In this article we collected the quotes on Palestine on the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly – 26-30 September 2019.
30 September 2019
Morning Session
The Honourable Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam
“Despite our best efforts, there is an increase in conflicts around the world that has left many displaced, destitute and vulnerable. We see the perpetual struggle of the Palestinian people for statehood and their inalienable right to self-determination continuously being neglected. Prolonged occupation, forced displacement and illegal settlements have deprived them of every human right. This seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly has heard repeated calls for no one to be left behind. However, the Palestinian people have been left behind for as long as they have been fighting for their existence. As the premier multilateral forum, there is no equal to the UN’s role in ensuring that a just solution is achieved, which establishes a sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.”
H.E. Dr. Dionisio Da Costa Babo Soares, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
“It is also for International Peace, Stability and Security that has brought us together today here in New York. The Timor-Leste delegation is certain that the international community continues to strive to finding a solution to the issue of Palestine, Western Sahara, Syria and Yemen and the Korean Peninsula as well as other conflicts.
Timor-Leste affirms its support for a two state solution to the question of Palestine and appeals to the international community to continue efforts towards a just, peaceful, and long lasting solution enabling Palestine to be a full independent state.”
H.E. Ambassador Kim Song, Head of Delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
“From this standpoint my delegation extends full support and solidarity to the government and people of Syria in their strenuous efforts to regain the Syrian Golan occupied by Israel, defend the national sovereignty against the destructive and subversive plots of the hostile forces and achieve territorial integrity.”
H.E. Mr. Ravinatha P Aryasinha, Secretary, Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Delegation of Sri Lanka
“Sri Lanka is concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestine territory including East Jerusalem, where the continuing expansion of settlements across the occupied West Bank is causing increased demolition of homes.
While restating Sri Lanka’s consistent and principles position that the Palestinian people have a legitimate and inalienable right to the natural resources in their territory and to statehood, we further recognize the legitimate and sensitive security concerns of both the Palestinian and Israelis peoples. In this context, Sri Lanka reiterates the importance of the early implementation of the UN General Assembly resolutions regarding the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to statehood and the attainment of the two-State solution on the bases of the 1967 borders. At this crucial hour, Sri Lanka joins the international community in calling for a just, lasting, comprehensive and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in line with relevant international instruments and accepted principles. Indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians will only make realizing an enduring peace more difficult.”
(Note: There is No Afternoon Session)
28 September 2019
Morning Session
His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, Holy See
“The Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which has been going on for a long time, is of perennial concern and it runs the risk of seeing the advancement of unilateral measures and solutions instead of a collaborative response from the international community. How wonderful it would be to start from a concrete and symbolic commitment, which could and should be found for Jerusalem, a place that has a historic vocation to be a city of peace! May the international community agree to resume and realize that intent of the first and fundamental UN resolution for a special status, internationally guaranteed for Jerusalem, which ensures the historical, material and religious character of the holy places to the three monotheistic religions. What a sign of hope this would be for a renewed commitment by the United Nations!”
H.E. Walid Al-Moualem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic
“Instead of working towards peace and stability in the region, Israel has started yet another phase of escalation, heightening regional tensions to unprecedented levels. Israel did not only occupy Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan. It continues to violate international humanitarian and human rights laws and to support terrorism on a daily basis. It has even launched repeated attacks on Syrian territories and on the territories of neighboring countries under false pretexts, in flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter, and relevant Security Council Resolutions. These Israeli violations would not continue and escalate if it were not for the blind support of certain countries that are fully responsible for the consequences of Israel’s actions. Such support became horrifically evident when the United States decided to recognize Israel’s alleged and false sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan, recognize the occupied city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, not to mention the intensive US efforts to undermine the Palestinian cause. All of these decisions are null and void and represent complete disregard of international legitimacy.
Some must understand that the era of the acquisition of land by force has long passed. It is a delusion to think that the crisis in Syria would force us to forfeit our inalienable right to recover the Golan fully to the borders of June 4, 1967, by using all possible means under international law. Moreover, it is a delusion to think that the decisions of the US administration on the sovereignty over the Golan would alter historical and geographical facts or the provisions of international law. The Golan has been and will forever be part of Syria. Israel must be compelled to implement relevant United Nations Resolutions, notably Resolution 497 on the occupied Syrian Golan, and to cease its repeated attacks on the countries of the region as well as its settlement activities. Israel must be compelled to allow the Palestinian people to establish its own independent state with Jerusalem as its capital along the borders of June 4, 1967, and ensure the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes.”
