17 nov 2018
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted, early Saturday, in favor of eight resolutions on Palestine and a ninth on the Syrian Golan Heights.
Palestine’s Permanent Observer to the UN, Riyad Mansour, commented on the vote, saying that it is proof that the international community stands behind and supports the Palestinian cause despite efforts by the United States to change that.
Mansour told Voice of Palestine radio that the UNGA voted in favor of four resolutions related to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and four more on the practices of Israeli authorities in the occupied territories.
He added, according to Ma’an, that the UNGA is going to vote in two weeks, on six more resolutions regarding the Palestinian cause.
A draft resolution “Assistance to Palestine refugees” received 161 votes in favor, 2 against (Israel, United States) and 8 abstentions (Cameroon, Canada, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Solomon Islands).
The draft resolution “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities” received a recorded 155 votes in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
In addition, the draft resolution “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” was approved by a vote of 158 in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 7 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands).
The draft resolution “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues” was approved by a vote of 155 in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
A series of resolutions related to the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories were approved.
Taking up the draft “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories,” the General Assembly approved it by a recorded vote of 77 in favor to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 79 abstentions.
The draft of “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories,” was approved by a vote of 154 in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 8 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
It then approved the draft “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan” by a recorded 153 votes in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
Taking up the draft “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,” the UNGA approved it by a recorded vote of 153 in favor to 6 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States), with 9 abstentions (Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
“The occupied Syrian Golan” was then approved by a vote of 151 in favor to 2 against (Israel, United States) and 14 abstentions.
UNGA called, by it terms, upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan, and in particular to desist from establishing settlements.
It also called upon Israel to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and identity cards on Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan.
Palestine’s Permanent Observer to the UN, Riyad Mansour, commented on the vote, saying that it is proof that the international community stands behind and supports the Palestinian cause despite efforts by the United States to change that.
Mansour told Voice of Palestine radio that the UNGA voted in favor of four resolutions related to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and four more on the practices of Israeli authorities in the occupied territories.
He added, according to Ma’an, that the UNGA is going to vote in two weeks, on six more resolutions regarding the Palestinian cause.
A draft resolution “Assistance to Palestine refugees” received 161 votes in favor, 2 against (Israel, United States) and 8 abstentions (Cameroon, Canada, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Solomon Islands).
The draft resolution “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities” received a recorded 155 votes in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
In addition, the draft resolution “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” was approved by a vote of 158 in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 7 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands).
The draft resolution “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues” was approved by a vote of 155 in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
A series of resolutions related to the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories were approved.
Taking up the draft “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories,” the General Assembly approved it by a recorded vote of 77 in favor to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 79 abstentions.
The draft of “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories,” was approved by a vote of 154 in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 8 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Palau, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
It then approved the draft “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan” by a recorded 153 votes in favor to 5 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States), with 10 abstentions (Australia, Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
Taking up the draft “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,” the UNGA approved it by a recorded vote of 153 in favor to 6 against (Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States), with 9 abstentions (Cameroon, C te d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Honduras, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Togo).
“The occupied Syrian Golan” was then approved by a vote of 151 in favor to 2 against (Israel, United States) and 14 abstentions.
UNGA called, by it terms, upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan, and in particular to desist from establishing settlements.
It also called upon Israel to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and identity cards on Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan.
14 nov 2018
The Kuwait mission to the UN, Mansour Al-Otaibi, has declared that the Security Council decisions on the situation in the Gaza Strip have failed to lead to an outcome.
Al-Otaibi stated, on Tuesday evening, at a conference which followed, “Our situation is clear…We have invited with Bolivia to hold a session in the Security Council….We deplore the Israeli aggression against [the] Gaza Strip and the excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians there. However, we couldn’t settle the situation in the Gaza Strip.”
Al-Otaibi stated, according to Al Ray, that most of the representatives of Member States, during the consultation meeting, affirmed the need for a Security Council move.
Moreover, they endorsed a visit to the Gaza Strip. The Permanent Observer for Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, stated that the Security Council is “paralyzed due to the situation of one state” in a reference to the USA, which inhibits the Security Council from discussing the Palestinian cause.
Al-Otaibi added that the Security Council should move to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip in order to bring back a normal life for its citizens.
The Security Council held the session after a truce was announced, in the Gaza Strip.
Al-Otaibi stated, on Tuesday evening, at a conference which followed, “Our situation is clear…We have invited with Bolivia to hold a session in the Security Council….We deplore the Israeli aggression against [the] Gaza Strip and the excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians there. However, we couldn’t settle the situation in the Gaza Strip.”
Al-Otaibi stated, according to Al Ray, that most of the representatives of Member States, during the consultation meeting, affirmed the need for a Security Council move.
