Bozkir: Palestinians have the right to enjoy what is their own
In its 75th session, the United Nations General Assembly considered the “Question of Palestine” and emphasized that the historical and legal rights of the Palestinian people should be respected.
Today the General Assembly is considering the “Question of Palestine”. In my opening remarks, I emphasized that the historical & legal rights of the Palestinian people should be respected & a just,fair, agreed & realistic solution to the plight of Palestinian refugees be reached. pic.twitter.com/H1uFEmOUYJ
— Volkan BOZKIR (@volkan_bozkir) December 2, 2020
The UN cannot not remain complacent. We must maintain our focus on the urgent need to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In true solidarity w/the Palestinians, we must start by collectively upholding int'l law. The int'l community must fulfill its legal & moral obligation. pic.twitter.com/2P89JQFuOc
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) December 2, 2020
Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, underlined in a statement that “Palestinians have the right to be free, and secure, and they have the right to enjoy what is their own.”
“The General Assembly has adopted numerous resolutions and decisions to that effect over the past seven decades. Yet, nothing has changed,” Bozkir said.
He mentioned what the Palestinians have been facing and called to stand for justice and respect the the historical and legal rights of the Palestinian people.
“Illegal occupation continues. Unlawful settlement activities and annexation threats have accelerated. Use of force against civilians remains excessive.”
“There are attempts to change the status of Jerusalem. The blockade on Gaza remains in place, causing the people of Gaza to live in tremendous despair and insecurity.”
“Ongoing violations of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, cause immense suffering for the Palestine people. They cannot enjoy their most basic freedoms. There are constant attempts to pressure Palestinians into accepting the status quo by enforcing hardship and humiliation.”
He also said that the continuation of illegal and unacceptable practices of Israeli occupation “will only deepen the sense of injustice and breed desperation.”
He added, “Security and stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved without a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, between Israelis and Palestinians.”
He expressed his solidarity to the Palestinians by calling to collectively uphold international law and protect the established parameters of a lasting peace.
He expressed his concerns over the financial shortfall faced by UNRWA, at a time, when the needs of the 5.6 million Palestine refugees are increasing, because of the global pandemic.
“I therefore urge donors to provide UNRWA with sufficient and predictable funding, for its vital core activities and emergency appeals. UNRWA needs predictable and sustained funding to ensure stability and security for Palestine refugees,” he said.
Bozkir concluded his statement by calling to do the utmost to support the Palestinians until “a just, fair, agreed, and realistic solution to the plight of Palestine refugees is finally reached, within the framework of a two-state solution.”
