YouSaid · the spoken record

Mansour

lines on the record: 2,038
first: 2006-03-30
most recent: 2023-12-22
sittings or episodes: 126
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

“Mr. Mansour (Palestine) (spoke in Arabic): I wish at the outset to thank the Secretary-General for his presence here with us, for his report and for the briefing he has just given us. His extensive report includes a number of ideas and proposals, which, if taken into account, will represent an effective means of ending the present stalemate in the Middle East political process and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian problem. On behalf of the Palestinian people, its leadership and of our President, I wish to pay tribute to the Secretary-General and to thank him most warmly for all of his efforts aimed at arriving at a just and lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East, in particular his support for the Palestinian cause. The Secretary- General has always been a great friend to Palestine and to peace in the Middle East.”
2006-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5584 (2006) · source
“That can be done only by ending the grave breaches being committed by Israel, the occupying Power, and by bringing an end to the hostilities and salvaging the prospects for reaching a peaceful settlement on the basis of international law, the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Quartet Road Map and the Arab Peace Initiative adopted in Beirut in March 2002. The Palestinian people hope that the next time we are forced to return to the Security Council, it will finally uphold its duties and responsibilities and thus save us all from the tragedy of more death, destruction and misery.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“I need to talk about a ceasefire. I am not only responsible for the intensity of the fire." It is high time that Israel, the occupying Power, and the Security Council heed not only the calls of the international community, especially the General Assembly, but the calls among its own, to prevent further massacres and tragedies from occurring. It is never too late for mistakes of the past to be rectified. In that regard, we assert our hope that the Security Council will soon assume its rightful and proper role and use its authority to address this issue.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“In that connection, senior Israeli ministers - including, among others, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Vice Premier Shimon Peres and Defence Minister Amir Peretz - have all called on Prime Minister Olmert to initiate a plan to break the diplomatic impasse with the Palestinian Authority, including calls for an immediate ceasefire. After a telephone call between Mr. Peretz and President Abbas yesterday, it was clear that they had agreed that an immediate and mutual ceasefire was needed. However, it seems that the Israeli Prime Minister would rather ignore them as he continues to pursue his illegal policies and practices. According to Israeli news reports, Mr. Peretz told Mr. Olmert, "I am not a minister of assassinations", referring to the policy of targeted killings. He continued, "I am the head of the peace camp.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“We welcome that initiative, which includes, among other things, an immediate ceasefire in the region, a Palestinian national unity government and talks between Israel's Prime Minister and the Palestinian President, plus an exchange of prisoners between the two parties, an international mission in Gaza to monitor a ceasefire and the convening of an international peace conference on the conflict in the Middle East. As the Prime Minister of Spain correctly pointed out, "We cannot remain impassive in the face of the horror that continues to unfold before our eyes. Violence has reached a level of deterioration that requires determined, urgent action by the international community." Even some on the Israeli side are calling for a diplomatic solution.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The Palestinian side - in particular President Mahmoud Abbas - is actively engaged in formulating a national unity government, efforts which will soon come to fruition. Moreover, others have spoken in the same vein about the importance of finding a diplomatic solution. In that regard, three countries of the European Union, namely France, Italy and Spain, have unveiled a Middle East peace plan amid the frustration over the latest developments between the Israeli and Palestinian sides.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The Israeli occupying forces have also committed themselves to continuing with their crimes of extrajudicial killings; the destruction of homes, buildings, agricultural fields, roads and other infrastructure; the confiscation of more land for illegal settlement activities and for Israel's expansionist wall; and the destruction of Palestinian institutions. At the same time, the Israeli occupying forces have tightened their military siege and their restrictions on the freedom of movement of all Palestinian persons and goods, virtually dividing the occupied Palestinian territory into several detention centres. Despite the aforementioned, the Palestinian side remains committed to finding a peaceful solution through diplomatic means.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“We have continued since September 2000 to reiterate our calls for amelioration of the suffering caused to the Palestinian people as a result of the ongoing and escalating flagrant Violation of their human rights as defined by international humanitarian law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Unfortunately, those calls have fallen upon deaf ears. Consequently, since that time, more than 4,300 Palestinians, including many children, have been killed. In addition, tens of thousands have been injured, many of whom have been permanently disabled as a result of the serious injuries sustained.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The consequences of that behaviour have been extremely detrimental, not only in terms of the rights of the Palestinian people, but also in terms of the international system and its authority and credibility. That pattern of behaviour has undermined the rule of law and deepened doubt regarding the Security Council and the United Nations itself, sending the wrong message to Israel, the occupying Power, which has continued to act as if it were above the law. The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, continues to deteriorate dramatically and the toll of death and destruction continues to rise as a result of the aggression being carried out by the Israeli occupying forces against the Palestinian people. We continue to reaffirm that it is incumbent upon the international community to address this crisis.