YouSaid · the spoken record

Al-Kidwa

lines on the record: 724
first: 1992-01-06
most recent: 2004-10-06
sittings or episodes: 59
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Our policy in this regard is crystal clear: we reject and condemn such acts, and we believe that they do harm to the interests of our people and to the peace process as a whole. At the same time, we do not believe that the occurrence of such acts can be isolated from the tense circumstances and grave situation that have been created by the policies and actions of the Government of Israel. In particular, we point to the grave consequences of the statements made by some Israeli officials, which were full of fabrications and irresponsible positions.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“In addition, the international position has been expressed, and it will also be expressed in the General Assembly in a democratic and decisive manner. The Palestinian and Arab position will not yield. Despite everything, we are still committed to the peace process, to the agreements reached and to the need to work for their implementation. At the same time, however, we are more determined to protect our historic and legal rights, particularly in Holy J erusalem/Al-Quds al-Sharif - the first of the two kiblahs and third holy sanctuary - and on every inch of our land, in accordance with the historical reconciliation between the two sides. If you are committed to this reconciliation, so are we. In a further development, another bombing took place this morning in Tel Aviv.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“At the same time, we will resort to other United Nations bodies, particularly the General Assembly, as - we must not forget - it was the General Assembly that partitioned Palestine, and it will bear special responsibility for it, within the framework of the permanent responsibility of the United Nations with regard to the question of Palestine, until the issue has been resolved in all its aspects. I should like to say a final word to the Israeli Government, our assumed partner in the peace process: do not misunderstand what has happened today, as you may have done in the past. The 13 votes cast for the second time have great importance and deep significance. They reflect the honest position of the Council.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“International legitimacy is our only weapon, apart from our faith in God, the will of our people and our confidence and trust in our brothers and friends. We will resist any attempt to set international legitimacy aside, and we affirm that any such attempt is illegal, illegitimate and even immoral, and will not succeed. We believe that the members of the Security Council must try to solve this serious problem, which has been highlighted today, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and on the basis of respect for the Charter. For our part, we will remain persistent with regard to the necessity for the Security Council to exercise its responsibilities. We hope that it will do so, because we will not vanish; indeed, we will return to the Council in the future, whenever the situation so requires.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“We believe that this seriously violates the provisions of the Charter and is definitely not in the interests of the Security Council and its credibility, or in the interests of the peace process and its continuity. The existence of bilateral agreements between the parties on the nature of the interim stage, as well as the postponement of negotiations on important second-stage issues, do not, and should not, negate the provisions of international law or those of Security Council resolutions. It is the duty of the international community to reject any attempt to exploit the peace process to neutralize the law and leave the Palestinian side subject to the occupier and the existing imbalance of power on the ground.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“It is also difficult to accept that the bilateral negotiations are the only solution, at a time when one of the two parties is imposing new facts on the ground - an action that is the exact opposite and antithesis of negotiation. The bitter reality is that this veto has been cast to shield Israel from the will of the international community and to exempt Israel from the provisions of international law and of the Charter of the United Nations. Using the veto as a matter of "principle", regardless of the text of the draft resolution submitted, seems to elevate to an official position the suspension of the functions and powers of the Security Council with regard to Israel and the situation in the Middle East.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“It is extremely regrettable that this veto has been cast today in the aftermath of Israel's actual commencement, on 18 March 1997, of the building of the new settlement in Jabal Abu Ghneim, to the south of occupied East Jerusalem; and in the aftermath of General Assembly resolution 51/223, which reflected a decisive and near- unanimous position of the members of the international community; and in the aftermath of the escalating tension in the region and the increasing sense of outrage and anger among the Palestinian and Arab sides as a result of Israel's conduct and policies, as well as the statements made by Israeli officials. It is difficult to accept that this veto has been cast to protect the peace process.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“This is also taking place at a time when Israel is violating the agreements reached with the Palestinian side within the framework of the Middle East peace process and is undermining the very foundation of this process, posing a serious threat to its accomplishments thus far and its potential to continue and succeed.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“Consequently, the Security Council has, for the second time, failed to carry out its responsibilities and duties for the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. This comes at a time when Israel, the occupying Power, is continuing to violate international law and relevant Security Council resolutions and is persisting, at the end of the twentieth century, in the continuation of its settlement system, which combines classic colonialism and horrid apartheid-like arrangements. It persists in its unrelenting pursuit of changing the legal and demographic status of Jerusalem, ignoring the natural and historical rights of the Palestinian people there and scorning the feelings and interests of Arabs, Muslims and Christians the world over.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“Mr. Al-Kidwa (Palestine) (interpretation from Arabic): I should like to convey my gratitude and appreciation to all the members of the Council who supported the draft resolution contained in document S/ 1997/241, which was submitted by Egypt and Qatar on behalf of the States members of the League of Arab States. We are fully aware that this support was not easy. Today, the United States of America exercised its veto power for the second time in less than two weeks and for the third time in less than two years, and with regard to the same issue: the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, and in particular in occupied East Jerusalem.”
1997-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3756 (1997) · source
“We will not change our positions vis-a-vis Jerusalem - that is, Vis-a-vis our historical rights in Jerusalem. Therefore, it is our duty to come before all the organs of the United Nations to present our legitimate cause. Accordingly, despite our deep appreciation for the efforts of all, in View of the Council's failure to fulfil its obligations, we will request the members of the United Nations to agree to an emergency meeting of the General Assembly, to be held in response to these developments in order to take appropriate action. Let us hope that the international community as a whole will be able to fulfil its responsibilities and obligations to preserve the peace process and to provide further momentum to ensure implementation of the agreements reached.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“The peace process and the Palestinian-Israeli agreements are in no way reasons for ending the responsibilities of the United Nations, nor are they reasons for the Security Council not to intervene - especially when those agreements have been violated. In addition, the approach proposed by some States seems to suggest that Israel has the right to take unilateral steps and impose new realities on the ground, while at the same time, the Palestinian side should commit itself to resolving through negotiations the problems resulting from those steps. Of course, this has not been and will not be acceptable to us, and I hope that this will not be acceptable to the international community as a whole either. Jerusalem is a central issue to us.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“As far as I recall, that was the first exercise of the veto since the end of the cold war. Today, on 7 March 1997, less than two years later, a second veto has been cast in regard to Jerusalem. We believe that this position will complicate the peace process and will not help advance it. Israel's failure to reverse its decision and to live up to its agreed commitments will be very harmful to the peace process as a whole. We believe that the Security Council remains responsible for international peace and security, including in the Middle East region, and that the United Nations will have an ongoing responsibility regarding the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all its aspects.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“Given the central importance of Jerusalem to the Palestinian people, to the entire Arab and Muslim nation, to the followers of the three monotheistic religions and to the international community as a whole, the Council's inaction stands in stark contrast to the collective position of the international community, as reflected in the Council, the great potential damage of Israel's decision, its impact on the Middle East peace process, and the great harm wrought by the failure of the Council to adopt this draft resolution. On 17 May 1995, the delegation of the United States of America exercised its right of veto against a draft resolution - also on the question of Jerusalem - that was favoured by 14 members of the Council. This occurred following Israel's expropriation of land owned by Arab Palestinians in Jerusalem.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“However, despite the moderation and flexible timing of the text and our response to and accommodation of certain requirements, the Council has been unable to assume its responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security or to adopt the draft resolution because one permanent member exercised its right of veto.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“The central importance of Jerusalem and the grave danger posed by the Israeli decision required the Palestinians and Arabs to insist that the Council adopt a clear draft resolution on this question. It was impossible for them to accept a fluid position incommensurate in content and form with the gravity of the situation. Nevertheless, we displayed the flexibility expected of us by accepting the European proposal as submitted in the hope that the Council would fulfil its obligations and its members achieve consensus.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“Furthermore, I wish to extend our appreciation to all the States that spoke before the Council on this matter to express a clear and unified international position critical of the Israeli decision to build a new settlement in J abal Abu Ghneim in East Jerusalem, demanding that Israel refrain from construction and any other settlement activity in the occupied territories, including Jerusalem, and supporting the peace process and the implementation of the agreements reached between the parties. In this context, the international community has indeed sent a clear message to the Government of Israel, the occupying Power. It is our sincere hope that that Government will receive this message with the requisite wisdom.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“Mr. Al-Kidwa (Palestine) (interpretation from Arabic): Allow me at the outset to thank Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his presence here today. I wish to convey my deep thanks to the Arab member, members of the Non-Aligned Movement and all other members of the Council who voted in favour of the draft resolution contained in document S/ 1997/ 199. I also wish to pay a special tribute to the sponsors of the draft resolution: France, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There is no doubt that the European sponsorship has great political significance and we certainly appreciate Europe's positive role here in the Council and in the peace process as a whole.”
1997-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3747 (1997) · source
“When that comes about, we will all be ableto stop coming to this Council to discuss this issue and to request that actions be taken.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“Further, we believe that the Security Council must take the necessary action by adopting a clear resolution in order to guarantee respect for its relevant resolutions and for international law and to save the peace process. Such goals fall within the Council's responsibility to preserve international peace and security, in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter. Since the start of the peace process, in accordance with its duties and responsibilities, the Security Council has intervened on several occasions to save this process and provide clear support to its sponsors. We appreciate the Council's position and hope that it will be able to play this role once again. We look forward to the establishment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East region.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The General Assembly ended the deliberations of its fifty-first session with a clear position regarding all issues related to the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East, including Jerusalem and the question of settlements. The General Assembly adopted 19 resolutions on Palestine by an overwhelming majority, which is a genuine reflection of the position of the international community. We believe that the Security Council must take this into consideration. Israel, the occupying Power, must cease construction on the colonial settlement in Jabal Abu Ghneim and promptly cease all settlement activities and confiscation of land, as well as any actions that would change the facts on the ground, especially in occupied East Jerusalem.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The Government of Israel must understand that it is impossible to return to, its the practices and behaviour of occupation without creating dangerous repercussions. It must also understand that it is impossible to continue occupying and confiscating land and to pursue the peace process at the same time, and that it is impossible to occupy and claim sole ownership of the city of Jerusalem if it is to establish and maintain peaceful and natural relations with its neighbours and the world. The city of Jerusalem does not accept Israel's exclusive ownership, and there will be no peace in the region without the attainment of Palestinian and Arab rights in the Holy City.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“Such policies, measures and actions are aimed at continuing to alter the situation and the status of the city of Jerusalem and to continue the colonial-settlement campaign in the occupied territories. It was agreed in the Declaration of Principles that the issue of Jerusalem and the settlements, inter alia, would be negotiated in the final stage. This naturally implies that all parties should create no new facts on the ground that would pre-cmpt the negotiations and render them useless. If the peace process is to Security Council 3745th meeting Fifty-second year 5 March 1997 continue and succeed, these Israeli policies and actions cannot continue; such policies and actions would guarantee the destruction of the peace process.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“- The historical shift that followed the signing of the Declaration of Principles in 1993 and of the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1995 between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization has resulted in positive changes in the Middle East region. The benefits of peace began to appear on the horizon for the peoples of the Middle East in particular, and for the whole world in general. Unfortunately. this Israeli Government began to pursue policies that ran counter to the spirit and the logic of the peace process and began to take decisions and actions that were in gross violation of the agreements reached.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“24, to be exact --- reaffirming its applicability to all territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. The policy also violates several Security Council resolutions dealing specifically with settlements, including resolutions 446 (1979), 452 (1979) and 465 (1980). We once again reaffirm the illegality of the colonial settlements and reject any attempt by the Israeli Government to make a distinction between old and new settlements. We also reject all the ramifications of the new construction. including Israel's confiscation of additional land, the establishment of bypass roads, the theft of water and the confiscation of our natural resources.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“We call upon the international community to defend and uphold its decision and to compel Israel to cease ignoring these decisions and violating international law. The Israeli violations in Jerusalem come in the context of the resumption by this Israeli Government of its colonial settlement campaign in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Government has taken a number of decisions and actions resulting in actual construction in many places. In several letters addressed to the Council, we have drawn attention to this matter and to the extremely dangerous situation it produces. Once again, this general Israeli policy, which has been confirmed by the guidelines of the present Israeli Government, clearly and grossly violates the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which this Council has repeatedly validated in many of its resolutions ...”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“Jerusalem was the first Qiblah and is the third Holy Sanctuary; it is of great importance to the followers of the three heavenly religions and to the whole international community. The Security Council's relevant resolutions, including resolutions 252 (1968), 271 (1969), 298 (1971), 478 (1980) and 672 (1990), clearly affirm that any action or measure taken by Israel to alter the legal status and the demographic composition of the city is null and void and has no legal validity. These resolutions also call upon Israel to cease all such actions and measures. The international community has categorically rejected Israel's positions on Jerusalem and has always affirmed that East Jerusalem is part of the territories occupied since 1967. Furthermore, it has never recognized Israeli sovereignty over West Jerusalem.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“This includes, for example, its attempts to enforce this measure on all who are living temporarily outside Jerusalem or who have acquired a second citizenship. Furthermore, Israel has long enforced the isolation of East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories and kept the Palestinian people out of the city, despite the fact that it is their economic, cultural and religious centre. This constitutes yet another Israeli attempt to impose a de facto situation with regard to Jerusalem. It is a blatant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people and defies the will of the international community. All of these actions represent flagrant violations of several Security Council resolutions on the question of Jerusalem, which is of central importance to the Palestinian people, the Arab world and Islamic Ummah.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The Israeli Government also declared, during the second week of December 1996, its intention to implement a plan for the building of a colonial settlement composed of more than 132 housing units for Jewish settlers in the heart of East Jerusalem. If implemented, this plan would place the new colonial settlement inside the original and recognized frontiers of East Jerusalem in the populated Arab quarter of Ras al-Amud, which would also overlook AI-Haram Al-Sharif and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Israeli authorities are also continuing to deprive the Palestinian inhabitants of Jerusalem of their natural and inherited right to live in their city as did their ancestors. Israel treats them like foreigners and has pursued all kinds of illegal manoeuvers and measures to deprive them of their right of residence.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“On 23 September 1996 the Israeli authorities also opened the entrance to the tunnel in the vicinity of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, creating further changes in the nature of the city. In this instance, Israel refused, as usual, to abide by the Council's resolution 1073 (1996), which, in its first operative paragraph, called for "the immediate cessation and reversal of all acts which have resulted in the aggravation of the Security Council 3745111 meeting Fifty-seemid year 5 March 1997 situation. and which have negative implications for the Middle East peace process." (res. 1073 (1996), para. 1) This resolution has yet to be implemented.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“The Israeli Government took this decision despite the efforts of the Palestinian side to prevent it and in disregard of the advice of a number of its friends, as well as in flagrant defiance of this Council, which sought to avert the taking of such a decision and avoid its great inherent dangers. This Israeli measure follows a series of others regarding Jerusalem that constitute a clear policy aimed at the Judaization of the city of Jerusalem and at changing its legal status and its demographic composition. These measures have included the destruction of a building belonging to an Arab association in the Old City in an attempt to confiscate the land beneath it. We raised this matter in our letter to the President of the Security Council of 27 August 1996, contained in document S/1996/699.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“This area is situated within the territory which Israel annexed and considers part of the extended municipal boundaries of the city of Jerusalem. This decision is illegal and in blatant violation of international humanitarian law and relevant Security Council resolutions. It provides for the building of 6,500 housing units on land that was confiscated in 1991 and 1992. This decision, which will bring approximately 25,000 new Israeli settlers into the area, will isolate areas of Arab Jerusalem from 'the southern part of the West Bank in pursuit of a long standing Israeli plan to build settlements around those Arab neighbourhoods and to completely isolate them from the rest of the West Bank, thus creating new facts on the ground.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“Mr. Al-Kidwa (Palestine) (interpretation from Arabic): Allow me first to congratulate you, Sit, on your assumption of the presidencyof the Council for this month. [wish you every success in your work. Allow me also to extend my thanks to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Kenya, for his excellent work, in particular with regard to the item under consideration today. I would also like to take the opportunity to express our deep appreciation to all the members of the Security Council, and in particular to the Ambassador of Egypt, for the valuable meeting that we held this morning with President Yasser Arafat. The Government of Israel, the occupying Power, decided on 26 February 1997 to build a new colonial settlement in the area of Jabal Abu Ghniem in the occupied Palestinian territories.”
1997-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3745 (1997) · source
“We condemn the Israeli attacks on Lebanese villages and cities, including Beirut, the capital. We reiterate our expression of solidarity with the Lebanese people in their steadfastness and determination to bring the occupation of their land to an end. We reaffirm the need for the Security Council to bring an immediate end to the Israeli aggression, thus helping towards the implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 425 (1978).”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“It has been our duty, in the light of continued Israeli policies and measures against our people and our inability to change the prevailing situation through the available mechanisms provided for in the agreements between the two parties, to bring before the Council, and through the Council before the international community as a whole, the true picture of the dangerous situation prevailing in our land and to ask for help in bringing an immediate end to this situation, in support of right and justice and in support of the peace process and its continuation. I cannot end this statement without mentioning the continuing and escalating Israeli aggression against Lebanon, which is causing great suffering to the fraternal Lebanese people in addition to the great harm it is causing to the Middle East peace process.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The engagement of the Security Council cannot but serve the goal of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. It cannot but support the ongoing peace process in the region. This would be in the same direction as other efforts such as the Summit of Peacemakers held at Sharm El Sheikh. We had hoped that the Security Council would be permitted to express an official position with regard to the situation in the Palestinian territory. Nevertheless, despite the lack of such an achievement, the very convening of an official meeting of the Council is a clear indication of the serious concern of the international community with regard to the situation and its negative impact on the peace process.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“We believe that we should work to maintain these achievements and that we must not allow their destruction or the interruption of the continuity of the process, whether as a result of actions by those forces working against peace or as a result of policies and measures which are not compatible with this peace and its essence, and which cause a great deal of harm. We came to the Security Council because we believe that the Council bears responsibility towards the situation in the Middle East and towards the question of Palestine, as a part of its permanent and continuing responsibility for international peace and security. We believe that the Council should not be prevented from assuming its responsibilities and duties in this regard.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“At the same time, we wish to stress our belief that a complete and absolute solution to the problem of extremism and terrorism is linked to bringing an end to the unfair and unjust practices against our people, to the achievement of further political progress in the peace process and to improvements in the living conditions and the difficult economic situation of our people. The peace process has indeed generated several significant achievements, and has brought many important changes to the landscape of the region.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The Authority is doing this based on overwhelming popular support, which was crystallized in the historic election process conducted by the Palestinian people in January of this year, during which our people voiced their political choices clearly in favour of the peace process and gave a vote of confidence and constitutional legitimacy to the Palestinian leadership. We will fulfil our duties in exchange for our people's confidence in order to fulfil our contractual obligations and to preserve the peace process towards the achievement of our national goals in building the independent Palestinian State with Holy Jerusalem as its capital.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“Likewise, the Palestinian side has condemned terrorist acts committed by Israelis, such as the massacres at al-Haram al-Ibrahimi and at al-Haram al-Quds al-Sharif, and the assassination of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The Palestinian National Authority has chosen a clear course towards securing Palestinian national interests in this regard. This entails the maintenance of security, order and the rule of law, and the barring of all illegal groups from operating in its territories. The Palestinian Authority has taken definitive measures to guarantee the implementation of this course, within the resources available to it.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“However, we cannot accept that the suffering of our people should become a commodity in the feverish Israeli election period or at any other time. Once again, what is crucial here is basic commitment to the agreements reached between the two parties, to international law and to the relevant Security Council resolutions. Now what of the Palestinian position? Since the Palestinian side made the peace process a strategic option it has taken a clear position against all acts of terror and violence. The Palestinian side has expressed its clear condemnation of the recent bombing attacks in Israel and of all similar operations.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“In other words, if Israel chooses separation, regardless of its reasons and despite its obligations and commitments, Israel should bear the consequences of that decision and accept complete political separation at the same time. In any event, the basis should remain commitment to the agreements between the two parties, to international law and to the relevant Security Council resolutions. Some have been saying that these Israeli measures and policies are connected to the upcoming Israeli election and their complexities. We are cognizant of the importance of the elections and the various sensitivities in this regard and, of course, we have our political preference: a preference for the continuation of the peace process and for stability in the region.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“Some of these measures have absolutely no relation to security considerations. Some were in place before the bombings, and others cannot be justified even from an Israeli security point of View. We believe that what is more important is a political understanding of the matter. We believe that maintaining security should involve the security of all parties and that under no circumstances should one party take unilateral measures and impose them by force. We further believe that Israel cannot separate itself from Palestinian territory and at the same time impose on that territory isolation from the rest of the world, as if the territory and its people were its hostages.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The real issue is not the volume or intensity of these policies, which leads some to express satisfaction when their severity is lessened. The real issue is the mere existence of such policies and measures in principle and the necessity of putting an end to them once and for all, if we wish to be consistent with ourselves and with the peace process and its essence, and if we want to respect the contractual obligations entered into by the parties. Some have said that these Israeli policies and measures are dictated by Israeli security requirements, particularly following the recent bombing attacks in Israel. We understand Israeli concerns in this regard. However, we do not agree with the diagnosis of the situation or with the remedy prescribed for it, and we reject the basis of these policies.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The intensity of these policies and measures has oscillated several times. However, in the last few weeks it has reached an unbearable level, which constitutes a very real threat to the overall fragile situation. At this time, we wish to express our strong condemnation of all these policies and measures, on the basis that some of them Violate the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which is applicable to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem. These include the collective punishment of our people. Some of them violate provisions of agreements reached between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and they all constitute a violation of the spirit of peace. They threaten the peace process and the prospects for its continuation.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“Perhaps the most striking examples of this are Israel's failure to implement the redeployment of its forces from the city of Hebron, which was scheduled to take place by 28 March 1996; the continued detention and imprisonment of Palestinians in Israeli gaols, despite the agreements reached in this regard between the two parties; the failure to officially withdraw the Israeli military government and dissolve the civil administration following the inauguration of the elected Palestinian Legislative Council; and, as I have said, the failure to implement provisions concerning safe passage between the West Bank and Gaza to connect the Palestinian territory. This briefly outlines the essence of the situation with regard to recent Israeli policies and measures against the Palestinian people.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“Also among these measures are Israel's continued confiscation of Palestinian land, the continued construction of new bypass roads to serve Israeli settlements, and the expansion of these settlements, which all aim at the creation of more illegal facts on the ground. The third field basically concerns Israel's non- compliance with some relevant provisions of the agreements reached between the Israeli and Palestinian sides.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“In addition, these measures were taken by Israel unilaterally, without consultation with the Palestinian side, and they were illegally imposed by military means. The second field involves a set of Israeli measures with multiple aspects, which began with the occupying Power's resumption of the practice of demolishing Palestinian homes and its threats to revert to deportation. It also includes several incidents of political assassination which have occurred in a number of places, including in the territory under the control of the Palestinian National Authority and the territories of other countries as well.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“The various aspects of this Israeli policy were presented in detail in the letter from the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/1996/235). It is clear that this policy goes far beyond preventing Palestinian workers from earning a daily living after the many long years of exploitation to which they were subjected by Israel in this regard. In truth, it represents the elimination of any possibility of creating a viable Palestinian economy, including preventing the development of external trade and a free market. Furthermore, this policy has amounted to isolating the Palestinian territory from the outside world, which has caused serious pain and suffering and has sometimes led to the death of ill individuals and to severe shortages of certain goods and basic necessities of life.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source
“Another aspect is the imposition of restrictions on the entry of the Palestinian people into occupied East Jerusalem, despite the special status of that city as the religious, cultural and economic centre of the Palestinian people. Yet another aspect of this Israeli policy is the closure of the Israeli border to the Palestinian people and to Palestinian goods, as well as the prevention of the entry of Israeli goods into the Palestinian territory or some parts of it. These restrictions have also been applied to goods destined for, or originating from, a third party. The final aspect of this policy is the closure of the borders of the West Bank and Gaza with Jordan and Egypt respectively, or the imposition of serious restrictions on the movement of goods and persons across those borders.”
1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3652 (1996) · source