YouSaid · the spoken record

President Abbas

lines on the record: 70
first: 2009-01-06
most recent: 2020-02-11
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“Finally, I ask the world to be careful to not kill the hope of our Palestinian people. I have come for the sake of hope. Do not dash my hope.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I will say one thing — we will not resort to violence and terrorism, regardless of how strong the aggression against us. We believe in peace. We believe in combating violence. We will therefore not resort to violence. There are already 83 countries — soon to be 133. We are ready to cooperate with any country to combat terrorism. We are against terrorism and violence in all their forms and manifestations. We will not resort to terrorism. We will fight using peaceful, popular resistance. One need only look at what is happening now in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets, braving the freezing cold to say “no” to the deal. It is not just I or my delegation rejecting the deal. All our people are saying “no, no, no” to the deal.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“Council members have seen that we will not surrender. We will continue to demand our rights. If we are allowed to enjoy our rights, we will be grateful to whoever grants them to us. However, we will never relinquish our rights or surrender to the occupation, regardless of the time we invest and the sacrifice we have to make. In conclusion, I reiterate that I am ready to start negotiations. I have always been ready, so long as Israel shows itself to be a partner ready for peace and negotiations, under the auspices of the international Quartet and on the basis of internationally agreed parameters. I am serious. I stand ready to begin immediate negotiations here at the United Nations, which represents international legitimacy. I am ready to start those negotiations immediately.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We must be partners and neighbours, each in our own independent and sovereign country. Let us remain committed to that just choice before it is too late. I again stress that our conflict is not with the Jewish people. We are not against Jews; we are Muslims not against Jews. A Muslim who says that he is against a Jew commits blasphemy. If a Muslim says that he is against the Jews or the Torah is an infidel, not a Muslim. We are not against Jews. We are against anyone who attacks us, regardless of who he is and the religion he believes in. Our conflict is not with the Jews but with whoever occupies our land. Therefore, we will continue our struggle, in which we have sacrificed thousands of martyrs, prisoners and wounded to end occupation and establish our Palestinian State, while stressing that our people will not surrender.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I ask the Council to not take that hope away from us — hope for our people and all other peoples of the region for freedom, independence and peace. There is hope that the free world will champion our rights, so do not take away our people’s hope. I would like to show a map to Council members. This map shows Palestine as it stood in 1917, 1937, 1947, 1948 and 2020. Each time I look at the map, my heart is torn apart. Is that what we deserve? Is that what the Palestinian people deserve? Why? At some point things were different for us. How did we arrive at these islands? On this occasion, I would like to address the Israeli people and tell them that the ongoing occupation, settlements and military control of another people will not help them achieve security and peace. We have only one choice.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I call on the entire international community to put pressure on the occupying Israeli Government to cease its occupation practices and its continuous decisions to annex our territories, or even territories under dispute over which Israel has no right to annex. It will destroy any chance for peace. At this historic time, I would like to again extend my hand towards achieving peace before we miss this last opportunity. I hope to find a genuine partner in Israel, like Mr. Rabin or any other person who believes in peace, in order to achieve genuine peace for current and future generations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and other peoples of the world. Let us live together. Our Palestinian people can no longer tolerate the occupation of our country. The situation could implode at any moment. To prevent that, we need renewed hope.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We call for the implementation of all Security Council resolutions, the two-State solution and the Arab Peace Initiative, which we stress as is part of international legitimacy, resolution 1515 (2003). We are not proposing anything new. An international mechanism must be established based on the international Quartet to sponsor negotiations between the two sides. Any other country could join the Quartet, but frankly, we cannot accept the United States as the sole mediator. We welcome it within the Quartet, but we will not accept it alone. We tried that once, and we cannot do it again.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“From this Chamber, I call upon the Middle East Quartet, represented by the United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union and the United Nations, including the members of the Security Council, to hold an international conference for peace in order to implement resolutions of international legitimacy, in particular resolution 2334 (2016). Yet I say all resolutions. Pick and choose any resolution and I am ready to accept and implement it. But no single resolution is implemented? Eighty-seven resolutions are not implemented. Where to go? If resolutions of the Security Council, the highest platform in the world, are not implemented, where to go? To whom shall I complain?”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I hope that President Trump will be fair and just and support the implementation of resolutions of international legitimacy in order to create an opportunity to achieve a genuine peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. An imposed peace will not work and cannot last. Let us achieve peace by working together, as we began to do in Oslo, without the interference of any other party — I repeat, without the interference of any other party — and even without the knowledge of any other country. I challenge anybody who says that he knew about it. We signed a transition agreement and were ready to uphold it for five years until a final solution was reached. But they killed Yitzhak Rabin. Why did they kill Rabin? May God rest his soul in peace.