians, with the consent, support and participation of Israeli occupation forces, has also been recorded. Settlement activity remains ongoing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where 9,200 settlement units are planned to be constructed. Since 1967, Israel has built or given permission to build 279 settlements in the West Bank, providing residences for approximately 700,000 settlers. In contrast, Israel counters most Palestinian attempts to develop infrastructure by making it almost impossible to obtain construction permits, as we are reminded every month by the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process in his briefings to the Security Council. Against that bitter reality, the international community should be committed to breaking this ongoing vicious circle and move from merely observing and documenting violations to effectively addressing the situation by implementing international humanitarian law and international human rights law, so that there is accountability for those violations. Since its creation in 1949, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been undertaking extremely important humanitarian work by providing millions of Palestinian refugees with basic educational, health and daily living services. It has provided a safety net for generations of refugees in Palestine and hosting neighbouring States. It has also contributed to keeping the right to return alive for as long as it takes for a radical solution to the Palestinian question to be reached. Guaranteeing UNRWA’s services is essential for the provision of a life of dignity for those who receive those services, making the Agency a pillar of stabilization pillar across the region. We therefore call on all peace-loving countries to guarantee sustainable and predictable financing for UNRWA by providing regular multi-year contributions and through supporting the proposal to have the Agency’s operational costs included in the United Nations regular budget. In conclusion, Lebanon upholds the political solution that we have always called for, namely, achieving just and lasting peace based on ending the occupation and creating an independent Palestinian State along 4 June the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, while fairly resolving the refugee issue and other final status issues in line with the resolutions of the international legitimacy, the latest of which is resolution 2334 (2016), as well as the Arab Peace Initiative, adopted in Beirut in 2002.

