Qatar has reiterated that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal, besides being an obstacle to peace and economic and social development, and threatens the two-state solution.
Qatar reaffirmed that Israel's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Arab Golan is null and void and has no international legal effect, and expressed its rejection of illegal practices in Golan, which violate the relevant international resolutions.
This came in the statement made by HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, before the 4th Committee (Political and Decolonisation Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session.
She stressed that a permanent, just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue requires serious negotiations between the two sides, Palestinian and Israeli, on the basis of the agreed upon references, the United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, in order to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and to put an end to the Israeli occupation of the Arab lands, including the Syrian Golan.
HE Sheikha Alya called for an immediate and complete cessation of settlement activities, the return of refugees, and the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, with an emphasis on the necessity not to prejudice the status quo of Holy Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian sanctities, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque.
She added that after reviewing the reports presented to the committee under the report clause of the special committee concerned with investigating Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arab inhabitants in the occupied territories, the international consensus has become evident once again to reject Israeli practices that affect those rights, and to reject all violations and breaches of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
HE Sheikha Alya stressed Qatar's affirmation that the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949 applies to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967.
She pointed out that Israel must comply with the demands of the General Assembly in its various resolutions under this item, as well as lift the blockade imposed on Gaza Strip, which is causing the deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation of its residents.
Recognising the importance of addressing humanitarian and economic crises in order to achieve stability and create an environment conducive to peace, HE Sheikha Alya said that Qatar will continue to provide humanitarian and development support for the benefit of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
She pointed out that Qatar's contributions through Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) and the Gaza Reconstruction Committee exceeded $1bn, in addition to the contributions made by civil society institutions, and explained that this support has tangible effects in addressing urgent and long-term needs in many areas, strengthening infrastructure, repairing housing, supplying electric power and providing jobs.
In this context, she indicated that this year, $150mn has been provided to address humanitarian needs, including facing the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
With regard to the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, she said that Qatar — within the framework of its belief in settling disputes by peaceful means and through dialogue — expresses support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General aimed at facilitating a permanent and agreed upon political solution.
Regarding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Her Excellency stated that Qatar has increased the level of its donation in favor of UNRWA's basic resources, and stressed the importance of continued international support for it to address the financial difficulties it faces.
On this occasion, HE Sheikha Alya congratulated the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini, on his assumption of his post this year, affirming Qatar's support for him in carrying out his mission, praising the great efforts made by all Agency employees in light of the difficult circumstances on the ground.
HE Sheikha Alya expressed her belief that the general discussion of the items before the 4th Committee at this session is a renewed opportunity to reaffirm the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN resolutions related to decolonization.
She said that the principle of ending colonialism and foreign occupation is one of the important principles that the United Nations seeks to achieve, stressing the need to continue seeking to reach just settlements for all cases before this committee, in accordance with international law, and in a manner that takes into account the specifics of each case separately.
HE Sheikha Alya stressed the importance of constructive dialogue within the framework of the political process under the supervision of the United Nations, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the latest of which is Resolution 2494 (2020), and in a manner that guarantees the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco.
In the conclusion of her statement, she said that the initiative presented by Morocco is a constructive initiative as a basis for any realistic solution to this issue.
She reiterated the hope that the draft resolution that the committee would consider in this regard would be a contribution to supporting the political process and reaching a final solution to this issue in the interest of all parties, security, stability and the constructive cooperation in the region.
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