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

“Nevertheless, we have also noted other initiatives positively, including an initiative put forward by the delegation of the United Kingdom. Palestine, indeed the Arab Group and, of course, the Arab member of this Council, Syria, will be ready to work with all members of the Council to reach satisfactory language, language that will enable the Council to express itself and to take the necessary action in response to the humanitarian situation and to the fact that the two relevant resolutions have not yet been implemented.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We understand the hesitancy on the part of some members of the Council, and we hope that they understand the pressing need, at least from our point of view. We believe that a resolution is necessary that deals with the humanitarian situation on the ground, particularly in Jenin, including the issue of investigating what has happened in the refugee camp there and with the fact that Council resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002) have not been implemented. In other words, at this stage we accept setting aside the issue of an international presence, leaving this important matter to the Secretary-General, his efforts and his consultations with members of the Security Council. There is an Arab draft resolution, one which we believe is appropriate.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Ambassador also made hesitant comments, sounding almost negative about the Secretary-General's proposal or at least about important parts of it, which would render the proposal itself dysfunctional. Frankly, we are surprised that since Bulgaria became a member of the Security Council, its delegation has not shown the expected sensitivity towards the Palestinian situation and the Palestinians' just requests of the Council. We are surprised because we are familiar with the traditionally friendly Bulgarian position. For our part, of course, we will do our best in a very amicable and politically correct way to overcome this strange situation. We are convinced of the imperative of adopting the new resolution.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We have many more casualties. We have many more dead. We have much more destruction. The lives of the Palestinian people as a whole are being destroyed. So please do not try to speak about moral equivalence, Mr. Representative of Israel. We must affirm our full respect for the positions expressed by members of the Council. Nevertheless, I have to admit that we were perplexed at the comments of the representative of Bulgaria. The representative does not see the need for a new resolution. Maybe he has not heard that the relevant Security Council resolutions have not been implemented. Maybe he has not heard about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, including in J enin, and the need for a positive response.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We condemn all types of loss of human life. To tell the truth, if we are to make comparisons, we also believe that what is happening on the Israeli side is much worse than what is happening on the Palestinian side. That is simply because what is happening on the Israeli side is being committed by an army - an army of a State that implements the official policies of a Government, an army whose soldiers have been committing clear, grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and clear war crimes. On the Palestinian side, there are groups committing outrageous and condemnable, illegal acts in direct contradiction to the official policy. One might add to that the fact that what is happening to the Palestinian people is happening on a much larger scale.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“What we are seeing here is the large-scale suffering of the whole civilian population here. No military operation could justify the suffering we are seeing here. It is not only the corpses. It is also children lacking food." I also wish to say a word about the issue of moral equivalence. Some years ago the former Secretary of State, Mrs. Madeleine Albright, whom I highly respect, used to say that there is no moral equivalence between bombs and bulldozers, referring to Israeli settlement activities in the occupied territories. Back then we begged to differ, because settlement activities negated the present and the future of the Palestinian people as a whole. Nevertheless, we understood the logic. Today some people want us to believe that there is no moral equivalence between blood and other blood, between human loss and other human loss.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I am also unable to understand how firing missiles and bulldozing homes with people still inside them could be justified by military considerations. In any case, allow me to take a minute of the Council's time and to read a statement to which many representatives referred yesterday, which was made by the United Nations Special Coordinator, Mr. Roed- Larsen: "The situation is shocking and horrifying beyond belief. It looks as if an earthquake has hit the heart of the refugee camp here. I have just witnessed two brothers digging their father and five other family members out of the rubble. I witnessed a family digging out their son, who was about 12 years old, from beneath the rubble. There is a stench of decay and corpses everywhere here. The scene is absolutely unbelievable.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Yesterday we heard a statement by the representative of Israel, and we feel compelled to respond to one or two of the points raised in that statement, out of the many outrageous positions contained therein. In that statement, the Israeli representative said: "The use of the term 'massacre' in the context of the battle that took place in Jenin is of course politically convenient for the Palestinian side. It is a distortion that attempts to create a moral equivalence between the suicide bomber, who deliberately targets civilians, and the soldier, whose mission is to protect against them." Frankly, I am not aware of any people who would welcome being massacred for the sake of political convenience.”