First of all, allow us to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this plenary meeting to discuss an issue to which our country attaches special importance, owing to its historically principled position and its firm support for the just cause of the heroic Palestinian people. Seventy-five years have passed since the partition of Palestine. These 75 years have been a period in which the heroic Palestinian people resisted with great courage and dignity the colonial aggression, military brutality and criminal apartheid policy perpetuated until today by the occupying Power with total impunity. We are deeply concerned about the worsening situation on the ground, while the suffering of the noble Palestinian people, victims of violent attacks by the Israeli occupying forces, only continues to be prolonged over time. Israel continues to systematically perpetrate war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people. In the last 20 years alone, Israeli occupying forces have killed more than 10,000 Palestinians, including at least 2,000 children. We ask: where are those who promote the concept of the responsibility to protect? At the same time, over these painful 75 years, hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced within their own ancestral lands, while others have had to seek refuge beyond the borders of their homeland. Attacks have also been launched against vital public and private infrastructure, even in the middle of the worst pandemic of the last 100 years. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly condemns the Israeli aggression against the civilian population in the occupied Palestinian territories. This aggression is proof, inter alia, of Israel’s relentless efforts to change the historical and legal status of the State of Palestine, thus paving the way to consummate its illegal policy of annexation and colonial expansion and undermining any prospect for a political process that would make the two-State solution a reality. It also demonstrates that Israel has no intention of ending the occupation and that it is pursuing policies clearly aimed at gaining total control of the occupied Palestinian territory, while attempting to alter the demographic situation, maintaining a repressive environment for the Palestinians and a favourable one for the Israeli settlers, as reports issued by the United Nations conclude. We also condemn in the strongest terms the occupying Power’s failure to cease its violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territories, in particular relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 (2016). Israel therefore continues its colonizing practices and apartheid policies, in flagrant violation of the human rights of all Palestinian people. We hope that a forthcoming advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice will provide not only the necessary legal guidance to bring us closer to achieving justice, reparations and peace both in Palestine and in the entire Middle East region, but that it will also allow us to keep alive a political horizon for the end of the Israeli occupation. Venezuela believes that it is essential to guarantee this political horizon for an end of the Israeli occupation and for just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in accordance with internationally recognized parameters, international law and the provisions of the relevant resolutions of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, based on a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. It is therefore time for the Palestinian people to live and not merely survive on their own ancestral lands, which are now subject to an illegal and forcible occupation. To this end, we believe it is essential to move forward with a sense of urgency in at least three critical areas. First, the prevailing cycle of impunity must end. Israel must be held accountable before international justice for the crimes against humanity and war crimes committed over so many years. It is precisely this lack of accountability, supported by the international framework of impunity fostered over time by the Government of one of its main partners, a permanent member of the Security Council, that has resulted in encouraging all these criminal practices and policies, which Israel carries out on a daily basis, again, to date, with total impunity. Secondly, as long as there is no end to this historical injustice and no progress in accountability, and as long as the occupying Power continues its shoot-to- kill policies, indiscriminate aerial bombardment, and violence and systemic terror by the Israeli occupying forces and settlers, among other cruel and inhumane practices being committed daily against the Palestinian civilian population, then we must move forward without further delay to adopt those measures set forth in international humanitarian law that provide and guarantee international protection for the heroic Palestinian people. Thirdly, an end must be put to the illegal settlement policy, evictions and demolition of homes, expropriation of Palestinian land, discrimination against Palestinians, arbitrary arrests and detentions of innocent Palestinian civilians, persecution of Palestinian civil society organizations, inflammatory speeches that only encourage fanatical groups and foment, inter alia, the commission of hate crimes and the targeting of religious sites. We are confident that doing so will help not only to reduce tensions and the persistent cycle of violence, but also ultimately end the conflict. We also take this opportunity to reiterate that the international community cannot continue to drag its feet on the situation of Palestine refugees and their right of return. Absent the conditions for the return of the Palestinian refugees, we would like to recognize the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which, despite financial difficulties, is having a real impact on the provision of humanitarian and development assistance to address the tragic reality of Palestine refugees. Moreover, we stress our rejection of the lack of compliance with the provisions of Security Council resolution 497 (1981), which for more than 40 years has demanded that Israel withdraw from the Syrian Golan, while reiterating our rejection of any measure or action taken unilaterally by the occupying Power to alter the legal, physical or demographic status of the occupied Syrian Golan. We also reject all measures by which it seeks to exercise jurisdiction in and administration over the occupied Syrian Golan by force. We conclude by reaffirming that multilateralism and diplomacy provide the tools to reach a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That solution cannot be unilateral, forced or unjust, nor can it be based on double standards or non-existent exceptionalism. It is time to move from rhetoric to action and for the General Assembly to demand that Israel take concrete and immediate actions, which is why we support and call for a vote in favour of all the draft resolutions submitted under agenda items 32 and 33 (A/77/L.23, A/77/L.24, A/77/L.25, A/77/L.26 and A/77/L.27). We in Venezuela are convinced that the two-State solution is the only way to put an end to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. We are sure that such an end will result in peace and stability in the Middle East region as a whole because it will also entail the possibility of moving towards Israel’s withdrawal from the Syrian Golan and the rest of occupied Arab territories. Finally, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and our irrevocable position in support of the defence of their independence, their inalienable right to self-determination and the realization of their legitimate national aspirations in their free, independent and sovereign State of Palestine, within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and as a full-fledged member of the United Nations. We cannot continue to delay the heroic Palestinian people’s yearnings for peace, justice and freedom.