H.E. Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba
“We reiterate our unrestricted support to a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, based on the creation of two States, so that the Palestinian people should exercise its right to free determination and have an independent and sovereign State based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We reject the unilateral action of the United States to establish its diplomatic mission in the city of Jerusalem. We condemn the violence of the Israeli forces against civilians in Palestine and the threat of annexation of the occupied territories of the West Bank.”
H.E. Ann Christin Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
“We emphasize that international law must be respected. International law serves as a basis for conflict resolution and prevention – as in the case of Israel and Palestine. An end to the occupation and a two-state solution within secure and mutually recognized borders is the only way to resolve this conflict.”
H.E. Naledi Pandor, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa
“We know from my experience in history that it will only be through the determined efforts of the UN family that freedom for the people of Palestine can be achieved.”
“We feel ashamed that for over 70 years, the people of Palestine have lived under occupation. In the last year, this occupation has worsened with continued illegal settlement activity and further insecurity for the peoples of Palestine and Israel. As the international community, we must urge for a negotiated settlement to this longstanding conflict.”
H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain
“Chief among these resolutions are the ones pertaining to the Palestinian question, which must be considered and dealt with as an eminently political issue in as much as it relates to issues such as occupation, sovereignty and rights. It should not negatively impact relations between peoples or lead to clashes among religions nor should it impede positive and constructive interaction between them. To achieve peace, the international community should assume its responsibilities by obliging Israel to abide by international resolutions, to halt its policies of annexing, and unlawfully confiscating lands, violating international law, and undermining efforts aimed to reach a just and durable solution to the Palestinian question consisting in the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of the 4th of June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, consistent with the two states solution stipulated in the Arab peace initiative and relevant international resolutions.
In furtherance of the persistent endeavors of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which we have never spared, nor shall spare, any effort to carry on, with a view to enabling the peoples of the region, particularly the brotherly Palestinian people attain growth and prosperity for a better future in all fields, my country convened last June, in partnership with the United States of America, the “Peace to Prosperity” workshop. The event represents a qualitative initiative to enhance development and provide a better life for all the peoples of the region.”
“In the same vein, the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted, last July, an important international military meeting to discuss ways and means of intensifying international cooperation to enhance the security of the region. Furthermore, it is now preparing to host, in cooperation with the United States of America and Poland and the participation of more than 60 countries, yet another international meeting in Manama next month on the safety of maritime and air navigation. This is in follow up to the international conference on peace and security in the Middle East, held in Warsaw last February.”
Afternoon session
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates
“The UAE has participated in regional and international efforts aimed at easing tensions and reaching political solutions to the crises in the Middle East, including Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Palestine. Thus, the UAE believes that strengthening multilateralism is the most effective approach to de-escalate these crises and to address transnational challenges, including extremism and terrorism, to achieve international peace and security. However, multilateralism has not succeeded in resolving existing crises or preventing new ones. Therefore, in order to achieve the goals for which the United Nations was established, we must examine why international efforts were obstructed and explore ways of enhancing the effectiveness of these efforts.”
“The Palestinian cause will remain the central issue of the Arab world. Stability cannot be established in our region without reaching a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution that enables the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. The violations committed by the occupying power against the Palestinians, including the creation of new “facts on the ground” in Jerusalem, will enable extremist groups to exploit the suffering of the Palestinian people.”
H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman
“The establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State with its capital as East Jerusalem is a compelling need to achieve peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence; therefore, an integrated perspective for the special relations between the Palestinian and Israeli parties and the neighboring countries should be formulated. That perspective has to be built on promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and common interests between all the peoples of the region so as to deliver security, peace and economic prosperity. We believe that not establishing a Palestinian State would result in continuation of the state of violence and terror.
