Security Council Holds Open Debates on Middle East Situation

The United Nations Security Council on Monday held a day-long open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

The meeting came at the request of Mali and Qatar on behalf of the states members of the Islamic Group. Over 40 speakers participated in the debate, including representatives of Israel and Palestine.

Addressing the meeting, Permanent Observer of Palestine Nasser Al-Kidwa said that the council must act in response to the dangerous situation in the Middle East by adopting "the necessary resolution in order to provide the positive emphasis we all need."

He pointed out that since the recent violence began last September, the Israeli occupation forces had killed 572 Palestinians, many of them children, and had "committed many atrocities against our people, some of which are undoubtedly war crimes."

Noting that the origin of the conflict was the existence of Israeli occupation, he stressed that any attempt to ignore this or circumvent it would "only lead to failure in finding the necessary solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Middle East crisis."

The Palestinian Authority condemned bombings in Israel and all acts against civilians, he added.

He emphasized that the Palestinian side was committed to negotiations based on security council resolutions, taking into consideration the developments in previous discussions between the two sides, with the aim of reaching a final agreement on all issues, including Jerusalem, refugees and the borders.

"We call upon the Israeli side to declare the same commitment," Al-Kidwa said. He also expressed hope that the council would adopt a draft resolution on the matter.

For his part, Permanent Representative of Israel Yehuda Lancry said that the Palestinians "have no scruples" about convening a security council meeting while Israel endured orchestrated terrorist attacks, which had killed scores of people, including many children.

"What would any government do in the face of ongoing daily acts of terrorism that spilled blood on the streets and denied its citizens a sense of security?" he asked.

"Obviously, terrorism has become the Palestinian Authority's preferred way to deal with the peace process." He said the security council and the international community should send a clear message that terrorism was unacceptable.

Addressing the meeting, Wang Yingfan, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations said China condemned all violent activities that worsened the tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.

"The Chinese delegation condemns all violent activities that lead to the escalation of the conflict and civilian casualty," Wang said. "We appeal strongly to the two sides to exercise restraint and stop all forms of violence."

"We call on the Israeli government to return the Orient House and other occupied Palestinian buildings to the Palestinian side immediately," he said.

"The two sides should, with the help from the international community, implement as soon as possible relevant recommendations of the Mitchell Report and create favorable conditions for the resumption of peace talks," he said.

In a letter to the council President last Wednesday, members of the Islamic Group stressed the need to consider the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, following Israel's "unwarranted and illegal seizure" of the Orient House, its closure of the Palestinian Authority's political and security offices and other actions.






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