2002-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515Resumption1 (2002) · source
“I must repeat at this point that the first, indeed the only, step now needed is the immediate implementation of resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002), particularly with regard to immediate Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities, which would pave the way to the situation on the ground of before September 2000. In the absence of that, there can be no talk of any other step. In the absence of such a step, I fear that Mr. Sharon and his Government will take us all in the region, and perhaps even outside the region, to the brink. Let us all make sure that that does not happen.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“Then, a successful conference leading to negotiation among the parties on the details, and working rapidly towards a final settlement, may be convened. We agree with those who speak of the need to find a means to reconcile the traditional resolutions of the Security Council, 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and the new initiatives, including Mr. Powell's statement in Louisville, resolution 1397 (2002) and Prince Abdullah's initiative, which then became a resolution of the Arab Summit. We must find this road. It is the road towards a solution and peace. It is a road that allows for the implementation of the Secretary- General's proposal made today.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“It is an idea that the Palestinian and Arab side had set forth in the past. However, let me be clear at this point. Such a conference must, in the first place, be international, meaning full participation of the members of the "quartet" - the United Nations, the United States, the Russian Federation and the European Union - as well as others. Secondly, the conference must take up all aspects of the problem in the Middle East, including the Syrian-Israeli track. Thirdly, and what is most important, the conference must be based on a comprehensive and detailed political vision, to be agreed upon before the convening of the conference. The conference should not be a mere mechanism, but should rather set forth a comprehensive and substantial plan. Substance, I would like to stress, should be first and foremost.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“The two parties must agree to implement what has been agreed upon so far in order to find a political climate and a means that can be achieved through the Secretary-General's proposal. We should like to express our satisfaction at the widespread understanding on the need to take up all issues, including security and political issues. We welcome the statements on the need to revitalize the political track in order to achieve the vision of two States, Palestinian and Israeli. We have lately been apprised of the idea of an international conference. At this point, I shall not take up the ludicrous statements being made by the Israeli side regarding the participation of the Palestinian side. Frankly, such statements cannot be dealt with seriously. I do, however, want to take up the idea itself.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“On many occasions we attempted to cooperate with a number of Security Council members, including the members of the Non-Aligned Movement caucus and France, in order to work towards forming an observer force, or even a force of civilian observers. Unfortunately, we have not succeeded thus far. Now we agree with the Secretary-General that observers will not be able to undertake the required mission. We call on the Security Council to quickly respond to the Secretary-General and adopt his specific proposal in this regard. The Palestinian Authority must be given an opportunity to rebuild its infrastructures, including its security apparatus. Some protection must be provided to our people, and some confidence in peace must be revitalized among them.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“The Secretary-General has repeatedly expressed clear positions on the current tragedy, including calling on the Security Council to take the necessary measures. His doing so undoubtedly proceeds from his great moral and political responsibilities. We salute the Secretary-General, and we call upon the Council to respond to him, as it has always done. Today, the Secretary-General presented a detailed briefing on his clear position that the Security Council must create a credible and effective multinational force, composed of States ready to participate, that should be dispatched to the Palestinian territories, all under the provisions of Chapter VII of the Charter. We have always called for an international presence in the Palestinian occupied territory, including Jerusalem.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“The Israeli side has openly rejected the Council's resolutions and the appeals of the world's leaders. It persists in its aggression, all the while flouting the will of the Council, international law and international humanitarian law. The question must now be asked: what does the Security Council intend to do? We believe that it must invoke Chapter VII of the Charter to enforce the implementation of its resolutions. The least we can expect is that the Council will show seriousness in the level of respect for its resolutions and in condemning the crimes perpetrated by the Israeli side. At the moment, our expectations are very low. We call upon the Council to consider and then adopt the draft resolution now before it, contained in document S/2002/363.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“For our part, we expressed our readiness to cooperate fully with Mr. Powell in the immediate implementation of resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002) and on the political front. For their part, Mr. Sharon and the Israeli Government took all the necessary stands to ensure the failure of the Secretary's mission, including refusing to withdraw from Palestinian cities and ignoring for 14 days Mr. Bush's call for an end to military activity and a beginning of withdrawal. Still worse, they refused to withdraw, even after the Secretary's arrival. They persisted in creating new facts on the ground, including besieging cities from which they had previously withdrawn and continuing to carry out military activities, to occupy other cities and to lay siege to President Arafat's headquarters and to the Church of the Nativity.