STATEMENT BY
MR. MOHD HAFIZ OTHMAN
CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES a.i.
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE
AT THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE 74TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 3 DECEMBER 2019
Mr. President,
72 years have passed since the adoption of resolution 181 on the partition of Palestine by this General Assembly, yet the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains an issue of regional and global concern. It is a source of instability, misery, hatred, and violence - in which we - the international community have the responsibility to resolve it collectively.
2. The occupying power, Israel has been implementing policies and blockade which deprive Palestinians of most basic freedoms, including socio-economic rights and self-determination. Illegal settlements, property confiscation and demolitions, as well as the killing of many innocent Palestinian civilians by this regime continue unabated. In short, to be a Palestinian means to be deprived of many things that to others are normal.
3. It is evident that Israel’s repressive policies and practices have violated numerous UN resolutions and international law, including humanitarian law. Under the pretext of security and national interests, Israel has been depriving and taking away the basic rights and fundamental freedoms of the Palestinians. Such constant violations, in fact, will only contribute to further unrest and violence.
Mr. President,
4. Malaysia reaffirms its support to the realization of the State of Palestine based on the pre‑1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We believe that a two-State solution can lead to a peaceful and just solution to the conflict. The comprehensive solution of this decades-long conflict may also offer new openings of broader and peaceful conflict resolutions in other parts of the region.
5. As a member of the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (SCIIP) and UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), Malaysia remains committed to support the Palestinian people in their quest for basic rights, particularly their inalienable rights to self-determination, as well as their rights for sustainable development. We will also continue to extend our support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) that provides assistance, protection, and advocacy for over 20 percent of the world’s refugees.
6. Malaysia also denounces the recent decision by the US that considers Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territory of Palestine as no longer inconsistent with international law. We also strongly reject any unilateral action regarding the final status of Jerusalem.
7. To this end, Malaysia hopes that the international community can continue to strengthen its solidarity and to make every effort to uphold international law, relevant UN resolutions and respect for the human rights of the Palestinians people. In this regard, Malaysia would like to take this opportunity to applaud Canada’s decision to support and vote in favour of the resolution “The Right of the Palestinian People to Self-determination” in the Third Committee on 19 November 2019.
Mr. President,
8. This United Nations was created on the principles of ensuring the presence and practice of human rights, justice, peace, and respect for international law for all, including our Palestinian brothers and sisters.
9. For this reason, the international community must not turn a blind eye to over seven decades of misery suffered by the Palestinians, whose every human rights were being violated with complete impunity. While we are progressing in implementing the 2030 Agenda with the promise of leaving no one behind, we must not be ignorant of the rights for development, peace, and prosperity of the Palestinian people.
I thank you.