Moreover, they endorsed a visit to the Gaza Strip. The Permanent Observer for Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, stated that the Security Council is “paralyzed due to the situation of one state” in a reference to the USA, which inhibits the Security Council from discussing the Palestinian cause.
Al-Otaibi added that the Security Council should move to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip in order to bring back a normal life for its citizens.
The Security Council held the session after a truce was announced, in the Gaza Strip.
1 nov 2018
Daoud Rezeq Eid Jneid, 37
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has reported that one of its fighters was killed, on Thursday morning, in an accident explosion, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam said the fighter, Daoud Rezeq Eid Jneid, 37, was killed in an accidental explosion “during preparation and training.”
Media sources in Gaza said the Palestinian was killed when a grenade accidentally detonated, in the Civil Defense headquarters, in northern Gaza.
They added that Jneid was killed in the same center which was recently targeted by Israeli missiles and shells.
The Palestinian was from Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has reported that one of its fighters was killed, on Thursday morning, in an accident explosion, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam said the fighter, Daoud Rezeq Eid Jneid, 37, was killed in an accidental explosion “during preparation and training.”
Media sources in Gaza said the Palestinian was killed when a grenade accidentally detonated, in the Civil Defense headquarters, in northern Gaza.
They added that Jneid was killed in the same center which was recently targeted by Israeli missiles and shells.
The Palestinian was from Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
30 oct 2018
The Palestinian Central Council (PCC), which met in Ramallah over two days, decided on Monday to end all commitments in the agreements the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has signed with Israel, suspend recognition of Israel until it recognizes the State of Palestine, end security coordination and end the Paris Economic Protocols.
“In view of Israel’s continued denial of the signed agreements, the PCC, in confirmation of its previous decision and considering that the transitional phase no longer exists, decides to end the commitments of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority towards its agreements with the occupying Power, suspend recognition of the State of Israel until its recognition of the State of Palestine on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, end security coordination in all its forms, and disengage economically from Israel on the grounds that the transitional phase, including the Paris Economic Protocols no longer exist,” it said in its final communiqué.
The PCC also gave the power to President Mahmoud Abbas, who chaired the PCC meetings, and the PLO’s executive committee to implement these decisions.
The PCC also expressed support for President Abbas’ opposition to the US administration’s so-called deal of the Century, accusing the US of siding with the Israeli occupation and of being “part of the problem and not part of the solution.”
It also held Hamas responsible for failing to implement the agreements it had signed with Fateh over the years.
It said calm with Israel is the responsibility of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and not the duty of the factions.
It also stressed, according to WAFA, “our right to resistance by all means as per international law.”
“In view of Israel’s continued denial of the signed agreements, the PCC, in confirmation of its previous decision and considering that the transitional phase no longer exists, decides to end the commitments of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority towards its agreements with the occupying Power, suspend recognition of the State of Israel until its recognition of the State of Palestine on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, end security coordination in all its forms, and disengage economically from Israel on the grounds that the transitional phase, including the Paris Economic Protocols no longer exist,” it said in its final communiqué.
The PCC also gave the power to President Mahmoud Abbas, who chaired the PCC meetings, and the PLO’s executive committee to implement these decisions.
The PCC also expressed support for President Abbas’ opposition to the US administration’s so-called deal of the Century, accusing the US of siding with the Israeli occupation and of being “part of the problem and not part of the solution.”
It also held Hamas responsible for failing to implement the agreements it had signed with Fateh over the years.
It said calm with Israel is the responsibility of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and not the duty of the factions.
It also stressed, according to WAFA, “our right to resistance by all means as per international law.”
26 oct 2018
Jabr Ibrahim Abu Hmeisa, 27
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, has reported that one Palestinian was killed, and another was injured, in an explosion in the al-Boreij refugee camp, in Central Gaza.
Dr. al-Qedra said the Palestinian has been identified as Jabr Ibrahim Abu Hmeisa, 27, and added that another Palestinian was injured in the same incident.
An armed group, calling itself the Mujahidin Brigades, said the Abu Hmeisa was one of its members, and that he died in an accidental explosion, without providing further details.
Dr. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesperson of the Health Ministry in Gaza, has reported that one Palestinian was killed, and another was injured, in an explosion in the al-Boreij refugee camp, in Central Gaza.
Dr. al-Qedra said the Palestinian has been identified as Jabr Ibrahim Abu Hmeisa, 27, and added that another Palestinian was injured in the same incident.
An armed group, calling itself the Mujahidin Brigades, said the Abu Hmeisa was one of its members, and that he died in an accidental explosion, without providing further details.
21 oct 2018
The following is a summary of the opening comments of the United Nations Security Council Meeting #8375 on October 18, 2018, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, the representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, made the following points (summarized below).