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“The Palestinian side will not accept any negotiation or conditions with respect to the implementation of those resolutions. We insist on their immediate implementation. One week ago in Madrid, in the presence of the Secretary-General, the "quartet" adopted an important statement in that regard. That same day, the Security Council adopted a statement supporting the "quartet" statement and insisting on the immediate implementation of resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002). That statement gave us hope. Along with our Arab brethren, we agreed to delay required Council action until results were visible on the horizon. It is also known that the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Colin Powell, visited the region in an attempt to stem the deterioration, to control the situation and to revive the political track.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“Aside from the fact that all this is politically unacceptable, that the situation under siege is unbearable from a humanitarian point of view, and that it constitutes a grave and gross violation of international norms, even religious norms, it is truly shameful that some parties apparently accept the Israeli conditions for ending the sieges - conditions that in themselves are grave violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, including the deportation of Palestinians inside the Church of the Nativity, and of whatever is left of the agreements between the parties such as handing over some individuals from the President's office. We condemn that strongly. We condemn any condoning of the Israeli position, which is an escalation of its rejection of Security Council resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002).”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“Then there is the military siege of the Ramallah headquarters of President Arafat, the leader of our people and our national symbol, and the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“First, there was a massacre in Jenin, regardless of the number of casualties. Secondly, war crimes were perpetrated everywhere else - not only in Jenin. Civilian areas, including heavily populated areas, were fired on with heavy weapons, resulting in extensive, astonishing destruction. Even the ancient towns of Nablus, Jenin and Bethlehem were razed. Water and electricity networks, roads, buildings and various ministries with all their records and archives were destroyed. Males were grouped together, abducted and detained, with approximately 5,000 detainees currently in mass detention camps. More than 1 million Palestinians have been subjected to collective punishment that is continuing now, including a curfew and deprivation of essential needs.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“In the past, we have called the States of the world to indict General Shaul Mufaz, Commander of the Israel Defence Force, for acts of murder against civilians. We repeat that call and specifically mention the commanders of the military units that participated in the Jenin camp massacre. Over the past years, many massacres have been carried out against the Palestinian people, from the massacres at Deir Yassin and Kafr Kassem to that at Khan Yunis. All of those massacres were directly related, and they were linked to one person named Ariel Sharon - Colonel Sharon in Qibia, Defence Minister Sharon in Sabra and Shatilla. Such massacres must not be repeated. The international community must ensure that they do not happen again, and that begins with taking a genuine, serious stand on the Jenin massacre. Let me be clear.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“An even uglier crime occurred when the occupation forces for more than ten days prevented the International Red Cross, the Palestinian Red Crescent, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and other humanitarian organizations from entering the camp or providing any form of emergency assistance. Thus, the wounded suffered under the rubble, the dead lay where they fell and the corpses could not be recovered by their relatives. Even now, the occupation forces are imposing tight restrictions on the entry of humanitarian, food and medical supplies as well as on the media and on the entry of necessary equipment and specialized teams. That alone is a war crime whose perpetrators must be brought to justice.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“The Israeli forces have committed gross violations of the fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, including the premeditated killing of civilians and wide-ranging, intensive destruction. The war crimes committed by Israel are merely a part of a premeditated plan to destroy not only the Palestinian Authority but also Palestinian infrastructure as a means of destroying the very present and future of the Palestinian people. In the Jenin refugee camp, the horrific Israeli acts went even further, with revelations of a wide-ranging massacre perpetrated against the camp's inhabitants, including women and children. Helicopters launched missiles into the camp, where 15,000 people live in an area of only 1 square kilometre. Bulldozers demolished homes, in many cases with the inhabitants still inside.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“Mr. Al-Kidwa (Palestine) (spoke in Arabic): I thank you, Mr. President, for responding to the request by the Arab Group to convene this meeting. For the twentieth consecutive day, the intensive Israeli military aggression continues against the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority - despite Security Council resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002) and despite the appeals from all corners of the Earth calling for an end to the Israeli aggression and for the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps which they have occupied since the beginning of this latest military aggression. As time passes, the horrific consequences of the Israeli aggression are coming to light, specifically the shocking humanitarian situation on the ground.”
2002-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4515 (2002) · source
“What we said was clear, that what is happening now in the Palestinian cities, what is being committed by the Israeli army in those cities, has caused a situation which, yes, is tantamount to European cities under the occupation of Nazi German armies. We stand by what we said; we believe that it is correct. But it is completely different from what was alleged by the Israeli representative. What the Israeli army has been doing against our people does not differ in many aspects from what the Nazi German armies did in many European cities and against their inhabitants. This is a fact, a terrible fact, which I hope will be courageously faced by the Israeli people. Facing it is the first step towards correcting it, towards a different kind of behaviour, one which could, hopefully, lead to peaceful coexistence between the two sides.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The Israeli occupying forces are escalating their attacks in Jenin and Nablus, probably leading to a new Sabra and Shatila in the refugee camps in Jenin. In another glaring example of the same Israeli tactics, the Israeli representative accused many of us of committing a huge sin by daring to compare, on the one hand, what happened to the Jews in Europe, through the terrible Holocaust, to what has been said about what the Israelis have been doing, on the other hand. This, again, is not true. The Permanent Observer of Palestine did not say that what the Israelis are committing against the Palestinian people now is tantamount to the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews in Europe.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“So why not try another round of the usual intimidation against individuals. We hope such intimidation will not work. What was said by the Permanent Representative of Mauritius was no different from what was said by at least 30 other speakers. That is another indication of why he was chosen. The Israeli representative then goes on and refers to the withdrawal from Qalqiliya and Tulkarm. Let me clarify that the so-called withdrawal from Qalqiliya and Tulkarm is taking place while the Israeli occupying forces continue to surround both cities, keeping a very solid and, indeed, hermetic closure on both. At the same time the Israeli military attack continues and escalates. Israeli occupying forces today reoccupied the town of Dura, near Al-Khalil.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“That is further proof that everything said by the Israeli side on the Palestinian smuggling of weapons was just a lie. The Israeli representative - by the way, I am using the term "Israeli representative" intentionally in response to the inability of the Israeli side to use the correct and proper designation when he refers to me, that is, the Permanent Observer of Palestine; his inability to utter the word "Palestine" is unfortunate - goes on and chooses to attack the Permanent Representative of Mauritius. I am not going to get into this, but, to tell you the truth, it is very difficult to resist the feeling that a choice was made to serve certain political purposes, that there is a member of the Security Council here and that maybe that member is playing a certain role.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“However, we noted the presence of a Palestinian captain; we also took note of the involvement of a very few Palestinian officials in this story. As such, we recognize that there absolutely is a certain degree of responsibility that needs to be carried out and that an investigation has to take place. However, we remain convinced that the Israeli story makes no sense. We stand firmly behind what we said in our letter to the Secretary-General and to the President of the Security Council (S/2002/39). No such shipment was possible. No sane person would have conceived such a thing. And no, Katyushas could not be used in Gaza. The proof of this is that after all the Israeli savagery that we have seen in the last 10 days, no weapons other than rifles were used against the invaders.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“25) S0 "silly" and "stupid" were not directed at the statement and were definitely not directed at any person. They were practically an understatement about silly, stupid, derogatory, hostile, unsubstantiated - and you can add dozens of other negative adjectives - allegations that have only one aim: to undermine the Palestinian Authority and, specifically, its President, and to contribute to the campaign against them. The Israeli representative then proceeded today to speak about a letter we sent with regard to another unsubstantiated allegation on the smuggling of an arms shipment by ship. Let me repeat clearly here that the Palestinian Authority and President Yasser Arafat have no involvement whatsoever with that story.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Today, of course, we heard another statement from the Israeli representative, describing our statement as irresponsible and using words such as "derogatory", "no class", et cetera. Although relatively minor, this is just another perfect example of the way many Israeli officials are conducting their business. They try to catch something out of context, make a lie out of it and then wage their campaign. Most probably it will work. WhatI said yesterday was the following: "A while ago, we listened to the statement made by the Israeli representative, which was indeed an absurd and unfortunate one. The statement basically amounted to an attack on President Yasser Arafat and contained silly, stupid and unsubstantiated allegations that cannot be believed." (ibid., p.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Yesterday, after my final statement, the Israeli representative said, "I regret the tone and content of the statement just made by the Palestinian Observer. In view of the fact that the statement was well prepared, I particularly regret the use of terms such as "silly" and "stupid". I believe that we should conduct the business of this important body in a parliamentary manner. The terms he used are not in line with the parliamentary manner." (S/PV.4510, p. 26) Since that time, several ambassadors have asked me outside this Chamber why I had described the Israeli representative as silly and stupid. Others asked why I described the Israeli statement as silly and stupid.”
