United Nations Security Council
Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
Statement by:
His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Sareer
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations
New York, 21 April 2015
Thank you Madam President,
On behalf of the Republic of Maldives I wish to express our deep appreciation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in its capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of April, for convening this timely debate in connection with the agenda item on the Situation in the Middle East including the Question of Palestine. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Secretary General for his briefing and dedicated efforts towards finding a lasting solution to the various conflicts that still plague this region.
Madam President,
The Maldives takes this opportunity to express once again, its unyielding support for the people and cause of Palestine and its support for bringing to an end the violence in the region. It is with great sadness that we bear witness to continuing atrocities by those who choose to promote violence, hatred and fear. Time and time again, progress made has given way to conflict, making it seemingly impossible to see lasting peace. The Report of the Secretary General in particular, notes that the access of Palestinians to agricultural lands in the West Bank has been denied. Agriculture is the main source of employment and resources for Palestinians, and this restriction severely limits the economic security of the Palestinian people, and the ability for the Palestinian Government to provide basic services to its people.
The Maldives reiterates its call for the full realisation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people: the right of Palestinian people to establish their own State, alongside Israel, on the basis of the Two-State solution, on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Madam President,
Violence and oppression breed hatred. Children currently living under occupation, oppressed, with their basic rights denied, are growing up with hatred in their hearts, and revenge on their minds. Today, we are seeing this hatred manifest among the young people from every nation, race and creed, with immense security implications for the Middle East and the entire world.
It is this hatred, along with misguided views and information that fuel recruits to terrorist organisations, including to the so-called Islamic State. The so-called “Islamic State” poses one of the greatest challenges facing the Islamic Ummah, and the greatest emerging threat to the global community. Their atrocities in the name of Islam are inhumane and un-Islamic. The Maldives stands with the international community in strongly condemning their activities, and in strong support of the initiatives of this Council and other Member States in this regard.
Madam President,
The situation in Syria is of great concern too. The fighting continues to escalate across the country. Yesterday, Commissioner-General of the UNRWA Pierre Krähenbühl, informed us about the perilous situation in Yarmouk. We are deeply concerned about this degrading humanitarian situation and the fact that the UN agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) did not have access to the camp and needed secure conditions to deliver aid and enable the evacuation of civilians. The protection of civilians, especially those already trapped in vulnerable situations such as the refugees of Yarmouk, must take priority.
Madam President,
We must be resolute in our efforts, as an international community, to face the challenges of our time head on. We see encouragement in the nuclear deal agreed between Iran and the P5+1. We see hope in the many pledges of humanitarian assistance and the many calls against violence, and for action. We must continue in our efforts to provide lasting solutions, to stop the senseless cycle of violence and hatred, to bring lasting change for the security and peace of our entire global community.
Thank you.
