NGO MEETING ON PALESTINE IS TOLD GLOBAL PUBLIC OPINION MUST BE MOBILIZED ON BEHALF OF PEACE PROCESS

26 August 1997

Press Release
PAL/1843
NGO/290

NGO MEETING ON PALESTINE IS TOLD GLOBAL PUBLIC OPINION MUST BE MOBILIZED ON BEHALF OF PEACE PROCESS

19970826 Delegates Stress Need for Pressure on Israeli Government to Live Up to Obligations of Oslo Accords

GENEVA, 25 August (UN Information Service) -- The International NGO Meeting/European NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine this afternoon discussed the current status of the peace process, the situation on the ground in the region, and the role of the High Parties to the Geneva Convention relative to Civilian Persons in Time of War.

In the discussion that followed the formal statements, there was a review of matters related to the mobilization of a large number of non- governmental organizations to help in the peace process and in harnessing international public opinion to put pressure on the Israeli Government to live up to its obligations.

The meeting is being held under the auspices of the General Assembly's Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

Statements

AS'AD ABDUL RAHMAN, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said that the fears of a setback in the peace process expressed last year had become reality today. The future of Middle East peace had never been more in jeopardy. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, believed that power was the only instrument that should be used against his "enemies". He had shown his dislike for the Oslo Accords. Following the recent terrorist acts in Jerusalem, the Netanyahu Government had taken measures which directly violated not only the Oslo Accords, but international law on human rights. The closure of the borders and road blockades had severely affected the economic situation of the population. The Palestinian Authority believed that terrorism was a common enemy which should be combated.

PETER HANSEN, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said the internal closure within Gaza had strangled social and economic activities.

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The social and economic situation had already eroded during the intifadah campaign and the Gulf War; now, people had to sell their traditional jewels and wedding rings in order to satisfy their daily needs. The blockade on imported goods had also halted all building and other construction activities, which, at one time, had been growing in the region. In addition, the lack of raw materials and non-payment of salaries to employees had led to factory closures. In general, during the 1990s, the economic and social situation of Palestine had deteriorated drastically. In Gaza alone, there were 730,000 registered refugees, or 75 per cent of the population. Moreover, because of cuts in funds, UNRWA was not able to provide adequate education to refugee children.

ASTHMA KHADER, Director-General of Al-Haq, Law for the Service of Man, Ramallah, referring to the role of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, said that since the occupation the Palestinian people had been suffering, despite the safeguards enshrined in that treaty. Civilians in Palestine continued to suffer from gross violations of their rights at the hands of the Israelis. The international community must now move from moral to legal support for the cause of Palestinians.

NASSER AL-KIDWA, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations in New York, said Israel had continued its settlement projects despite the outcry of the international community. Such measures aggravated and complicated the situation. There should be a further emergency special session of the General Assembly to deal with Palestine. Such a session was necessary when the Security Council failed to discharge its responsibilities.

AHMAD SAAD, member of the Israeli Knesset representing the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, said the existence of broad policy lines of expansion within the Government of Israel had made progress in the peace process impossible. Negotiations should be conducted to safeguard the region from suicidal policies and to avoid a fresh catastrophe.

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