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“This plan will not be applicable because it fails to meet the aspirations of the two-State solution, Israel and Palestine, which would be sovereign and independent, Believe me, if peace can be achieved between us and the Israeli people, it will be the best form of peace that nurtures the most beautiful relations between our two States, Palestine and Israel. But we need to be given an opportunity to achieve that peace. I know that the peace plan is 180 pages long, and that not everyone is willing to read it all. Therefore, we have decided to provide a 20-page summary that is easier to read, as it is unnecessary to read the remaining parts.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“At this difficult time, and before it is too late, I address President Donald Trump by saying that the proposed plan by the United States cannot achieve peace and security because it has abolished international legitimacy. Who can abolish international legitimacy? Who can abolish the international legitimacy of the highest platform in the world? President Donald Trump has managed to do so. The United States plan eliminated all the resolutions of the international legitimacy and denied the international legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, while placing East Jerusalem outside Palestinian sovereignty.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I also reiterate that we reject all attempts to link economic assistance to a political solution. They said there will be economic aid — forget about the political solution. They went to Bahrain and Warsaw and said that they will give us $50 billion, without bothering with a political solution. We reject that. The political solution must come first, and then, if the United States wishes to provide economic assistance, it will be most welcome. However, we cannot accept an economic solution before a political one. We thank all countries that are currently providing us with assistance — without preconditions — so that we can build our Palestinian institutions and an independent State.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“They have changed the characteristics of the occupied city of Jerusalem and continued to attack Islamic and Christian holy sites, confiscate land and wage war and siege on our people in the Gaza Strip, armed, unfortunately, with the strong support of the United States Administration. The United States has issued a number of decisions that violate international law and have not been accepted by the world and a large number of members of the current United States House of Representatives and many peace organizations, including American Jewish organizations. House of Representatives resolution 326 by rejects the policy of the President and the Secretary of State of the United States on settlements. That was a decision by the House of Representatives — we are not inventing facts or lying to anyone.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“While we responded positively to each of those invitations, Mr. Netanyahu never did. I went to Moscow three times, and he did not make an appearance. Therefore, who is rejecting peace here? I therefore cannot help but wonder about the opportunities we have wasted, as Abba Eban said and as others repeated. Successive occupying Israeli Governments and settlers have sought to destroy all chances for peace. They have accelerated their settlement activities and built settlements — with impunity — throughout the West Bank and all other territories occupied since 1967.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“Yitzhak Rabin also said, and put it in writing, that he recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. We have recognized one other. What opportunity for peace did we therefore waste? We responded to the efforts of the United States Administration, international initiatives and all calls for dialogue and negotiations. However, we were never offered the bare minimum of justice in accordance with international legitimacy. The current Government of the Israeli occupation is undermining international efforts. We have seriously seized every opportunity because peace is in the interest of our people and the peoples around the world, and this document shows that. Several countries, including Russia, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands, invited us to hold a dialogue with Mr. Netanyahu on their territory.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“Some say that we have wasted opportunities for peace. But that is not true. Abba Eban, the brilliant genius, said one day that Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. We never waste opportunities. Recently, some are repeating those words. Which opportunity have we have lost? Do not utter such stupid slogans. We have accepted all United Nations resolutions, from resolution 242 (1967) to resolution 2334 (2016), which amount to 87 resolutions. We became an active member of the international community. In 1993, we signed the Oslo Accord, with all its details and provisions. We recognized Israel and Israel recognized us. We recognized Israel in Oslo. Yasser Arafat said “I recognize the right of Israel to exist”.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We have signed 83 protocols with 83 countries to fight terrorism, and one of them is with the United States of America, as well as with Canada, Russia and Japan, among other countries. We are fighting terrorism. We are not terrorists, and we will remain committed to combating terrorism. We have held elections three times. We believe in democracy. The last time that we called for elections Israel rejected our request. Why? Because we cannot hold elections in Jerusalem, although we held elections in 1996, 2005 and 2006 in Jerusalem. Now we cannot. A decision has now been taken that Jerusalem is united and is the capital of the State of Israel. However, that will not happen. East Jerusalem is ours, and West Jerusalem is theirs. Nothing can prevent cooperation between both States and both capitals.