I now give the floor to the observer of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The Sovereign Order of Malta is very grateful for this opportunity to speak on behalf of our organization on the question of Palestine and on resolving the suffering of the Palestinian people, which represent a key and transcendental importance for our work and mission. Since 1993, the collective effort of the multilateral community has continuously negotiated in favour of Palestine’s right to self-determination. However, since the Oslo Accords were initially signed, no transformative progress has been made to alleviate the violence and suffering facing the citizens of Palestine. As the Report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People states: “The stalled peace process and the lack of new initiatives to benefit the Palestinian people’s quest for self-determination have highlighted the need for enhanced global cooperation to reinvigorate negotiations and provide a political horizon leading to a just solution to the question of Palestine and lasting peace” (A/77/35, para. 7). Since 2000, records show that over 10,000 Palestinians have died as a consequence of this conflict. And while this is not matched by an equal number of Israeli fatalities, what it reveals is the intense personal loss and suffering of individuals, families and communities throughout the region and across borders, and it points to the eternal question: “why?” There seems to be no answer; indeed, not only has there been a failure to achieve progress, but regression is taking centre stage. We join His Holiness Pope Francis in expressing hope that the Israeli and Palestinian authorities will “more readily take to heart” the search for dialogue and the building of mutual trust. This, as he puts it, is essential if there is to be lasting peace in the Holy Land. Since the year 1048, the Sovereign Order of Malta has provided medical assistance to the most vulnerable people of society. Our presence in Palestine remains central to our cause. Through employment and medical assistance, we protect the most vulnerable, particularly women, children and refugees, and we try to provide them with hope. We appreciate that 90 per cent of the Bethlehem workforce depends on tourism and religious practices, and the rising tensions and the impact of the coronavirus disease have only exacerbated the decline of the local economy and the poverty that ensues. Through our own hospital, Holy Family, we deliver approximately 70 per cent of all Bethlehem infants, maintaining a survival rate of nearly 100 per cent. Furthermore, we offer post-menopausal gynaecological check-ups, cancer screenings, surgeries and paramedical services. Thanks to our outreach clinics, medical and social care can be brought to mothers and women who live in rural villages, scattered communities or refugee camps owing to their inability to travel to the hospital. Our colleagues in the Alliance of the Orders of Saint John, particularly the Venerable Order of Saint John, is the only voluntary provider of expert eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, treating patients of any ethnicity, religion or ability to pay. Their extensive network provides essential sight- saving and life-changing eye care to the most remote and impoverished communities in the region. Together we serve a population of 2.5 million people, and by protecting sight, we are safeguarding the economic and social independence of people of all ages across the West Bank and Gaza. Our collaborative response towards aiding the victims of this religious and political turmoil is of course central. However, the Sovereign Order of Malta joins many others in this Hall today in saying that our efforts aimed at alleviating this pain and suffering will only be eased when the two-State solution is unanimously recognized and adopted, even if it involves negotiated flexibility. Throughout our work in this region, we continue to champion interreligious dialogue across all levels of human interaction. We remind everyone that at the heart of a political conflict there is a social and humanitarian dimension. Our goal is to promote a culture of global peace that embraces Palestine and Israel.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this agenda item. I should like to inform members that consideration of draft resolutions A/77/L.23, A/77/L.24, A/77/L.25 and A/77/L.26 will take place following the conclusion of the debate on agenda item 32. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 33.

I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt to introduce draft resolution A/77/L.27.