The cooperation of the international community and concerned parties in creating a suitable environment to help end this 70 years conflict has become a matter of particular strategic urgency, in order to build a stable and prosperous new Middle East. From the standpoint of our constant positions to support peace and stabilization in the region, we in the Sultanate of Oman, are ready to make every effort in our disposal to cooperate with the international parties so to restore negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis, and support the efforts leading to reaching an agreement based on the two-state solution, which would contribute in achieving security and stability in the region.”
H.E. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
“On the issue of Palestine, the Lao PDR reiterates its hope that the long-overdue Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved by peaceful means and in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.”
H.E. Wilfred P. Elrington, Attorney General, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize
“At present, more than seven million Palestinians continue to suffer under an oppressive regime. We urge a quick and just resolution to this chronic and tragic state of affairs and urge that a two-state solution be reached at the earliest possible moment.”
H.E. Jose Condungua Antonio Pacheco, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique
“We continue to be concerned with the situation that prevails in the occupied Palestinian territories. In this regard, we reiterate our appeal for a negotiated lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue based on dialogue, by with the two States accept to peacefully coexist as neighbors according to the principles of good existence and under International Law.”
H.E. Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
“In like manner, we wish to record our disappointment at the limited progress towards a two-state solution to the generational conflict between the peoples of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine, that would allow the people of Israel to live within secure and internationally recognized borders and the people of Palestine to live in dignity in their own State free from the yoke of foreign occupation.”
H.E. Denis Ronaldo Moncada Colindres, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nicaragua
“We continue to support de-colonization throughout the world, in solidarity with the Palestinian and Sahrawi peoples, with Puerto Rico, and the Malvinas Islands that belong to Argentina.”
H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Hadhrami, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen (Translated from Arabic – unofficial translation)
“The Republic of Yemen reiterates its firm and unchanged position vis-a-vis the Palestinian question and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people – and above all is the creation of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. We exhort the international community to continue to support UNRWA’s efforts for this agency to be in a position to deliver assistance to Palestinian refugees. We must emphatically condemn the pursuit of Israeli settlement activities in the Palestinian territories and the day-to-day violations against the Palestinian people and Muslim holy places. We especially condemn the statements made by the Prime Minister of Israel regarding his intent to annex lands in the occupied West Bank and to impose sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the north of the Dead Sea. This represents an egregious breach of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the other related international resolutions.”
27 September 2019
Morning Session
H.E. Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory, President, Republic of Mauritius
“The Israeli Palestinian peace process is agonizingly stalled. The prospects for the legitimate Palestinian aspirations for sovereignty and statehood is becoming more distant. The suffering of the Palestinian people is further exacerbated by the expansion of settlements, demolition of their houses, closure of key crossings and a decrease in humanitarian aid. Yet, giving up hope for a resolution to this protracted conflict should never be an option. A peaceful future in the Middle East rests on the two-state solution. We appeal to the United Nations and the major players to step up their efforts to support a negotiated, just, comprehensive and long-lasting two-state solution.”
H.E. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, Vice-President, Republic of Indonesia
“Peace in the Middle East will not be possible if we cannot solve the issue of Palestine. We shall not give up on the settlement based on a “two-state solution”. The international community needs to unite to find a solution. At the same time… I also urge for a united Palestine. Unity is the basis for the Palestinian struggle. Without unity… we will only drain our energy and the struggle will never be completed.”
H.E. Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Lesotho
“It should, indeed, be the United Nations that takes bold steps in addressing the question of Palestine and protecting the viability of a two-state solution, with Palestine and Israel co-existing side by side in peace and within internationally recognized secure borders.”
H.E. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister, Hellenic Republic (Greece)
“As a country that enjoys both longstanding ties to the Arab World and excellent relations with Israel, which Greece first recognized when my father was Prime Minister almost 30 years ago, we believe that the Middle East Peace Process must remain alive and lead to a two-state solution, in the hope that one day the area can become ‘a promised land’ for all its people.”
“Greece, along with the Republic of Cyprus, has established constructive trilateral schemes of cooperation with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. Consistent with its stabilizing role in a region confronted with grave challenges, Greece remains fully committed to the principle of good neighborly relations with all its neighbors.”
H.E. Erna Solberg, Prime Minister, Norway
“We always seek lasting solutions. There is so much to be gained if we succeed. This is why Norway is willing to take the political risk of engaging early and why we persist in our efforts over time. For example, we remain committed to a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. As the Chair of the international donor group for Palestine, Norway remains committed to strengthening the institutional foundation for a future Palestinian state.”