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We have continued to build up our national institutions based on the rule of law and international parameters for a modern and democratic State that supports transparency, accountability and combating corruption. We are among the most important countries that are combating corruption. I call on the Security Council to send a fact-finding mission to Palestine to observe our efforts to combat corruption and to see that this emerging State, under the yoke of the occupation, is free from corruption. Anyone who claims that our State is corrupt has only to come and visit and see for themselves. We have empowered women and youth. We have worked on spreading the culture of peace among our Palestinian people. We always call for peace. We reject wars, violence and terrorism, and we fight violence and terrorism around the world.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We are appealing before the Security Council today, which has the highest legitimacy in the world, and we are committed to all Council resolutions. We also have been committed to implementing all agreements with Israel. We have behaved responsibly, which is why the world has respected us. Some 140 countries have recognized the State of Palestine. We have become a part of the international system. We became an Observer State in the General Assembly, although we were unable to become a full Member because of the veto. We have joined more than 120 international treaties and organizations. Last year the Observer State of Palestine became the Chair of the Group of 77 and China, which includes 135 countries. We do therefore exist.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I do not know who gave him that abhorrent advice. I know that President Trump is not like that. The President Trump I have met is not like that. I do not know from where he got this behaviour. I would like to recall before the Security Council that we held the Madrid Peace Conference, the Washington, D.C., negotiations, the Oslo Accord and the Annapolis Peace Conference, on the basis of resolutions of international legitimacy that called for negotiations on all final-status issues, including Jerusalem. We should negotiate over Jerusalem. We cannot dictate that Jerusalem is to be given to the State of Israel. No, Jerusalem is occupied land. Who has the right to give it as a gift to one State or another?”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We have spoken many times about international legitimacy and the vision of the two- State solution, and he agreed with me and said that he would announce that. We also talked about the 1967 borders, Jerusalem, security and other issues, which we discussed in Oslo. I was happy to discuss those issues with him at the time. However, I was surprised afterwards when the office of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington, D.C., was closed, and they declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. How is that possible? He transferred his Embassy, and called on other countries around the world to do the same. Moreover, he stopped sending us aid, which amounted to $840 million. He also stopped sending assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I have come here to build an international partnership to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. We are still committed to that peace as a strategic choice. This deal is not an international partnership. It has come from one State, with the support of another, to be imposed on the world and on international legitimacy, which is represented by hundreds of United Nations resolutions and dozens of Security Council resolutions. We reject this deal. I wonder why there is determination to draft this United States-Israeli plan alone, given that we have been engaged in dialogue with the United States Administration in 2017, and we have spoken about all the final-status issues. President Trump and I had a long discussion.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We salute the Palestinian, Arab and Islamic peoples and all those who champion peace around the world and who have taken to the streets by the thousands and hundreds of thousands in the West Bank and in Gaza. Although it is freezing there, they are taking to the streets by the hundreds of thousands to say “no” to this deal. Some are saying that it is a just deal and that only Abu Mazen and two or three of his supporters are rejecting the deal, but it is not like that. Hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets to say “no” to this deal. Tens of thousands around the world are saying “no” to this deal. Some people insist that this deal is a just one. It is not. I have come to the Security Council today to say that peace between the two Israeli and Palestinian peoples is still possible and achievable.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“We also thank American organizations and free people who have rejected this deal. We value their commitments and positions in support of peace and upholding international legitimacy. Some 300 Israeli officers have rejected the deal in this document — 300 Israeli officers who have fought for their country and now confirm that they are fighting for what is just. We also welcome Israeli demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv to reject this deal. I have here a letter signed by 107 members of the United States Congress and another signed by 12 members of the United States Senate, including some presidential candidates. They all reject this deal.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“This deal dictates its own terms and the entrenchment of occupation, annexation by military force and the strengthening of the obsolete apartheid regime that has now returned to Palestine. The deal rewards occupation instead of holding Israel accountable for all the crimes perpetrated against our people and our land for decades. In that regard, I would like to thank countries, regional and international organizations, parliaments and members of the Security Council for helping us defend the international consensus based on international legitimacy and relevant United Nations resolutions We also thank Israelis — yes, Israelis — who have also rejected this deal in different ways, and those who stood with us in the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“This deal confines our people and homeland in residential fragmented areas and leaves them without any control over the land, air and sea. It would put an end to the Palestinian refugees. It would definitely eliminate all bases for the peace process. It is tantamount to a rejection of all signed agreements based on the establishment of two States along the 1967 borders. This deal will not bring peace or stability to the region, and therefore we will not accept it. We will confront its application on the ground. I have before me a summary of the project that has been presented to us. The map shows the State that they would give us. It is like Swiss cheese. What Council member would accept such a State?”