International law, legitimacy bedrock of permanent M-E settlement, Qatar reiterates

QATAR reiterated that only international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative will lead to a permanent, comprehensive, and just resolution of the Middle East issue. It will result in the end of the occupation of all occupied Arab lands, including the Syrian Golan and the occupied Lebanese territories, the end of settlements, a just solution to the refugee issue, and the Palestinians enjoying their inalienable rights, particularly their right to selfdetermination, and the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution vision.

This was stated by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador HE Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on all items.

The statement from Qatar emphasised that the international community has agreed that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve long-term peace. It also emphasized the importance of not jeopardising the current status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Islamic and Christian sanctuaries, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

According to the statement, the reports submitted to the committee under the item of 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 show that Israel, the occupying power, is continuing practices that are inconsistent with international law, particularly international human rights law and humanitarian law, as well as UN General Assembly resolutions.

The Qatari statement also mentioned the continued expansion of illegal settlements, including recent reports about plans to expand settlements near Jerusalem, reiterating Qatar’s position that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal and a barrier to peace, economic and social development, and the achievement of the two-state solution. The State of Qatar reiterated in its statement that Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the occupied Syrian Arab Golan is void and has no international legal effect.

Qatar has also reaffirmed that the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War applies to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as other Arab territories occupied since 1967.

In light of the deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions, particularly in the Gaza Strip, the statement drew attention to Qatar’s ongoing efforts this year to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian people, as HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani directed the allocation of a USD 500 million grant for Gaza Strip reconstruction.

According to the statement, the UN began the implementation of the cash assistance program to provide assistance to approximately 100,000 needy families in the Gaza Strip at the beginning of last month, using a USD 40 million grant from the State of Qatar over four months.

In light of the global pandemic challenges and the ongoing budget deficit, Qatar praised the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which continues to carry out essential projects and activities in the fields of health, education, and others in the occupied Palestinian territory and the countries hosting Palestinian refugees.

The statement reaffirmed Qatar’s ongoing support for UNRWA’s core resources.

In its statement, Qatar stressed that there is no alternative to the role played by UNRWA, along with other UN agencies and bodies, in meeting the basic needs of millions of Palestinians, which is essential to maintaining stability, until the refugee issue is resolved.

Qatar also highlighted that there is no alternative to UNRWA’s role, along with that of other UN agencies and bodies, in meeting the basic needs of millions of Palestinians, which is critical to maintaining stability until the refugee issue is resolved.

The statement reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to the principle of ending colonialism and foreign occupation, citing the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and UN resolutions on decolonization.

On the Moroccan Sahara, the statement reiterated Qatar’s position, which stems from the country’s belief in resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and peaceful means. The statement stated that the State of Qatar supports the UN Secretary-efforts General’s to facilitate a long-term and agreed-upon political solution within the framework of the UN-supervised political process, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, the most recent of which is Resolution 2548 (2021), in a way that ensures the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco.