COMMITTEE ON PALESTINIAN RIGHTS APPROVES PROGRAMMES FOR EVENTS IN VENEZUELA, 13 - 15 DECEMBER

Committee on the Inalienable Rights

of the Palestinian People

291^st Meeting (PM)

COMMITTEE ON PALESTINIAN RIGHTS APPROVES PROGRAMMES

FOR EVENTS IN VENEZUELA , 13 - 15 DECEMBER

Caracas to Host UN Latin American Regional Meeting on Question

Of Palestine , Public Forum in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People this afternoon approved the provisional programmes of two forthcoming events, which are scheduled to take place in Caracas next week:  the United Nations Latin American and Caribbean Meeting and Public Forum in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

On 13 and 14 December, the Meeting will review the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, discuss international efforts at revitalizing the political process between the parties and address the question of the support by Latin American and Caribbean countries for a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  On 15 December, the Public Forum will bring together representatives from civil society to discuss ways of supporting the Committee’s objectives within their region and worldwide.

Updating the Committee on the latest developments, its Chairman, Paul Badji (Senegal), said that since the observance of the annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, a successful debate on the question of Palestine had taken place in the Assembly, which adopted, by large majorities, resolutions on the mandates of the Committee, the Division for Palestinian Rights and the Special Information Programme on the Question of Palestine.  Also adopted was a resolution entitled “Peaceful Settlement” of the question of Palestine.

On 30 November, the Bureau of the Committee had held consultations with international experts, including former Government and United Nations officials, academics, parliamentarians and representatives of civil society.  He said the participants of the meeting had an exchange of views concerning the work of the Committee and put forward ideas concerning its future activities.

The Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the constructive debate in the Assembly on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East, in which some 50 speakers had participated.  In fact, the drafts on the mandates of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and Division for Palestinian Rights had gained two positive votes -– from Mexico and Argentina -- this year.  However, one country had changed its vote in a different direction.  The dialogue with that country would continue “to bring it to the position it had been in the past and maybe even better”.  At the same time, common understanding had been reached on many issues with members of the European Union and the Rio Group.  He also urged all delegations to take part in the action on the Fourth Committee’s (Special Political and Decolonization) resolutions related to the Palestinian question tomorrow, to produce the largest positive vote on those texts.

The situation in Palestine was extremely tense, he said, and the suffering of the Palestinian people was tremendous.  Among the latest developments, he listed Israel’s unilateral postponement of the accord on the passageway between Gaza and the West Bank, as well as its decision to resort to assassination.  Such measures would inflame the situation even further.  The Palestinian leadership had contacted the members of the Quartet and the United Nations Secretary-General, appealing to them not to allow the situation to sink any deeper into the cycle of violence and counter-violence.

In connection with a suicide bombing in the northern Israeli city of Netanya, he said that the Palestinian leadership condemned the killing of civilians inside Israel.  Regarding Gaza, he expressed appreciation for the opening of the main crossing from southern Gaza into Egypt at Rafah, but said that other issues in Gaza had not been resolved.  He also referred to the difficulties encountered with occupying authorities on the eve of elections in Palestine on 25 January:  it would be difficult for the candidates to move around.  Another issue that needed to be addressed related to the participation in the elections of Palestinians from East Jerusalem.

Responding to Mali’s question regarding the General Assembly draft on the humanitarian situation in Palestine, which had been tabled by the European Union, Mr. Mansour said that it was expected to be adopted by consensus next week.  Contrary to the false reports in the media that the Israeli delegation had succeeded in deleting an important item on Palestinian children from the Third Committee’s (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) agenda, he wanted to stress that the delegation of Palestine had indicated its willingness to withdraw a resolution in the Third Committee in exchange for adding some key elements of that text to the European Union resolution.  The Israeli delegation had not been involved in the negotiations on the matter, but his own delegation had exhibited flexibility and understanding in its contacts with its European partners.  That was a big victory for the Palestinian delegation.

Syria’s representative said the Committee was gaining momentum and support, despite the attempts to undermine its work and achievements.  The Middle East was facing a critical phase of its history, and the sacrifices of the Palestinian people had resulted in a recent withdrawal by Israel from Gaza.  He hoped the Israeli Government finally understood that peace could not be achieved while the occupation continued.  The only way out was full withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and establishment of an independent Palestinian State.  He also expressed support to the Palestinian Authority and its President Mahmoud Abbas, who had recently visited Syria.

Israel maintained its hegemony due to the unlimited support given to it by certain circles, he continued.  That country was always trying to mislead the international community.  In fact, since its withdrawal from Gaza, there had not been a single day without Israeli measures against the Palestinian people, but there had been no action by the Security Council.

He added that everybody who supported the Palestinian people would always be accused of being terrorists.  In that connection, he denied the allegations regarding the functioning of the offices of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Syria.  Those offices had been closed, and his Government had made an official statement to that effect.  Regardless of pressures, his people would express solidarity with their Palestinian brothers.

Also speaking today was the representative of Venezuela, who said it was an honour for his country to host the forthcoming events in support of Israeli-Palestinian peace.  Representatives of Syria and Cuba expressed gratitude to the Government of Venezuela for hosting that important regional meeting.

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For information media • not an official record