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“That has not only aggravated the situation by failing to bring about an end to the violations - including an end to Israel's belligerent military occupation itself - but has also prolonged a conflict that has caused so much suffering, loss and hardship for the Palestinian people, as well as for the entire region. To be fair, this is not due to a failure of the membership in its entirety; rather, it is due mainly to one permanent member, which has consistently prevented the Council from taking serious action, has provided the occupying Power with unjustified diplomatic protection and has actively tried to neutralize and contradict international law.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“One of the main problems is that the Council has been unable to take the actions necessary for implementation of those resolutions, and thus for bringing about compliance by Israel, the occupying Power, with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. In that regard, Israel's policies and practices against the Palestinian people, who have been under its occupation since 1967, have included not only systematic human rights violations, but acts constituting grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention, under its article 147 - that is, war crimes, which are carried out with complete impunity.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Of course, in the resolution there are obligations on both sides, but, as an occupying Power, Israel is ultimately obliged to ensure the safety and well-being of the Palestinian people it holds hostage in its 39-year-old occupation; this is an obligation it has continued to ignore in the most violent and brutal manner. It should be mentioned that this is not the first time that the Security Council has failed to uphold its responsibilities, despite the fact that since 1967 the Council has adopted more than 40 resolutions specifically on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“One should respect the integrity of the entire collective voting of the Non-Aligned Movement, the entire collective voting of the European Union, the entire collective voting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the entire collective voting of all of the countries in South America, the entire collective voting of the Arab League of nations, and the votes of other nations in Asia. As for the Israeli side, the resolution called for an end to its military aggression, which endangers the Palestinian civilian population.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Indeed, the international community took up the reins of responsibility and voted nearly unanimously in favour of a draft resolution which was practically identical to the one put before the Council. We thank the entire international community that voted in that manner. Out of the 169 present for the voting, 156 voted in favour of the resolution (General Assembly resolution ES-10/16), sending a loud and clear message to the parties. Those 156 countries cannot be hijacked.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“In fact, the latest Israeli crimes occurred today, 21 November 2006, and yesterday, 20 November, in the West Bank town of Qalqilya when the Israeli occupying forces carried out yet another extrajudicial execution, killing two Palestinians they had illegally targeted, as well as six innocent bystanders. The inaction of the Security Council, which was specifically due to a veto by one permanent member, led us to the resumption of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, in accordance with the Uniting for Peace formula. We had hoped that Member States would collectively undertake what the Security Council had been unable to do.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“The total number of those killed in the Beit Hanoun massacre, a civilian-populated neighbourhood, rose to 19, thus adding to the over 82 others killed earlier in the same Israeli military aggression, which centred mainly on Beit Hanoun. Moreover, the overall count of Palestinians killed since last June in the wider military aggression carried out in Gaza now numbers over 450. It should be highlighted that, after the inaction by the Security Council, Israel, the occupying Power, continued its aggression against the captive civilian population, including through air strikes on the Gaza Strip. This resulted in the killing of more Palestinians, including a 15-year-old boy and a 20-year-old. Furthermore, the Israeli occupying forces also continued to carry out incursions into the occupied West Bank, killing and wounding several civilians.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Like many other times prior to this tragic incident, we had hoped that the Security Council would shoulder its responsibilities and undertake the necessary action to remedy the grave situation to which the entire world was bearing witness. Yet, once again, not only were we let down, but the individuals who lost family members and the Victims themselves have also been let down. Even for the people of Gaza - a people who have been forced to endure the insurmountable grief of death and destruction - the loss in Beit Hanoun was too great to bear. Loads of ambulances lined up, carrying the unrecognizable and mutilated bodies of 16 members of the same extended family, the majority of whom were women and children, all of whom were civilians.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“Before delivering my written statement, I would like to convey, on behalf of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian leadership, our deepest condolences to the Gemayel family and to the Government and the people of Lebanon on the tragic crime that was committed this morning in Lebanon. We are confident that the sisterly nation of Lebanon is strong enough to withstand this crime and to move ahead towards a bright future for the great people of Lebanon. I also want to thank Mr. Gambari for his briefing. Ten days ago, we met in this Chamber in the hope that the Council would take a swift and determined stance to address the grave situation occurring in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular the condemnable massacre that took place in Beit Hanoun on 8 November 2006.”