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“The broad rejection of this deal is the result of its unilateral positions and the fact that it flagrantly violates international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. It annuls the legitimacy of the Palestinians’ rights to self-determination, freedom and independence in their own State. It legitimizes illegality, settlements and the confiscation and annexation of Palestinian territories. I reaffirm that this deal or any part thereof cannot be considered an international reference for negotiations. This deal is a proactive Israeli-United States arrangement with a view to liquidating the Palestinian question. We have rejected it because it removes East Jerusalem from Palestinian sovereignty. That alone is enough for us to reject it.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“I have come to the Security Council on behalf of 13 million Palestinians to call for a just peace and nothing more. I have come here today to reaffirm the Palestinian position in rejection of the Israeli-United States deal. Our position is supported by the outcomes of meetings held by the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union, which all concluded that the deal must be rejected in totality, in addition to statements issued by the European Union, Russia, China, Japan and other countries around the world. I cite in particular the statements of the Secretary-General, who has reaffirmed the international terms of reference and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.”
2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source
“Ifjustice for all people cannot be attained here, where should we go? Please help us. We call upon the Council to help us so that we do not commit acts that are at variance with our beliefs, those of the Council and the world.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Therefore we will call a general referendum. We knocked on your door today, Mr. President, as you preside over the highest international body entrusted with the maintenance of international peace and security. We have presented our vision for peace. It is hoped that it will be received with wisdom and justice. We are ready to begin negotiations immediately in order to achieve the freedom and independence of our people - just like all other nations - as well as peace and security for everyone in our region and the world, so that future generations can enjoy the benefits of that peace, following the enormous sacrifices made by our people. We recognize our martyrs, the wounded and the prisoners. The Security Council is the highest world body. After the Council, we leave our issue in the hands of the Almighty, until Judgment Day.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Pending a just solution for the refugees' issue, there must be ongoing international commitment and support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Who will take care of the 6 million educated refugees if assistance for them is halted? If assistance is stopped, they will become terrorists or refugees in Europe. That is the alternative unless the Council continues to support UNWRA until the crisis ends. We stand ready to embark on the longest journey to the farthest places in the world in order to enjoy our rights but we will not move one inch if we are asked to forsake those rights. We will present any agreement reached with Israel to a general referendum among our people so as to respect democracy and strengthen legitimacy. We believe we are a democratic and civilized people.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“We reject partial solutions and a State that has provisional borders. Thirdly, we call for the acceptance of minimal land swaps that are equal in value and size in accordance with an agreement between the two parties. Fourthly, East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine, open to the members of the three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Fifthly, we must ensure the security of the two States, without undermining their independence and sovereignty, by the presence on the borders of a third party to protect Israel and Palestine. Sovereignty is key and cannot be preserved by hegemony and control. Sixthly, there must be a just and agreed upon solution for Palestine refugees on the basis of resolution 194 (III) and in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“All 57 Arab and Muslim countries will recognize the State ofIsrael and normalize relations with it, as stipulated in several Arab summit agreements. In that regard, we reiterate the terms of reference for any upcoming negotiations, including, first, respect for international law. We are a State, but that has not yet been recognized. Nevertheless, we affirm respect for international law and relevant resolutions. First, all resolutions must be respected, including resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), through to resolution 2334 (2016), and the Arab Peace Initiative, along with signed agreements. Secondly, we affirm the preservation of the principle of the two- State solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine, living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security on the basis of4 June 1967 borders.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“At the same time, the State of Palestine would refrain from joining other organizations, as we have already committed ourselves to 22 international organizations out of 500 organizations and treaties. We have committed and we continue to be committed, although unfortunately the United States Administration did not fulfil its commitment. Thirdly, the Arab Peace Initiative must be implemented, as adopted from A to Z, and not from Z to A. According to the Initiative, the Palestinian question must be resolved first, before regional issues. That was affirmed by the Initiative and all Arabs and Muslims who have adopted it. When the Initiative is implemented and the State of Palestine is recognized within the 1967 borders and the problem is resolved, all Arabs and Muslims will be ready to recognize the State of Israel - all Arabs and Muslims.