H.E. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
“The Palestinian issue must be put at the top of the international agenda. What we lack is not a grand design, but the courage to deliver on the commitments and the conscience to uphold justice. There should be no more regression from the two-state solution and the “land for peace” principle, which represent a bottom line of international justice. For the Palestinian people, to establish an independent state is their inalienable right, something that should not be used as a bargaining ship.”
H.E. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
“The United States set a tough course for abolishing the UN resolutions on international legal framework of the Middle East settlement. It suggests waiting for some “deal of the century”, meanwhile it has taken unilateral decisions on Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. A two-state solution to the Palestinian issue – which is essential for satisfying the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and providing security for Israel and the whole region – is under threat.”
“Yet, on the whole, the Middle East and North Africa still face many challenges. We are witnessing what is happening in Libya and Yemen. Prospects for the Palestinian peace process and implementing the Arab Peace Initiative are on the verge of collapse.”
H.E. Sabri Boukadoum, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria (Translated from Arabic – Unofficial Translation)
“In the heart of the Arab and Muslim world, and for all peace-loving people in the world, the Palestinian issue emerges as a central issue closely linked to many other crises and to regional security in the Middle East and in the world.
Despite the issuance of many binding resolutions by our Organization – and the constructive Arab initiative that unfortunately was not implemented. This has made the prospect of resolving this issue, in accordance with the requirements of international legitimacy, elusive.
Although the majority of the international community condemns the policies and attacks of the Israeli occupier – hence, and in light of this long historical injustice and the continued impunity enjoyed by the aggressor, the unarmed Palestinian people remain deprived of their most basic national rights, including the right to return to their land- in addition to attempts to change their capital, Jerusalem.”
H.E. Khemaies Jhinaoui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia (Translated from Arabic – Unofficial Translation)
“The protracted Palestinian issue remains at the forefront of pressing regional and international issues, whose fair settlement is, we believe, the main gateway to restoring security and stability in the region.
In this context, Tunisia, during its hosting of the 30th Arab Summit held on March 31, 2019, emphasized the central importance of this issue.
Today, it reaffirms that a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question has become an issue that can’t be postponed, so that the brotherly Palestinian people can regain their legitimate rights and establish their independent state on their territory on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of agreed terms of reference and resolutions, international legitimacy, the Arab peace initiative, and the principle of a two-state solution.”
Afternoon session
H.E. Delcy Rodriguez Gomez, Vice-President, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
“There is the question of Palestine, we are all in debt to the heroic people of Palestine for over 50 years. They have been denied their inalienable right to self determination in a free, sovereign, independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
H.E. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minister, Malaysia
“The first act engineered by the Western countries is the creation of the State of Israel by seizing Palestinian land and expelling 90% Arab population. Since then, wars have been fought in many countries – many related to the creation of the State of Israel. And now we have terrorism when there was none before or at least none on the present scale…”
“We need to identify the cause and remove it, but the great powers refuse to deal with the root cause. They prefer military action and sanctions and they will continue to feel to stop terrorism. Malaysia accepts the State of Israel as a fait accompli but it can’t accept the blatant seizure of Palestinian land by Israel for the settlements as well as the occupation of Jerusalem by Israel. The Palestinians can’t even enter the settlements built on their land. Because of this creation of Israel, there is now enmity towards the Muslims and Islam. Muslims are accused of terrorism even if they did nothing. Muslim countries have been destabilized through the campaign for democracy and regime change….”
“The great democracies talk incessantly about the rule of law, but they are selective. Friends may break any law and get away scot-free. Thus, Israel can break all the international laws and norms of the world and it will continue to be supported and defended. The unfriendly countries can do nothing right – there is no justice in this world.”
H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
“Our painful experiences have emboldened us to continue to speak for the oppressed people. We stand firm in our support for our Palestinian brothers and sisters till their just and rightful struggle comes to fruition.
