Qatar reiterates Israeli settlements‘ illegal and an obstacle to peace’
Qatar has reiterated that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal, besides being an obstacle to peace, 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 delivered 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. This would also 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 AlAqsa 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 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.
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, as well as lift the blockade imposed on Gaza Strip, which is causing 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 to create an environment conducive to peace, 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 of housing, supplying of electricity and in providing jobs.
In this context, she indicated that this year, $150mn has been provided to address humanitarian needs, including the need to face the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
With regard to the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, she said 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), she stated that Qatar has increased the level of its donation for UNRWA’s basic resources, and stressed the importance of continued international support, for it to address the financial difficulties.