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Secondly, during negotiations all parties must refrain from unilateral actions, in particular any that would prejudice the outcome of final-status negotiations, as set forth in the Oslo Accords of 1993. The Oslo Accords stipulate that all parties must refrain from unilateral actions, and, above all, any solution must be based on the cessation of settlement activities in territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and the suspension of the decision concerning Jerusalem and the transfer of the United States embassy there, as that hinders negotiations. The relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 476 (1980) and 478 (1980), mustbe respected.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“During its second phase, it should result in the establishment of an international multilateral mechanism that will facilitate negotiations between the two parties to resolve all permanent status issues as defined by the Oslo Accords, including the issues of Jerusalem, borders, security, settlements, refugees, water and prisoners, which are to be resolved through an agreement by both parties. Negotiations leading up to that mechanism must be based on international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, and their outcome must be implemented within a corresponding time frame with assurances for that implementation. Negotiations are to be defined by a timeline at the end of which the agreement must be implemented. That is the only way to resolve this long-standing conflict in the Middle East.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“First, during its initial phase, it should result in the admission of the State of Palestine as a full Member to the United Nations, and that is what we deserve. Does not everyone here believe that we deserve to become a full Member? Why not? We call on the Security Council to realize that goal. We will come to the Council in line with General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012, adopted by 138 votes in favour to 9 votes against, which supported our non-member observer status and guaranteed international protection for our people based on the 1967 borders and the exchange of recognition between the State of Palestine and the State of Israel along the 1967 borders.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“First, we call for the convening of an international peace conference by mid-2018, predicated upon international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, with broad international participation, including the two parties concerned and regional and international stakeholders, foremost among them the permanent members of the Security Council and the Quartet in the same framework as the Paris conference for peace in the Middle East and the conference to be held in Moscow in line with resolution 1850 (2009). We have accordingly called for the convening of an international peace conference. The conference in Paris was attended by representatives of 74 States. The outcome of the proposed conference should be as follows.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“We are here to build a culture of peace, reject violence, save the principle of two-States, obtain security and stability for all, restore hope to our people and the peoples of the region, and find a way out of the impasse which we face. We believe in comprehensive, lasting andjust peace that is a strategic choice for the sake of future generations in our region, Palestinians and Israelis. I will therefore inform the Council about our plan.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“I say 13 million Palestinians, and others say that that is not true. But we are 13 million Palestinians whether we live within Palestine or in other countries. I have come here before the Council in the middle of the deadlock in the peace process caused by the decision of the United States regarding Jerusalem, Israel's ongoing illegal settlement activities, its failure to respect signed agreements and its violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, the latest of which is resolution 2334 (2016). We are here because of the Palestinians' desire to continue working constructively and courageously. We have the full courage to say yes and the full courage to say no, based on international law and our interests.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Recognition does not run contrary to negotiations, but rather promotes them. I therefore call on members that have yet to recognize the State of Palestine to do so. In the future, we will intensify our work to achieve admission as a full Member to the United Nations. We came to the Council once with that proposition and were rejected. We will come again and ensure international protection for our people. We will come to the Council and appeal for international protection for our people. The situation is no longer tolerable. Members have listened to the Special Coordinator's briefing and we hope that they will support our efforts to secure the rights of 13 million Palestinians yearning for an independent homeland, just like every people in the world, and for their State to assume its rightful place within the international community.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“We want to realize our national aspirations, but at the same time we will continue to oppose any attempt from any side to impose solutions undermining that legitimacy. We will reject with all our capabilities any solution that violates that legitimacy. We have been granted the status of non-member observer State by the General Assembly, based upon which we have become State party to 105 international institutions, organizations and treaties. We have been recognized by 138 States. All of that has further strengthened the status of the State of Palestine, which continues to seek other recognition by the remaining States in the world, including States Members on the Council that have yet to recognize the State of Palestine despite the fact that the recognition of the State of Palestine does not negate negotiations.