H.E. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, the Public Service, National Security, Legal Affairs and Grenadines Affairs, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
“Without hyperbole, we must now all recognize that the Palestinian peace process is mortally wounded, and near death. Our silence is complicity in the increasingly brazen unilateral usurpations of international law. Neither the two-state solution nor regional peace can survive the ongoing disavowals of bedrock agreements and the enabling silence of our international community. The Palestinian people deserve more than lip service and hand-wringing. The General Assembly, and the Security Council, must be heard unambiguously on this matter.”
H.E. Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
“The issue of Western Sahara remains unresolved and developments in Israel and Palestine seem to bring us further away from the only viable solution of peaceful coexistence – the two-state solution.”
H.E. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
“We want to see meaningful steps being taken to resolve the protracted Middle East issue. We support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with secure and recognized international borders based on relevant United Nations resolutions.”
26 September 2019
Morning Session
H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas – Link to the statement:
President Mahmoud Abbas’ statement at the 74th UN General Assembly >>>
H.E. Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria.
Bulgaria will continue to support all efforts aimed at resuming the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, including those of the Quartet, on the Middle East Peace Process. A two-State solution is the only way to sustainable peace. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is a cause for great concern. It should remain a priority of the United Nations and international community alike.
H.E. Charles Michel, Prime Minister of Belgium (unofficial translation from French).
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been on the agenda of this House for decades. Today, peace seems to be more distant than ever. The situation on the ground is deteriorating, violence and mistrust are growing, while colonization is ongoing.
Yet we must foster the resurgence of a just and lasting peace for the benefit of Palestinians, Israelis and the entire region. The parameters for a just and lasting peace are well known. International law is the keystone of the multilateral order. And any initiative that doesn’t include it will create new injustices and generate new conflicts.
The goal must remain the creation of an independent, sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its neighbors. Israel must enjoy peace and security within secure and internationally recognized borders.
H.E. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg (unofficial translation from French).
The peace process in the Middle East is becoming more fragile over the years. The prospects for a just and fair, and therefore lasting peace, are fading as the political commitment to a two-state solution has dwindled. Recent developments in the context of the election campaign in Israel attest to this. At the same time, recent initiatives of mainly bilateral nature, even if they are presented one day, cannot replace the multilateral actors that will provide international legitimacy to any negotiated solution.
H.E. Isatou Touray, Vice-President of Gambia.
We also reiterate our commitment to the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community must galvanize renewed efforts towards a comprehensive peace process. The conflict has persisted for too long. Palestinians must be allowed to have their own independent state with East Jerusalem as their capital.
Israel must also stop all settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territories as well as respect the human rights of Palestinians. The two sides need to urgently negotiate a political solution to a conflict that continues to affect millions of lives.
We are convinced that the situation requires a credible peace initiative which the United Nations and the international community can spearhead with the support of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in its search for peace in Palestine.
The OIC can play a strategic role in partnering with the UN and other partners by serving as a credible bridge for mutual dialogue and understanding in the search for a comprehensive peace across the Middle East and the world at large. The unique platform that the organization enjoys in the Islamic World can foster interreligious dialogue and intercultural understanding among peoples and faiths of the world.
Afternoon session
H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of Comoros (unofficial translation from French).
I cannot close this chapter without talking about the situation in the Near and Middle East, especially in Syria and Yemen, with a special reference to the brotherly people of Palestine, as well as to other peoples, who remain even today deprived of their basic rights.
Allow me to say that the illegal occupation of Palestine and the savage repression suffered by the Palestinian people are fueling extremism all over.
Thus, it is time for this assembly, just as it did for the existence of Israel, to restore the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, by the creation of a Palestinian state, living in peace with the State of Israel, with East Jerusalem as capital.
Israel Katz, FM of Israel – Link to the statement:
http://statements.unmeetings.org/GA74/IL_EN.pdf
H.E. Charles Savarin, President of Dominica.
We support dialogue and negotiations to resolve the disputes in the Middle East, including the possibility of a nuclear arms race.
H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti (unofficial translation from French).
The resurgence of violence in the occupied Palestinian territories is increasingly closing the prospects for a two-state solution. Those settlements do not only constitute a violation of international law, particularly article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention, but also the human rights of the Palestinians. We firmly condemn the plans of annexation of the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea recently announced by Israel as attempts to extend its sovereignty in the occupied West Bank.
Resource: Palestine Liberation Organization / Negotiations Affairs Department