2006-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5568 (2006) · source
“One has been in existence since 1948; ours needs to be established in all the area occupied by Israel in June 1967, including East Jerusalem, with a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue, based on General Assembly resolution 194 (III). We will never lose faith in the great principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Our 6 belief in the United Nations, including the Security Council, will never weaken. We will continue to come to the Council and other bodies of the United Nations system until justice prevails.”
2006-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5565 (2006) · source
“Occupation will eventually come to an end. This aggression, which has been continuing in Gaza for the past five months, has not broken the will of our people and will never do so. Only through negotiations - not massacres and aggression - will we be able to move forward to find a just solution to this conflict. As our nation commemorates today the second anniversary of the death of our historic leader, Yasser Arafat, we are committed more than ever to accomplishing our national objectives. Our President, Mahmoud Abbas, stated today in Ramallah, at the second-anniversary commemoration of the death of President Arafat, that we are committed to the two- State solution.”
2006-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5565 (2006) · source
“I want at the outset to thank those who voted in favour of this balanced draft resolution (S/2006/878). We thank Qatar, the Arab Group, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, which unanimously asked for the convening of a Security Council meeting and sponsored the draft resolution. We are disappointed that the draft resolution was not adopted. Palestine has been disappointed again. The Security Council today has conveyed two wrong messages. It has conveyed to Israel that it can continue to behave as though it were above international law. It has conveyed to the Palestinian people that, with regard to their issue, the Security Council is not dealing with justice in the proper way. But our people, in spite of this disappointment, will never lose hope. Justice will prevail.”
2006-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5565 (2006) · source
“We would prefer that they adopt it today, if they are ready to act. But, whatever the case, we urge them to act on the draft resolution as quickly as possible. We hope that, this time, the Council will not let our people down. We hope that the Council will be able to adopt the draft resolution in order to send the appropriate message to everyone in the Middle East, including the Israeli occupying authorities and the Palestinian people.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“It was only the other day that a Deputy Prime Minister - and we know his name; I do not need to mention it - was added to the Government. His positions are very well known: he is a segregationist and an advocate of ethnic cleansing. If one wanted to derail this debate in the Security Council by raising those issues, one could do so very easily. But I have not taken the floor to exercise the right of reply; I asked for the floor simply to say that we thank all delegations that have conveyed condolences to the families of the victims of the massacre and to the Palestinian leadership. We will convey those messages to the families, to our people and to the leadership. We also urge all members of the Security Council to adopt the draft resolution before them as soon as possible.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“I did not ask for the floor to make another statement with regard to some of the issues that have been discussed in this body. Of course, I could very easily make comments about those things. For example, I could talk about the Prime Minister of Israel, who stated again today that aggression against Gaza would continue and that what he called "accidents" - similar to what happened in Beit Hanoun - would most likely be repeated. That means that he is completely disregarding this debate among almost all countries from every corner of the globe. I could also refer to the actions of the Israeli Government with regard to extremism. While President Abbas is trying to create a unified Government on the Palestine side and to prepare the atmosphere for a resumption of negotiations, what are the actions of the Israeli Government?”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We are calling for the immediate cessation of this aggression and the immediate withdrawal of the occupying forces to the positions they held prior to 28 June 2006. Moreover, we call for an investigation of the massacre as well as a mutual ceasefire, and for a United Nations observer force to monitor and observe the ceasefire. The international community, in particular the Security Council, must hold the Israeli Government accountable before its legal and political obligations under international law; it must ensure that Israel abides by the principles of the Fourth Geneva Convention and brings its military aggression in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular the Gaza Strip, to a complete halt. The Palestinian people - the Palestinian children - are awaiting the Council's response.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“How many more Palestinians will have to be killed before the Security Council acts? How many Palestinian families will suffer complete annihilation by the occupying Power? Enough is enough, and the Security Council cannot continue to remain silent and inactive when it comes to the lives of the Palestinian people. If the 6 Security Council fails to uphold its obligations and to bring a halt to Israeli aggression, it will only bolster the occupying Power's impunity and that will only come at the cost of more innocent Palestinian lives. We trust that this is not the intention of the members of the Security Council. Again, we call on the international community to voice its strong condemnation of the ongoing aggression and the massacre in Beit Hanoun.