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“We do not oppose Israel shouldering its responsibility in the West Bank and Gaza because the situation is unbearable and unacceptable. In spite of that, before the Council I reaffirm our commitment to maintaining our institutions and achievements, which we have carried out on the ground in Palestine and in the international arena, thanks to the assistance of those present. We are determined to remain committed to the political, diplomatic and legal path, rejecting all violence and through political negotiations which we have never rejected. We will continue to extend our hands to make peace and work to end the Israeli occupation, based on the two-State solution along 1967 borders - two States recognized by the international community - pursuant to the relevant resolutions.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Therefore, it is our view and position that in order to solve the Palestinian question it is essential to establish a multilateral international mechanism that emanates from an international conference and is in line with international law and relevant resolutions. Faced with Israel's policies and practices in violation of international law and its non-compliance and non-implementation of agreements signed, the Palestinian Central Council - the highest Palestinian parliamentary body - decided several weeks ago to re-evaluate the relationship with Israel. Indeed, we will review the relationship, given that we have become an Authority without authority and the occupation has come at a great cost. We are even working for the occupation as its employees. We say that Israel must uphold its obligations as an occupying Power.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Most recently, the United States has decided to punish Palestinian refugees by reducing its contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, in spite of the facts that it supported the Agency's establishment and that it endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for a just and agreed solution for the plight ofthe refugees, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 194 (III). The United States has contradicted itself. It has contradicted its own commitments and violated international law and relevant resolutions with its decision regarding Jerusalem. No country alone can resolve a regional or international conflict without the participation of other international partners.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“It has been occupied since 1967, and it is our capital, which we wish to be a city that is open to all the faithful of the monotheistic religions, especially Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It is also strange that the United States still includes the Palestine Liberation Organization on its terrorist list and imposes restrictions on the work of our Mission in Washington, DC, under the pretext of congressional decisions since 1987. Despite our bilateral relations with the United States, including assistance, visits and broad relations, we come to discover that the United States Congress believes we are terrorists. If the Congress believes we are terrorists, how is it that the Administration has relations with us? How is it visiting us? How is it providing assistance to us? How can it help terrorists?”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Donald Trump, four times in 2017. We expressed our absolute readiness to reach a historic peace agreement. We repeatedly reaffirmed our position, in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and the two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 borders. Yet that Administration has not clarified its position. Is it for the two-State solution or the one-State solution? Subsequently, in a dangerous and unprecedented manner, the United States Administration made an unlawful decision, which was rejected by the international community, that resulted in taking the issue of Jerusalem off the table, without reason. It decided to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfer its Embassy there. It did so ignoring that East Jerusalem is part of Palestinian territory.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“It has transformed the occupation from a temporary situation, as per international law, into a situation of a permanent colonization of territories that it has occupied since 1967. It was supposed to be temporary; however, it has become permanent. It colonized all the areas that it wanted, including Jerusalem, which the Council considers an occupied territory. How can that happen? Israel has shut all doors on the two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 borders. Here, we reaffirm, as we have done in the past, that our problem is not with the followers ofJudaism. Judaism is a monotheistic religion, as are Christianity and Islam. Our problem is only with the occupiers of our land and those denying our independence and freedom, regardless of their religion. We met with the President of the United States, Mr.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“Is it logical that despite the adoption of 705 General Assembly resolutions since 1948 and 86 Security Council resolutions in our favour, none of them have been implemented? Where are those resolutions that the Council has adopted? There are 86 Security Council resolutions, with no result whatsoever. Is it logical for Israel to neglect its obligation to implement General Assembly resolutions 181 (II) and 194 (III)? As members of the Council may recall, those two resolutions were sine qua non for Israel to be accepted to the United Nations. Moshe Sharett wrote a letter indicating that he was ready to implement them. Owing to that commitment, Israel was accepted at the United Nations. However, up to this very day, those two resolutions have yet to be implemented. Israel is acting as a State above the law.”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source
“We have come to the United Nations believing in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which affirm, inter alia, the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, as well as a people's right to self-determination. Article 40 and 41 reaffirm that. Nobody has held Israel accountable for occupying our territories in 1948. The Charter affirms the right of people to self- determination, which is among the issues the Council will address tomorrow. We continue to engage with all of its bodies in our quest to end the occupation of our land and people. Yet, in spite of all of that, the United Nations has failed to implement its relevant resolutions to date. Is that possible?”
2018-02-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8183 (2018) · source