2002-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The representative of South Africa repeated proposals that are also important. We hope that the Council will be in a position to consider those proposals.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Finally, I, of course, noted that a reference was made to a draft resolution, and a comment on the advisability of such a text. I definitely see the logic. Nevertheless, the central aim of the draft resolution which the Council will be considering is to deal with the appalling humanitarian crisis which exists on the ground and with the need for the Council to deal with it, in addition to at least the initial acceptance of the idea of an international presence, which, I think, many members of the Council said would be of great help. And in the meantime, of course, there is no escape from dealing with the fact that Security Council resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002) have not been implemented. Many speakers have made very important proposals in the past. The representative of Mauritius, for instance, made an important proposal today.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“That definitely could not be described as an extremist demand. The Prime Minister goes on to speak about what he is going to do when Secretary Powell arrives and about his intention to advance "the initiative I am presenting here today for a meeting of regional leaders which will jumpstart the steps of dialogue for a framework of peace in the Middle East": another gimmick. The Palestinians are not the party now; they are actually the problem, since Arafat is a man with whom we cannot deal. So, now we have to deal directly with the Arab leaders: another attempt to play further games without any acceptance of the necessity of "concessions" from the Israeli side. That is the important and positive statement referred to by the Israeli representative today.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Of the Saudi initiative, the Prime Minister says, "Despite the extremist demands which were included in the decisions of the Arab Summit in Beirut, I welcome the fact that such an important Arab leader as Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has for the first time recognized the right of Israel to live within secure and recognized borders." That is a lie, as usual, and an attempt to use things to his advantage, while maintaining his basic rejectionist position. To my knowledge, Crown Prince Abdullah has not yet recognized the right of Israel to live within secure and recognized borders. What he and the Summit did was an expression of sincere readiness to do so and to establish a normal relationship with Israel, provided that Israel accepts a complete withdrawal from the territories it occupied in 1967.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“The aim is to force us out of here, to throw us out of every place, from the home in Elon Moreh or the supermarket in Jerusalem." I wonder if there can be more incitement or a more powerful call to hatred than that. Elon Moreh, by the way, is a settlement. Definitely, this gentleman is not a believer in any kind of political settlement, at least not one which would require ending the Israeli occupation and creating a Palestinian State.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“"After the army finishes its mission, it will withdraw on the order of the Government to defined security areas." "Defined security areas". This is, of course, a new concept that Mr. Sharon is now telling the whole world he will implement. Mr. Sharon went on to say that he had promised Mr. Bush that: "We are making every effort to accelerate our military moves and to withdraw our forces from the places where our operations have ended." "Where our operations have ended". This will create a whole new process of negotiating the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the Palestinian cities and towns. The Prime Minister goes on to say: "The gangs of murderers have a leader and an aim.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“By the way, if anyone can buy the idea of a factory for heavy armaments that cost $100,000, frankly, all of us could perhaps become rich somehow in that industry. Let me come to the important statement by Prime Minister Sharon to which the representative of Israel referred. Let me, ifI may, very quickly read out some quotations, as they appear on Reuters: "These missions have not yet been completed and the army will continue to operate as fast as possible until the mission is completed, until they dismantle the terrorist infrastructure of Arafat and until they catch the murderers who are holed up in various places, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem." This is the beginning of how positive and how important this additional mad statement is.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Sharon wants to get rid of President Arafat precisely because he does not want to reach a political settlement, and not vice versa. Anyone can see that very easily. We listened to the representative of Israel talk about documents, intelligence, weapons, signatures, salaries and Al-Aqsa - a James Bond story definitely not befitting this Council. Let me just very briefly refer to the fact that, at least from what I saw on television, no rocket-propelled grenades were found; no katyushas were found; and definitely no howitzers were found. This is proof, actually, of Israeli lying all along about Palestinian smuggling of weapons. Palestinian youth in Nablus and in Jenin have only their flesh and the only available weapons are their rifles. That is the only thing we saw on television.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Let me make it very clear that the Palestinian people resent and utterly reject those attacks on our President, not only because such an Israeli position reflects the usual arrogance and condescending attitude, and not only because of the fact that the Palestinian leadership is Palestinian business, and not only because of the fact that this is an attack on a democratically elected President of ours and the symbol of the Palestinian national struggle - a man who, indeed, has greatly contributed to the cause of peace and is being attacked by a man who is basically associated with the massacres in Sabra and Shatilah. We do so not because of all these things alone, but also because the reality of the matter is that an attack on President Arafat is in fact an attack on any serious potential for reaching a political settlement. Mr.