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“However, in the same vein, its occupying forces continue to commit crime after crime with a culture of impunity. When a criminal is facing charges before a court, he often pleads before the judge, expressing his deepest regret. But in a real justice system, the judge will tell him, "Sorry is not enough, and you will have to be punished". That is why the perpetrators must be brought to justice. As I said at the beginning of my statement, the wilful killing and injury of civilians constitutes a grave breach of international law - a war crime. Without a doubt, therefore, Israel is repeatedly committing war crimes against the Palestinian people. As such, the time has come for urgent action on the part of the Security Council. Failure to act at this time will seriously damage the Council's credibility.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“President Abbas continues to call for diplomacy to be given a chance, in order to save many lives on the Palestinian side as well as on the Israeli side. However, the way Israel has reciprocated is by inflicting more suffering and loss among the Palestinian people and further destabilizing the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond, in the region as a whole, clearly making this a matter of international peace and security. It must be said that we do not accept the repulsive repeated statements by Israeli officials expressing their "regret" or their "apology" for committing these atrocities against our people. Of course it regrets the loss of civilian lives, especially children. What civilized nation would not? Israel is always quick to respond with a forked tongue.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“That warning has also come from President Mahmoud Abbas who has repeatedly called on the Security Council and the international community to 5 shoulder its responsibilities and to stop Israel's brutal crimes. Despite that, the Security Council has failed to act, it has failed to uphold international peace and security and it has failed to protect the lives of hundreds of Palestinian civilians. The sanctioning of savage acts committed by the occupying Power creates a culture of impunity among the Israelis. It should be highlighted that all of this has been occurring while President Mahmoud Abbas has been exerting all efforts to secure agreement among all Palestinian parties for national unity and to promote calm.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“It has blatantly violated all norms and standards of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. To be frank, one of the most regrettable aspects of what is taking place in Gaza is the fact that Palestine has sent countless letters to all members of the Security Council, and the Council has done nothing. In those letters, we have described the dreadful situation under which the Palestinian people are forced to live as a result of the occupying Power's brutal actions. We have also warned that the absence of a clear and strong position by the international community to demand an immediate cessation of Israel's military aggression would result in further carnage among the Palestinian people.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“The latest massacre in Beit Hanoun took place less than 24 hours after the Israeli occupying forces declared an end to their aggression in the area, which has been carried out since 1 November 2006. Families and lives are being destroyed by the occupying Power on a wholesale basis, as it continues launching military assaults. In the past eight days alone, Israeli occupying forces have killed over 100 and have injured over 350 Palestinians. Since the end of June more than 450 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, making death, mourning and grief a nearly daily ritual for the population of Gaza. Indeed, the bloodshed and loss caused by the occupying Power has been great, because Israel has breached every single one of its obligations as an occupying Power under international law.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“What we have seen today, and in recent days and months - the blood 06-60930 of Palestinian civilians flowing in the streets, the demolition of their homes, and their constant humiliation, suffering and collective punishment - is exactly what the Palestinian people have been subjected to under nearly 39 years of Israeli belligerence. There has been a constant barrage of war crimes, State terrorism and systematic human rights violations, for which the international community must hold this occupying Power responsible. The lawlessness and impunity of Israel must be brought to an end, and the Palestinian people must be accorded their rights under international law, including their right to protection as a civilian population under occupation.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“The survivors of the attack woke up to the gruesome scenes of blood and body parts scattered across their neighbourhood. Until now, Palestinian medical personnel have been unable to identify several of the victims because the amount and non-conventional nature of the explosives used by the occupying Power have left most of the murdered with severe burns and shattered and distorted body parts. Doctors in the Gaza Strip insist that these kinds of severe injuries are caused by the most vicious types of weapons that Israel, the occupying Power, has been unleashing against the besieged Gaza population for the past six months. This is terrorism. This is State terrorism. These are war crimes for which the perpetrators must be held accountable under international law.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“Defenceless and unprotected by the international community, the Palestinian people continue to suffer the wrath of Israel's violent and lethal occupation policies and practices. Yesterday's massacre of innocent Palestinian civilians by the Israeli occupying forces in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip is the most recent and the most telling illustration of the vicious and barbaric behaviour and actions of the occupying Power. As unprotected victims slept in their beds, Israeli tanks unleashed a barrage of tank fire, shelling the residential neighbourhood of Al-Kafaraneh. This massacre took the lives of 19 Palestinian civilians, including 16 members of one family - the Al-Athamneh family. Among the victims were a one-month-old infant, a one-year-old baby, seven children and six women.