The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has welcomed the adoption of several resolutions related to Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly. The resolutions were passed by the Fourth Committee, which focuses on Special Political and Decolonization Matters.
In a statement released today, the Ministry emphasized that the widespread international support for these resolutions demonstrates the global community’s recognition of the Palestinian cause and a clear rejection of what it described as the occupying power’s policies. The Ministry asserted that the overwhelming vote reflects the international community’s opposition to annexation, colonization, forced displacement, collective punishment, and the extensive destruction of infrastructure in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the ongoing situation in Gaza. These practices, according to the statement, are considered grave violations of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334.
The timing of these resolutions is particularly significant, the Ministry noted, given the ongoing challenges faced by the Palestinian people, including ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and systematic violations perpetrated by the authorities in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the besieged Gaza Strip. These violations include illegal colonization, annexation, land confiscation, and the destruction of property and infrastructure, all in blatant disregard of international law, the UN Charter, and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The Ministry highlighted the importance of these international resolutions in reaffirming the centrality of the issue of Palestinian refugees and their inalienable rights, foremost among them the right to return to their homes and properties and receive compensation. The resolutions also explicitly reject attempts to undermine or circumvent these rights. Furthermore, the Ministry stated that the adoption of these resolutions reaffirms the international community’s rejection of practices, including colonization, annexation, and the alteration of the geographic and demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territory. It calls for the immediate cessation of all activities, deeming them illegal and void under international law and Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334.
Notably, the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution concerning support for Palestinian refugees and the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