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“A while ago, we listened to the statement made by the Israeli representative, which was indeed an absurd and unfortunate one. The statement basically amounted to an attack on President Yasser Arafat and contained silly, stupid and unsubstantiated allegations that cannot be believed.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“However, the necessary first step is the immediate and unconditional implementation of resolution 1402 (2002). Let us do that together. Let the Security Council adopt an additional resolution reaffirming the Council's serious commitment, and put an end to the tragic humanitarian situation on the ground.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“At the same time, we reiterate our call for an effective international presence on the ground, in particular after the destruction inflicted on the Palestinian police force and other Palestinian security forces, so that upcoming commitments can be implemented and so that we can provide the necessary protection for our people. We should also like to stress the importance of seeking a comprehensive approach to the political situation and to stress the need for the Security Council to participate in taking the necessary measures in that direction. Our people will not give up in the face of war criminals. We will not give up our right to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with holy Jerusalem as its capital. We will not give up the dream of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Israel must not be treated as if it were above the law, and the members of the international community must take the necessary measures to put an end to Israeli acts of aggression and to the tragedy and suffering of our people. The question we must ask now is how our people can trust any initiative. How can they trust the ability and will of those who promoted such initiatives to implement them so that the Palestinian people will not ultimately be compelled to submit to the desires of the Israelis? We will try not to lose hope, although that will require more serious international action. The Palestinian leadership and President Yasser Arafat will cooperate with those who brought about these initiatives, including, of course, Secretary of State Powell when he visits the region.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“It is doing so not because of its own strength, but because it relies on the availability of the protection it needs whenever it becomes necessary to resort to Chapter VII of the Charter. Furthermore, Israel has chosen to ignore the request made by President George Bush four days ago for a cessation of military operations and a withdrawal from recently reoccupied cities. President Bush also asked that withdrawal take place without delay. High officials later clarified that "without delay" meant "now". Israeli tanks wreaked havoc on Palestinian cities and towns, and military operations are continuing. This arbitrariness must end now.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Such a stand could help heal the painful wounds suffered by our people. Since 29 March, the overall military attacks and the reoccupation of Palestinian cities have been taking place after the Security Council adopted its important resolution 1397 (2002). The major part of the offensive took place after the adoption of resolution 1402 (2002), and even after the adoption of resolution 1403 (2002), which called for the implementation of resolution 1402 (2002) without delay. Once again, Israel, the occupying Power, has chosen to ignore the resolutions of the Security Council. It has done so in clear defiance of the Council and in grave and ominous violation of the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, including Article 25.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“To that list we would also add the names of many officers and soldiers of Israeli military units and those of helicopter pilots who have committed acts of premeditated murder against civilians on specific instances and on specific dates. We have documented such acts in 110 letters to the Security Council - letters which could be considered a record of such crimes. Of course, responsibility for such war crimes falls on Mr. Ariel Sharon and his Government. This is an issue that can be dealt with at the appropriate time. We and our future generations will never forget what has befallen us at the hands of the Israeli side. There is no doubt that a serious stand by the international community against these crimes will help to end them and ensure that they are not repeated, not only in Palestine but throughout the world.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Accordingly, we once again call for the High Contracting Parties not only to take the necessary measures to guarantee respect for the Convention in accordance with common article I, but also to assume their duty to take the necessary legal measures to bring to trial those who have committed war crimes. We also call upon the Security Council to consider the mechanism necessary to bring this about. Until that time, we call on the High Contracting Parties - in particular on those who have laws in place regarding extra-territorial jurisdiction over war crimes - to press charges against the war criminals, prosecute them and bring them to justice. We believe that the list should contain the name of General Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli Army Chief of Staff, who is personally responsible for many war crimes committed by his forces.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source
“Israeli forces have also caused the deterioration of the humanitarian situation through their imposition of curfews and by depriving inhabitants of access to basic needs. Water and power have been cut off to vast areas. Infrastructure has been destroyed. Homes have been stormed. Mass detentions have taken place. Buildings, cars and property have been destroyed. In addition, the occupation forces continue their attacks against mosques and churches and continue to lay siege to the Church of the Nativity. Even the birthplace of Christ has not prevented attacks against our people; it will not deter these new war criminals. The Israeli occupation forces have also committed grave violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, of 1949.”
2002-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4510 (2002) · source