According to Mladenov,
Demolitions
OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Efforts) reports 39 Palestinian structures demolished since the last meeting, and in addition to that, there are 13,000 demolition orders pending in area C of the West Bank, Occupied Palestine.
Khan al-Ahmar
The Arab League, the UK, the UAE, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator all urge Israel not to demolish the village of Khan al-Ahmar, (side note : the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar has been postponed until further notice, as of Oct. 20, 2018.
(Update 21 oct 2018 Israel cabinet to green-light forcible transfer of Khan Ahmar Bedouins)
New Settlements
With regards to Israel’s allocation of funds for the construction of 31 new settlement units in Hebron, Mr. Mladenov reiterated ;
“the long-standing United Nations position that all settlement activities are illegal under international law, and an obstacle to peace”
Violence and Settler Vandalism
23 attacks by settlers, where one Palestinian was killed, and 12 injured by settlers since last meeting.
Two Israelis killed, and one injured by a Palestinian.
OCHA reports 1600 trees vandalized,
Reduction in Fishing Zone
The fishing restrictions were increased two times in the last month, from nine nautical miles, then to six, then to three after the last rocket attack. Also after the rocket, all crossings between Israel and Gaza were closed.
Gaza
The Great Return March protests have been expanded to include night protests. Hamas and other resistance groups are allegedly sending incendiary kites causing fires in Israel.
On Oct 12 in Gaza, seven Palestinians were killed and one hundred and fifty injured at the weekly peaceful protest. 2 rockets were fired from Gaza, Israel responded with a series of airstrikes.
The Gazan economy was described by the World Bank as being “in free fall”, with the unemployment rate at 53%, and 70% for the youth. In addition to this, 50% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Mladenov warned of the dire situation in Gaza, and urged the council to act :
“The situation in Gaza is imploding. This is not hyperbole, it is not alarmism, it is reality.”
“All key indicators ; humanitarian, economic, security, and political continue to deteriorate.”
“Since the beginning of this process, the UN has firmly held that we need to make every effort to return Gaza to the control of the legitimate Palestinian government, but, let me assure this council, that barring substantial steps to reverse the current course, this precarious sense of calm is doomed to give way to the mounting pressure, It is already beginning to fray.”
“I’m afraid, that there is no more time for words, now is the time for action, and we must see very clear actions on all sides to de-escalate the situation, otherwise the consequences will be terrible for everyone.”
UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
Some member states contributed a total of $122 million, in a “very impressive collective international effort, that has prevented an immediate shut down of key UNRWA services.”
Mladenov described some hopeful developments :
“a Laison committee agreed on an urgent set of humanitarian project in Gaza – aimed at addressing the immediate needs of the population of Gaza :
these include energy, water, sanitation, healthcare and economic conditions.” “The goals are concrete, they are realistic, and they are achievable.”
He thanks the government of Qatar for their provision of $60 million worth fuel to run Gaza’s electricity.
He implored members of both sides :
“Madame president I appeal to you, I appeal to all council members, and to all friends of Israel and friends of Palestine, to join the United Nations in calling on all sides to step back from the brink. All parties must maintain their continued commitment to the 2014 cease-fire arrangements.”
Mr. Mladenov advised both sides :
“Hamas and other militant groups must immediately and effectively stop all provocations and attacks, including rockets and mortars, IED‘s, attempts to breach the fence, incendiary balloons and kites, tunnel construction, and rein in all of the violence at the border. Israel must restore the delivery of critical supplies to Gaza, and improve the movement and access for goods and people. Israeli Security Forces must exercise maximum restraint in the use of live ammunition.”
“The Palestinian Authority (PA) must not disengage from Gaza and must continue it’s engagement with the international community to help alleviate the suffering of it’s people in Gaza.”“Any effort by any party to block the provision critical assistance, designed to relieve humanitarian suffering must not be tolerated.”
He continued :
“We must never forget, that at its heart, Gaza is not a humanitarian problem, it is a political problem.”
Mr. Mladenov also outline potential next steps:
“Humanitarian efforts are taking place in coordination with, and in support of Egyptian efforts to bring Gaza back to the full control of the legitimate Palestinian government.”
“The government’s return to Gaza, and the lifting of the suffocating movement and access restrictions, are necessary for addressing the humanitarian, the economic needs of the population, in a sustainable manner, but also addressing the very important political challenges ahead. “
“In addition to the unification of all Palestinians under one single legitimate Palestinian National Authority, the bigger picture must also be addressed, an end to the occupation, and the realization of the two state solution, based on relevant United Nations resolutions.”
“Madame President, in closing let me reiterate that we must break out of the endless cycle of emergency responses and stopgap measures. The Palestinian people, whether they live in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, whether they live in Gaza, or as refugees in the region, deserve a sustainable and just solution, just as the people of Israel deserve peace and security.”
