Amid growing concerns over expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territories, the United Nations has expressed their support for their unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people in their ongoing struggle to achieve self-determination, independence and sovereignty.
Ambassadors from several nations around the world reaffirmed their commitment for Palestinians’ rights in New York as the international community marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, officially observed each year on 29 November.
In recent weeks, Israeli aggression against Palestinians, arrests and killings of children and forceful eviction of the people from their lands have drawn widespread condemnation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, while reiterating the world body’s support for Palestinians, observed there is no viable alternative to the two-State solution.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe A view of the opening of the exhibit “Palestine: the most universal of national causes” at UN Headquarters. (L to R) are Ambassador Cheikh Niang of Senegal, USG Rosemary DiCarlo, Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine and Ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu of Turkey.
“Only constructive negotiations between the parties, in good faith, with support from the international community and adhering to long-standing United Nations resolutions and long-agreed parameters, will bring about a just and durable solution, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states”, the UN chief said.
“What is needed, first and foremost, are leadership and political will. The efforts of civil society and those on all sides who seek to bridge the gap between Israelis and Palestinians also need to be supported.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said his people have endured more than 70 years of tragedies and crises and yet remain steadfast, the UN News Center reported.
“Despite decades of disappointment and setbacks, we remain committed to a multilateral order that respects and ensures respect for international law,” he said in a message read by Palestinian Permanent Observer to the UN, Riyad Mansour.
“The State of Palestine will continue engaging in efforts aimed to advance the rule of international law, including through the building of our national institutions, spreading the culture of peace and empowering our people, especially women and youth.”
The roughly eight million Palestinians live primarily in territory occupied by Israel, but also across the Middle East in countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