At the outset, I would like to express Egypt’s appreciation for today’s meeting held under agenda item 32, “The situation in the Middle East”, and for the opportunity to address draft resolution A/77/L.27 on the Syrian Golan, which Egypt proudly introduces in the General Assembly every year Egypt is aware that 55 years have passed since the occupation of Arab territories, including the occupied Syrian Golan in 1967. Since then, there have been enormous changes in the region. As is the case every year, Egypt is eager to introduce a draft resolution on the Syrian Golan in the General Assembly under the agenda item entitled “The situation in the Middle East”. We believe that the occupation is unacceptable under any circumstances, but particularly as a means to annex territories of other countries, which is a violation of all principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. The developments in the Middle East in last decade in general and the Syrian Arab Republic in particular must not deter the international community from upholding international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, despite the great pressure on it resulting from the numerous conflicts breaking in many parts of the world. Egypt still believes that international law must be upheld and that escalation and foreign policies based on competition and double standards should be avoided. Only in this way can all conflicts in today’s world be settled in a unified and equal manner. Egypt stresses that we cannot move beyond the current deteriorating situation in the Middle East, unless we respect principles of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy pertaining to all crises that the region is experiencing. Over the last decade, the Middle East region has had to face several new crises in a number of countries. Still, that must not stop us from giving attention to the Arab territories occupied in 1967, whether they be the Syrian Golan, south Lebanon or Palestine. Egypt was the first country in the region to take the first step towards a peace based on justice, respect for international law and the United Nations Charter. Even now, we are still striving to achieve that goal. We cannot imagine achieving peace, security and stability in the Middle East while Arab territories continue to be occupied and de facto control over them remains ongoing. Egypt upholds the need to end the occupation of all Arab territories occupied since 5 June 1967. If the international community is serious about respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law and the inadmissibility of the annexation of territories by force without applying double standards or exceptions, then it must take a firm position about the continued decades-long occupation of the Syrian Golan where there has been no progress towards ending occupation, as called for by relevant United Nations resolutions. All those resolutions confirm the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and reject all unilateral decisions regarding demographic changes in occupied areas. In that regard, Egypt is keen to introduce the draft resolution on the Syrian Golan every year before the General Assembly. This year, the draft resolution retains the same language used last year, with a few technical updates. It recalls Security Council resolution 497 (1981), as well as the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, while reaffirming in particular the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force. It also reaffirms the applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and its applicability to the occupied Syrian Golan. We underscore that settlement building or any other settlement activity by Israel constitutes a change to the very nature of the occupied Syrian Golan. The draft resolution underscores that Israel’s continued occupation of the Syrian Golan is an obstacle to achieving just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region. It requests Israel to resume peace negotiations for its complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan up to the 4 June 1967 border, pursuant to the relevant Security Council resolutions. Egypt hopes that all Member States of the United Nations will support the draft resolution, as last year, in order to reaffirm from all of us the importance of respecting and upholding international law and of rejecting the acquisition of territory belonging to others by force. It also underscores the importance of respecting the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations without applying double standards. Egypt looks forward to the day when security, peace and stability will be realized in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic and in all countries of the Middle East region. That cannot be achieved without the primacy of international law on the global stage.

At the outset, I would like to sincerely thank the Permanent Representative of the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt for introducing draft resolution  A/77/L.27, entitled “The Syrian Golan”. I also thank all the Member States that co-sponsored it. In all the resolutions that it has been adopting every year for more than five decades, the General Assembly has always urged Israel, the occupying Power, to end its occupation of the Syrian Golan. All resolutions have emphasized that all measures taken by Israel to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void and have no international legal effect at all. The Security Council also emphasized in its resolution 497 (1981) the right position of the General Assembly by rejecting the unilateral and provocative decision taken by the Israeli occupation authorities to annex the occupied Syrian Golan, as it considers that decision null and void and of no legal effect. Israel’s intransigence, as the occupying Power, and its refusal until now to comply with relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions reveals the unacceptable inability of the United Nations to compel Israel to end its occupation of the Syrian Arab Golan. The occupation continues with impunity and with protection provided to Israel by the United States of America and other States. Their support to Israel is unconditional at the United Nations and beyond. That has encouraged the Israeli occupation authorities to continue their illegitimate and aggressive policies and to escalate their aggression against the territories of the Syrian Arab Republic, including against civilian infrastructure, such as civilian ports and airports. Those actions endanger the lives of civilians, hinder the provision of international humanitarian aid and threaten peace and security in the region and the world. Israel’s continued defiance of resolutions of international legitimacy and the inability of the United Nations to implement its resolutions are genuine obstacles to achieving just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East as well as security and stability. My country calls on the United Nations to take immediate and decisive measures to implement its resolutions to ensure an end to the Israeli occupation of occupied Syrian Golan and other occupied Arab territories; violations perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces against Syrian sovereignty; the crime of settlement expansion; demographic change; the pillage of resources; the confiscation of land and property; murder; arbitrary arrests; torture; and other serious violations. Those violations constitute a systematic policy that has been implemented for several decades by the occupation authorities in the occupied Syrian Golan and against our people, living under occupation. The Syrian Arab Republic reaffirms our firm commitment to our right to reclaim all of the occupied Syrian Golan up to the 4 June 1967 border. It is a non-negotiable right that is not subject to the statute of limitations. Syria also emphasizes that all decisions and measures taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to change the natural characteristics of the Syrian Golan and its demographic structure or to impose its laws, jurisdiction or administration on it are null and void and have no legal effect, in line with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. Syria again expresses its solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people in their struggle to liberate their occupied territory and create an independent and sovereign State, with Jerusalem as its capital, and to guarantee the right of return for Palestinian refugees, in line with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, primarily resolution 194 (III). We reiterate our support for the decision taken by Palestine to become a full-fledged member of the United Nations, which is long overdue. The majority of the Member States pf the Organization have fought to liberate their territories from foreign occupation, in all its forms. Their people have fought for self-determination and for realizing their aspirations. Now, we urge all Member States to vote in favour of draft resolution A/77/L.27, entitled “The Syrian Golan”. We also urge them to vote in favour of all draft resolutions concerning Palestine to convey the commitment of those States to the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the core principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, in order to demonstrate that those States are determined to end the injustice to people living under occupation and to support them in achieving liberation. In conclusion, I thank and appreciate all the States that will support the draft resolution and vote in favour of it in order to reiterate their principled position in solidarity with this just cause.

