State of Qatar warns of danger of ongoing present situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories

State of Qatar

 

The State of Qatar warned against the danger of continuing the current situation in the Palestinian territories and the lack of a sustainable settlement of the Palestinian cause.

Qatar called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities in enforcing international law, implementing its resolutions, putting an end to the illegal occupation and settlement and supporting the achievement of peace.

This came in a statement made by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at UN Security Council meeting on the "situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.

The statement drew attention to the repeated provocations and attacks carried out by the authorities of the occupying power in the occupied city of Jerusalem and settlers on the Islamic and Christian holy sites, especially the Holy Mosque, which is considered one of the most important holy places for Muslims.

The statement stressed that any attempts to change the legal, historical and cultural status of the occupied city of Jerusalem constitute a violation of international law, relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and that provocative practices and other illegal measures, such as confiscating and demolishing Palestinian property, as in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods, reflect a policy to Judaize Jerusalem, expand settlements and disregard international law and resolutions of international legitimacy.

These measures led to the recent escalation that caused hundreds of civilian casualties, including dozens of children, as a result of the aerial bombardment of residential neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip, it said

The State of Qatar has sought to restore security and stability, and has taken diplomatic moves in coordination with the United Nations and brotherly and friendly countries to facilitate reaching a ceasefire agreement, the statement said, stressing the importance of a ceasefire at this stage and avoiding a re-escalation.

The State of Qatar has urged the need to address the urgent needs of the two million Palestinians whose suffering has worsened this year and are still under siege in the Gaza Strip, the statement added.

The statement said that the State of Qatar continues its pioneering efforts to provide humanitarian and development aid to meet the urgent needs of the brotherly Palestinian people, referring in this context to the financial grant that was directed by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of an amount of USD 500 million for the reconstruction of Gaza Strip. The statement noted that this complements the grants made by the State of Qatar to pay the salaries of Palestinian employees, provide financial assistance to needy families, operate power stations and develop infrastructure.

The statement renewed State of Qatar's call to the Security Council to assume its responsibilities in enforcing international law, implementing its decisions, putting an end to the illegal occupation and settlement, supporting the achievement of peace, which must be achieved through negotiations between the two parties, and on the basis of international law, United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the principle of the two-state solution that according to it, the State of Palestine will be established on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, ending the occupation of all Arab lands, and finding a just solution to the refugee issue.

The statement also reiterated the continued commitment of the State of Qatar to support and participate in all sincere international efforts aimed at achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

Regarding the Syrian crisis, the statement pointed out that this year witnessed the 10th anniversary of the launch of the peaceful demonstrations of the brotherly Syrian people, adding that the Syrian crisis is still waiting for a solution, which will not be achieved by the military option, but rather by a purposeful political process that leads to a political transition in accordance with the Geneva-1 Convention and the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254.

The statement called for completing the tasks of the Constitutional Committee, Confidence-building measures (CBMs) such as settling the file of detainees and the forcibly disappeared people, and creating conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and displaced persons.

The State of Qatar reiterated the importance of ensuring accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of chemical weapons, as accountability is a factor in sustaining peace.

The statement said that millions in Syria depend on international aid and the mechanism for delivering humanitarian assistance across borders, praising the efforts of the United Nations in this regard. The State of Qatar is at the forefront of donors to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the brotherly Syrian people, the statement added.

With regard to the situation in Yemen, the State of Qatar reiterated that ending the crisis there requires negotiation between the Yemeni parties on the basis of the outcomes of the national dialogue, the Gulf initiative and relevant Security Council resolutions, especially Resolution 2216, stressing that this solution will contribute to overcoming the humanitarian difficulties that face Yemen and preserving its unity, sovereignty and independence.

On the situation in Libya, the State of Qatar expressed satisfaction with the efforts made by the Libyans and the support of the international community that led to the encouraging developments that took place over the past year, including the ceasefire agreement, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) and the formation of the Interim Government of National Unity.

The statement indicated that the State of Qatar stressed the importance of ensuring commitment to maintaining this progress on the political, economic and security tracks and ensuring that the elections are held on the specified date, in order to consolidate and sustain stability in the interest of the brotherly Libyan people.

In conclusion, the statement underlined that the State of Qatar firmly believes in the principle of settling disputes by peaceful means, continues mediation efforts and other efforts that contribute to consolidating the foundations of sustainable peace at the regional and international levels, and works with international partners to reduce tensions, end crises, and achieve stability, security and the common interest of all.