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“I believe it is necessary 06-60930 to recall before the Council that wilful killing is causing great suffering and serious injury to body and health, and that the extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, are among those acts considered to constitute grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. In this regard, in grave breach of the Convention, which governs military occupation, and in serious violation of other relevant provisions of international law, Israel continues to use excessive and indiscriminate force against Palestinian civilians, killing men, women and children, and wantonly destroying Palestinian homes and properties in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“The number of members in these groups represents the overwhelming majority of the countries of the United Nations who are counting on the Security Council to uphold its responsibilities, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. Over the past week, Israel, the occupying Power, has continued and intensified its barbaric military aggression against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, especially in the Gaza Strip. Flagrant violations and grave breaches of international law - war crimes - are being committed by the occupying Power against the Palestinian civilian population every single day, including at this very moment.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“Mr. President, at the outset, allow me to congratulate you upon the assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We are certain that, under your able leadership, the Council will spare no effort to address the many critical issues before it at this time. We would also like to congratulate the Ambassador of Japan for his stewardship of the Council for the month of October. I would also like to thank Ms. Kane for her briefing. Before proceeding with my statement, I would also like to thank the members of the Arab Group, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and others for their request to convene this timely meeting of the Security Council.”
2006-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5564 (2006) · source
“Most unfortunately, Israel has opted for that second option of State terrorism and war crimes. As for us, the choice of the Palestinians and the Arabs in general is that of peace. If the Israeli authorities truly wish to live in peace, ensure regional stability and security, and live side by side with a Palestinian State enjoying full sovereignty over all the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, with its capital in the holy city of Jerusalem, it is high time that it chose the first option, cease its aggression, its illegal practices and its occupation of Arab territories, and respect international law and the legitimacy of international resolutions.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“The first is to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the Arab territories occupied since 1967, and allow the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable national rights to self-determination, create their own independent State, and achieve a just settlement of the refugee problem in accordance with General Assembly resolution 194 (III). That is the way to establish a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and to permit the people of the region to enjoy peace, security, stability and prosperity. Israel's second option is to continue to entrench its occupation, build settlements, and pursue the construction of the separation wall and its military aggression against the Palestinian people.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“We have stated on previous occasions our firm conviction that the Council must fulfil its responsibilities in the maintenance of international peace and security and the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including the Palestinian people, who are living under the yoke of Israeli occupation. Our conviction is based on the principles set out in the Charter and international law, and it is that conviction which has prompted us to address the Security Council on multiple occasions. As I said at the beginning of my statement, while Israel may claim that the Palestinian Authority has only two choices, it is Israel itself that now must choose between two options.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“The decision of the Arab ministers to come to the Council was unanimous, despite its past inability to adopt the measures necessary to resolve the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question and the question of East Jerusalem, and its failure to ensure the implementation of its own resolutions. The ministers felt it necessary to bring this issue before the Council, convinced as they were of its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and of the need to help all parties to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the problem. Had it responded, the Council would have discharged its mandate with respect to international relations, the maintenance of international peace and security and the implementation of the provisions of international law and international humanitarian law.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“The Council, in fact, held such a meeting last month, at which Arab ministers and President Abbas participated, in an effort to reaffirm the need for the Council to act immediately and come up with the necessary mechanisms and timetables for the implementation of relevant Council resolutions with a View to reaching a comprehensive, just and lasting solution in the region and bringing about peace and stability. That is the choice of the Arabs - the choice of peace - as contained in the Arab peace initiative adopted at the Arab summit held in Beirut in March 2002.