My delegation takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Middle East, as contained in document A/77/298, and would like to clarify its principled position on the agenda item. The Syrian Golan is an integral part of the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic and its recovery by the means provided for under international law is an eternal right that cannot be bartered or waived. From the start of Israel’s illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan in 1967, the international community has reiterated its rejection of that occupation and demanded that Israel withdraw from the entire occupied Syrian Golan, up to the 4 June 1967 border. However, in defiance of the just demands of the international community and all relevant United Nations resolutions, Israel has continued its illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan for 55 years and systematically commits heinous crimes aimed at changing the legal and demographic nature of the Golan, seizes land and property, loots natural resources and wealth and implements settlement plans and projects, with the ultimate purpose of perpetrating and prolonging the occupation. The escalating and historical aggression perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces has come under the protection of the United States and Western countries, which leads Israel to continue its violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, thereby endangering security and stability in Syria and the Middle East. In that context, my delegation strongly condemns all practices and actions carried out by Israel that are aimed at seriously violating the territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and urges the international community to take urgent measures to put an end to Israel’s occupation and its aggressive practices. My delegation would like to take this opportunity to express strong support to and solidarity with the Government and the people of the Syrian Arab Republic in their just struggle to reclaim the illegally occupied Syrian Golan and fully restore the territorial integrity of the country. In conclusion, my delegation will vote in favour of draft resolution A/77/L.27 and calls upon all member States to vote in favour of that draft resolution in a show of support for and solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic in its just struggle.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. I would like to inform members that action on the draft resolution will be taken after we take action on the other draft resolutions under agenda item 33, entitled “Question of Palestine”. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 32.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolutions A/77/L.23, A/77/L.24, A/77/L.25 and A/77/L.26. Delegations wishing to make a statement in explanation of vote before the voting on any of the draft resolutions are invited to do so now in one intervention. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote before the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

