Qatar stresses need for UN General Assembly to shoulder responsibility towards Palestinian cause

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Friday, December 6th, 2024

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New York, December 6 (QNA) – Qatar has urged the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to uphold its responsibilities under the UN Charter by adopting two critical draft resolutions addressing the Palestinian crisis. These resolutions, scheduled for December 11, emphasize an immediate ceasefire and reaffirm support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which plays a crucial role in alleviating the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Delivering Qatar’s statement at the UNGA’s 10th Emergency Special Session on illegal Israeli actions in East Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories, HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted the importance of these resolutions. The first resolution demands an unconditional and permanent ceasefire to halt violence, while the second focuses on ensuring adequate funding and operational continuity for UNRWA amid its existential financial challenges.

Sheikha Alya emphasized the significance of upholding international obligations. She urged support for longstanding resolutions, including General Assembly Resolution 194 guaranteeing Palestinian refugees’ right to return and Security Council Resolutions ensuring adherence to international law. Qatar also called for action on recent resolutions that affirm Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership and seek an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the illegality of the Israeli occupation.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 44,000 Palestinians killed and countless others displaced due to relentless Israeli aggression, which has extended to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Sheikha Alya decried violations of international law, including settlement expansions, attacks on religious sanctities, and the ongoing blockade, which have exacerbated the suffering of millions.

Qatar welcomed the outcomes of the recent Cairo Ministerial Conference on Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, which emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to deliver sustained humanitarian assistance. The conference underscored the urgency of large-scale aid distribution across Gaza to mitigate the escalating crisis.

Sheikha Alya outlined Qatar’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to mediate peace. In partnership with Egypt and the United States, Qatar has played a pivotal role in negotiating humanitarian ceasefires, prisoner exchanges, and increased aid delivery. While recent mediation efforts have temporarily stalled due to a lack of progress, Qatar remains ready to resume its role when conditions permit, demonstrating its commitment to achieving lasting peace.

Reiterating its unwavering support for Palestine, Qatar called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. This vision remains central to resolving the decades-long conflict and ensuring justice for the Palestinian people.

Addressing broader regional tensions, Sheikha Alya welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and expressed hope that it would pave the way for similar agreements to end violence in Gaza and the West Bank. She urged all parties to adhere to Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, and to work toward a comprehensive peace agreement that ensures stability in the region.

Qatar reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity while commending international efforts, particularly by the United States and France, in facilitating the ceasefire. These efforts reflect Qatar’s broader commitment to promoting peace and security across the Middle East.

As the General Assembly prepares to vote on these critical resolutions, Qatar called on the international community to recognize its shared responsibility in addressing the Palestinian cause. Adoption of these resolutions would signify a collective humanitarian response to the suffering of the Palestinian people and reaffirm the principles of justice and peace enshrined in the UN Charter.

By advocating for these measures, Qatar continues to demonstrate its leadership in international diplomacy and its steadfast commitment to supporting the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people amidst one of the region’s most protracted conflicts.