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“It must also put an end to the crimes being carried out with impunity against the Palestinian people by the occupying forces and bring the perpetrators of those acts to justice. In the light of the latest negative developments in the region and the increasingly deteriorating situation, Arab ministers for foreign affairs decided once again to inform the Security Council about the situation in the Middle East and to place this agenda item before it. They called upon the Council to hold a special high- level meeting on the situation.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“Israel's land and air attacks as the occupying Power on the Gaza Strip, as well as its illegal practices throughout the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, only serve to intensify destabilization and the deterioration of the situation in the region. They also create a fait accompli that could have long-term negative consequences on security in the region and on peace and security throughout the world. The Council is the only body able to act in that regard. It has a duty to immediately redouble its efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and put an end to Israel's ongoing aggression, collective punishment and blockades, which have served to break up the contiguity of Palestinian territory, isolating it from the rest of the world.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“That in addition to expanding settlements and continuing to build the apartheid wall of separation, in Violation of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 9 July 2004 and relevant United Nations resolutions. The result of that would obviate the possibility of a peaceful resolution in which two States live side by side in peace and security and would lay the seeds for another war between the two sides. President Abbas has often spoken about the need to resume negations towards a lasting solution based on international law and agreements, United Nations resolutions, the Quartet road map and the Arab peace initiative. Those numerous appeals have fallen on deaf ears in Israel.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“The goal of Israel's attacks against the institutions of the Palestinian Authority, of its outright destruction of some of those institutions and of its detention and imprisonment of Palestinian leaders, officials of the Authority and members of Parliament is to continue to carry out illegal unilateral measures in the territory by pretending that there is no partner for peace. The Palestinian Authority categorically rejects any unilateral plans by the Israelis in the West Bank, because the purpose of such plans is to annex more territory as a fait accompli and annex the occupied Eastern part of Jerusalem and create security cordons along the River Jordan.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“Despite numerous appeals by the international community to release the funds withheld by Israel, it has continued its policy to starve and besiege the Palestinian people. Despite all that, Israel continues to refer to the two options available to the Palestinian people and Authority. During the sacred month of Ramadan - contrary to Israel's assertion that Jerusalem is a city open to all religions - the racist practices of the occupying Power have prevented large numbers of Palestinian Muslims from visiting places of prayer in the Holy City of Jerusalem. This practice has been repeated in the case of Christian Palestinians as well. Nevertheless, extremist settlers have full unhindered access to places of worship in Jerusalem.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“According to the latest report of the United Nations Relief Works Administration (UNRWA), the ongoing aggression against civilians in Gaza has led to the displacement of thousands of residents. Israel has also continued its detention policy, which has thus far resulted in the arrest of more than ten thousand Palestinians, including elected members of Parliament, members of the Government and several mayors. In addition, Israel has appropriated tax and customs revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority, thereby violating the Paris Protocol, which was signed by both parties in 1994. As a result, there has been deterioration in the economic and financial situation, which has had a serious effect on the Palestinian Authority.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“Israel's deliberate acts of aggression against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip began on 28 June 2006 and have resulted in over 350 martyrs and more than 1,000 persons wounded, of whom 80 per cent are civilians and about two-thirds are women and children. In recent days alone Israel killed more than 26 Palestinians. In addition, Israel has employed a new approach, namely, psychological warfare, to force hundreds of Palestinian families to flee Gaza in terror as a result of telephone threats made by members of the occupying forces in which they were informed that they had a very short time to leave their homes before they would be bombed and destroyed. That is in addition to the deafening sonic booms caused by Israeli planes overhead, which terrorize and intimidate the Palestinian people, especially children.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source
“That is due to Israel's persistence in implementing its illegal policies and practices, which we have seen recently in the disproportionate and excessive use of force by Israel against a besieged population in the Gaza Strip, in extrajudicial killings, and in its incursions into Gaza with armoured vehicles, tanks and bulldozers to raze villages, towns and Palestinian refugee camps. All this has led to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, and to the destruction of the civil infrastructure, including the only electricity company in Gaza, electricity networks, water supply networks, bridges and roads. Israel has blocked all crossing points and has continued to build its military barriers and check points, thereby turning Palestinian towns and villages into ghettoes and causing destruction to Gaza's economy.”
2006-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5552 (2006) · source