My delegation acknowledges the consideration of the draft resolutions under agenda items 32 and 33, which express strong support for the cause of Palestine. In addition to the failure to hold the occupying regime accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people, it is regrettable that no progress has been made towards ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands over the past decades, despite the numerous and consistent calls of the international community. The question of Palestine is the longest standing crisis of all time, with no feasible conclusion in sight. It has remained the core issue facing the Middle East and has had reverberating effects, directly and indirectly affecting other issues in the region. As a result, Palestinians have been forced to undergo that historical experience over the course of more than seven decades, with developments in recent years demonstrating that Palestinians have no choice but to continue their resistance against occupation, aggression and violation of their rights. My delegation deems it necessary to reiterate the principled position of the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning the settlement of the Palestinian issue. Our position was formulated within the framework of a four-point initiative to hold a national referendum in Palestine, which was submitted to the United Nations and its Secretary-General on 1 October 2019. We re-emphasize that the only way to achieve sustainable peace in the Middle East is not through the promotion of a discriminatory and selective policy of support for the Israeli regime, while simultaneously condemning the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people against the occupation, but instead through a referendum that gives Palestinian Muslims, Jews and Christians the ability to choose their own political system in order to ensure that they can enjoy their rights fairly and equally. Having stated its principled position today, my delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolutions submitted under agenda items 32 and 33. Furthermore, we consider them a demonstration of the strong support of the international community for the cause of Palestine, in particular the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Regarding the occupation of the Syrian Golan as an integral area of the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, my country strongly condemns the discriminatory and illegal policies aimed at the Syrian population in that area and the efforts to change its physical character, demography, composition, institutional structure and legal status. The Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and has no international legal effect, as stated by the relevant Security Council resolutions. While I have the floor, I would also like to respond briefly to the statement made by the representative of Israel earlier today. He claimed that the Jewish people were expelled from the Middle East and North Africa by Iran and Arab countries. I do not want to provide a substantive response to that nonsensical comment, which contradicts historical facts. However, I would like to reiterate that thousands of Iranian Jewish people, namely Persian Jewish people, currently live in Iran. My Jewish compatriots and their ancestors have lived in Iran for thousands of years. The constitutional law of the Islamic Republic of Iran recognizes their right to freely perform their religious rites and ceremonies. They also have a representative in the Parliament and willingly participate in civil communities, as well as various social activities. It is very ironic that the Israeli regime, which is famous for its authorities’ apartheid policies and war crimes  — all well -documented by various United Nations bodies and agencies — can allow itself to continue to make false accusations against others and then complain about the condemnation of its actions to hide its daily atrocities.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of vote before the voting. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolutions, one by one. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.23, entitled “Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/77/L.23, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, the Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, the Gambia, Guinea, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.

A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Somalia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.24, entitled “Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/77/L.24, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, the Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam.

A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Somalia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour; and the delegation of Costa Rica informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.25, entitled “Special information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Global Communications of the Secretariat”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/77/L.25, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, the Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam.

A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Somalia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.26, entitled “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution A/77/L.26 and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of draft resolution A/77/L.26: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam.

A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Chile informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]

Before giving the floor for explanations of vote after the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Slovenia’s vote in favour of this year’s resolution on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine (resolution 77/25) is a vote in favour of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. With the tensions again close to an all-time high, we need collective efforts to re-establish a political horizon for the negotiations process  — a precondition to bringing the Middle East onto the path towards peace and stability. With our vote in favour, we are reaffirming our commitment to a peaceful, just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on a two-State solution, within the borders set in 1967 and with Jerusalem as the capital of both countries. We hope all sides genuinely recommit to that process, which could enhance stability, increase prosperity and strengthen security for both Palestinians and Israelis alike. We would also like to use this opportunity to thank those involved in the negotiations on all the resolutions for their engagement this year.

Australia shifted from voting against to abstaining in the voting on resolution  77/25, on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, because it believes in a just and enduring two-State solution negotiated between the parties. The conflict in Gaza in August and escalating tensions in the West Bank highlight the risks to peace and security of allowing the status quo to continue. Rocket attacks against Israel must cease. We call on the Palestinian leadership to refrain from incitement and provocation and to foster an atmosphere of tolerance to bring violence to an end. Equally, Israel must cease creating and expanding settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Settlements remain an obstacle to peace and undermine confidence in any peace process. For negotiations to have any chance of success, conditions on the ground must remain stable. We are concerned that unilateral actions by any party damage prospects for peace and undermine the viability of a two-State solution. All sides must respect human rights and international law and do everything possible to protect civilians. Australia continues to believe that references to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the security barrier (see A/ES-10/273) should reflect the opinion’s non-binding character. We do not support the other resolutions considered under this agenda item. Viewing any conflict from only one perspective does nothing to advance the cause of peace. Those resolutions divert increasingly strained United Nations resources and contribute to the disproportionate focus Israel continues to receive in the multilateral system. Australia wants to see a secure Israel living in peace alongside a viable Palestinian State. Our firm and sincere hope is that Israel and the Palestinians will return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. We continue to encourage them to do so.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the voting. We will now hear statements after the adoption of the resolution. I give the floor to the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The EU wishes to thank the Palestinian delegation for its cooperation during our negotiations on a number of resolutions on which action is being taken by the General Assembly. The EU welcomes the streamlining of the resolutions, including through the use of balanced language and a reduction in the number of these resolutions. The EU acknowledges the Palestinian Mission’s decision to no longer present two of the resolutions under the agenda item “Question of Palestine” unless a substantive amendment is required. At this point in time, we would like to put on record that, with regard to all resolutions that are adopted during the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly, the EU and its member States consider that, whenever the Palestinian Government is mentioned, that refers to the Palestinian Authority. Furthermore, the use of the term “Palestine” in the resolutions cannot be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the member States on that issue and, hence, on the question of the validity of an accession to the conventions and treaties mentioned therein.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 33.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.27, entitled “The Syrian Golan”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/77/L.27 and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of draft resolution A/77/L.27: Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Cuba, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Nicaragua, Senegal, South Africa, the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Palestine.