According to Mladenov,
Demolitions
OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Efforts) reports 39 Palestinian structures demolished since the last meeting, and in addition to that, there are 13,000 demolition orders pending in area C of the West Bank, Occupied Palestine.
Khan al-Ahmar
The Arab League, the UK, the UAE, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator all urge Israel not to demolish the village of Khan al-Ahmar, (side note : the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar has been postponed until further notice, as of Oct. 20, 2018.
(Update 21 oct 2018 Israel cabinet to green-light forcible transfer of Khan Ahmar Bedouins)
New Settlements
With regards to Israel’s allocation of funds for the construction of 31 new settlement units in Hebron, Mr. Mladenov reiterated ;
“the long-standing United Nations position that all settlement activities are illegal under international law, and an obstacle to peace”
Violence and Settler Vandalism
23 attacks by settlers, where one Palestinian was killed, and 12 injured by settlers since last meeting.
Two Israelis killed, and one injured by a Palestinian.
OCHA reports 1600 trees vandalized,
Reduction in Fishing Zone
The fishing restrictions were increased two times in the last month, from nine nautical miles, then to six, then to three after the last rocket attack. Also after the rocket, all crossings between Israel and Gaza were closed.
Gaza
The Great Return March protests have been expanded to include night protests. Hamas and other resistance groups are allegedly sending incendiary kites causing fires in Israel.
On Oct 12 in Gaza, seven Palestinians were killed and one hundred and fifty injured at the weekly peaceful protest. 2 rockets were fired from Gaza, Israel responded with a series of airstrikes.
The Gazan economy was described by the World Bank as being “in free fall”, with the unemployment rate at 53%, and 70% for the youth. In addition to this, 50% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Mladenov warned of the dire situation in Gaza, and urged the council to act :
“The situation in Gaza is imploding. This is not hyperbole, it is not alarmism, it is reality.”
“All key indicators ; humanitarian, economic, security, and political continue to deteriorate.”
“Since the beginning of this process, the UN has firmly held that we need to make every effort to return Gaza to the control of the legitimate Palestinian government, but, let me assure this council, that barring substantial steps to reverse the current course, this precarious sense of calm is doomed to give way to the mounting pressure, It is already beginning to fray.”
“I’m afraid, that there is no more time for words, now is the time for action, and we must see very clear actions on all sides to de-escalate the situation, otherwise the consequences will be terrible for everyone.”
UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
Some member states contributed a total of $122 million, in a “very impressive collective international effort, that has prevented an immediate shut down of key UNRWA services.”
Mladenov described some hopeful developments :
“a Laison committee agreed on an urgent set of humanitarian project in Gaza – aimed at addressing the immediate needs of the population of Gaza :
these include energy, water, sanitation, healthcare and economic conditions.” “The goals are concrete, they are realistic, and they are achievable.”
He thanks the government of Qatar for their provision of $60 million worth fuel to run Gaza’s electricity.
He implored members of both sides :
“Madame president I appeal to you, I appeal to all council members, and to all friends of Israel and friends of Palestine, to join the United Nations in calling on all sides to step back from the brink. All parties must maintain their continued commitment to the 2014 cease-fire arrangements.”
Mr. Mladenov advised both sides :
“Hamas and other militant groups must immediately and effectively stop all provocations and attacks, including rockets and mortars, IED‘s, attempts to breach the fence, incendiary balloons and kites, tunnel construction, and rein in all of the violence at the border. Israel must restore the delivery of critical supplies to Gaza, and improve the movement and access for goods and people. Israeli Security Forces must exercise maximum restraint in the use of live ammunition.”
“The Palestinian Authority (PA) must not disengage from Gaza and must continue it’s engagement with the international community to help alleviate the suffering of it’s people in Gaza.”“Any effort by any party to block the provision critical assistance, designed to relieve humanitarian suffering must not be tolerated.”
He continued :
“We must never forget, that at its heart, Gaza is not a humanitarian problem, it is a political problem.”
Mr. Mladenov also outline potential next steps:
“Humanitarian efforts are taking place in coordination with, and in support of Egyptian efforts to bring Gaza back to the full control of the legitimate Palestinian government.”
“The government’s return to Gaza, and the lifting of the suffocating movement and access restrictions, are necessary for addressing the humanitarian, the economic needs of the population, in a sustainable manner, but also addressing the very important political challenges ahead. “
“In addition to the unification of all Palestinians under one single legitimate Palestinian National Authority, the bigger picture must also be addressed, an end to the occupation, and the realization of the two state solution, based on relevant United Nations resolutions.”
“Madame President, in closing let me reiterate that we must break out of the endless cycle of emergency responses and stopgap measures. The Palestinian people, whether they live in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, whether they live in Gaza, or as refugees in the region, deserve a sustainable and just solution, just as the people of Israel deserve peace and security.”
