Statement by
H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Zuhuree, Deputy Permanent Representative
at the Plenary
on Agenda item 38: Question of Palestine
2 December 2020

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening this important dialogue on the Question of Palestine in the General Assembly.

My delegation welcomes the Reports of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and the Secretary General under this agenda item. The reports sheds light on the disturbing and uncomfortable truths on the suffering that the Palestinian people are subjected to on a continuous basis.

Mr. President,

For 53 years, the Israeli occupation of Palestine has deprived the Palestinians from exercising their human rights to freedom and peace.  Moreover, the occupation, combined with its illegal settlement activity, the ongoing illegal Gaza blockade, and the threat of further annexation of Palestinian lands by Israel, are subsequently resulting in the further deterioration of the security, human rights and socioeconomic situation of the Palestinian people. The vulnerability of the Palestinian people is further affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory underscores the vital role of UNRWA, the only lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees. We join the Secretary General in urging the Member States to continue their support of UNRWA.

Mr. President,

Across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the occupying power Israel continues to strip away the dignity of the Palestinian people through arbitrary arrests, discrimination, administrative detention, including that of children, restrictions on freedom of movement, violations of the right to worship, and by depriving access to education and health care. The Maldives reiterates its call to the international community to protect and promote the human rights of the most vulnerable in Palestine, in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights laws.

Over 140 countries have formally recognized the State of Palestine, making the wishes of the international community abundantly clear. The annexation plan by Israel is a blatant demonstration of its disregard towards the wishes of the international community for peace.  Israel continues to challenge not only the international community, but the Security Council itself. Israel has not taken any step to abide by the Security Council Resolution 2334. Instead, Israel continues to violate international law, and in direct contradiction to the legal obligation to protect the lives and health of Palestinians under occupation, it further jeopardizes the Palestinian people by its excessive, indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against civilians. The impunity with which the Israeli forces operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a serious threat to a rules-based international order.

Mr. President,

The Maldives welcomes all productive steps towards a durable peace in the Middle East, but stand assured in our belief that there will be no meaningful peace in the Middle East as long as the Palestinian people are oppressed and under occupation. Thus, in good faith, we cannot condone any recognition of Israel that is not accompanied with the equal restoration and recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people, universally by the international community and by Israel.

Mr. President,

Peace for the Palestinian people is long overdue. The Maldives reiterates its call for the two-State solution, and supports the formation of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine established on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, where the people of both States live side by side in peace, security and harmony. We see this as the only viable solution that can bring lasting peace to the people of Palestine and to the region.

In conclusion, the Maldives would like to assure the people of Palestine that the people of Maldives stands with them, until such time as an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian State is established ending the unlawful Israeli occupation which began in 1967.

I thank you.