A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Qatar informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]

Before giving the floor for explanations of vote after the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

Argentina voted in favour of resolution 77/26 because it believes that its essential character is linked to the illegality of the acquisition of territory by force. Article  2, paragraph 4, of the Charter of the United  Nations prohibits the threat or use of force against the territory or integrity of a State. At the same time, I wish to clarify Argentina’s position with respect to paragraph 6 of the resolution. Our vote does not prejudge the content of that paragraph, in particular the reference to the line of 4 June 1967. Argentina considers that it is important to make progress in the search for a solution to the Syrian- Israeli aspect of the Middle East conflict to bring an end to the occupation of the Golan Heights. Therefore, the Government of Argentina reiterates once again the importance of resuming negotiations to find a lasting solution to the situation in the Syrian Golan, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of vote after the voting. I now give the floor to the observer of the Observer State of Palestine.

Allow me to express our gratitude to all those who voted in favour of today’s resolutions. We are very thankful that, in spite of everything, for all the resolutions, the votes in favour increased on average by 8 to 10 votes. That is a strong illustration that the international community is still committed to the cause of justice for the Palestinian people. And we thank Member States again for that very strong message that they have sent today. Allow me also to express our gratitude and thanks to the Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, my twin brother, Ambassador Cheikh Niang, and to all members of the Bureau and members of the Committee for their tireless efforts to advance justice for the Palestinian people and for all the great things that they have been doing over the years to get us closer to the finish line, to justice, to the end of occupation and to the independence of the sovereign State of Palestine on the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital and with justice for the Palestine refugees on the basis of international law and resolution 194 (III). We are also grateful for the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat and the Special Information Programme on the Question of Palestine of the Department of Global Communications of the Secretariat. We are also very grateful for the fact that the Secretary-General named the annual training programme for young Palestinian journalists the Shireen Abu Akleh Training Programme for Palestinian Broadcasters and Journalists. By naming the programme after her, we will remember Shireen Abu Akleh in a very deserving way. We are very grateful to those who are sitting in their seats and who stayed the course and listened to long statements and a long debate in the morning and this afternoon and cast the vote the way they did to say to the Palestinian people: “We are with you. You will not be left behind. We will not abandon you. And we will continue expressing our solidarity with you until you attain your inalienable rights.” This evening they are sending the message to our people in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the besieged Gaza Strip and the millions of Palestinians everywhere that the international community is with them, with justice, with international law and with relevant United Nations resolutions. For all those things, we thank Member States again. I will not make this any longer, because it was a very long day. I want to congratulate the President for a courageous statement yesterday (see A/AC.183/PV.409) in the celebration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and for his statement today at the beginning of the debate (see A/77/PV.41). I must also congratulate the President for your his in speaking to us in several official languages of the United Nations. Most important to me, I want to congratulate him for his sophisticated Arabic language. He is really a true Arabic scholar, using the language very well and appropriately.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 32.