WASHINGTON: Pakistan on Tuesday joined seven other members of the UN Security Council in reiterating firm opposition to the annexation of any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people.
All seven nations warned that such actions violated international law and undermined prospects for peace.
The briefing, however, was delayed because the Israeli Ambassador Danny Dannon occupied the microphone and spoke first, although Pakistan pointed out that the slot was reserved for the seven-nation stakeout. Asked to explain Israel’s position about reported US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad, Dannon said that Israel has “continued its participation” in the war and will “continue to attack targets” until it achieves its objectives.
At a Security Council press stakeout, Pakistan delivered the first portion of a joint statement on behalf of Bahrain, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Pakistan, Somalia and the United Kingdom.
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“Guided by the UN Charter and recalling the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2334, we reiterate our firm opposition to annexation of any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to any forcible displacement of the Palestinian people,” said the joint statement read by Pakistan’s UN ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
The group recalled that the council “has condemned all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
They stressed that such measures “violate international law, undermine ongoing peace efforts, run counter to the comprehensive plan and jeopardise the prospect of achieving just and lasting peace”.
The statement underscored that the council “has also demanded that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,” and that it fully respect all of its legal obligations in this regard.
Describing settlements as illegal, the members said: “This illegal settlement policy and Israeli settlers’ continuous and escalating attacks against the Palestinian civilian population, as well as the violence against Palestinian communities, including the recent killing of Palestinian children by Israeli forces, are unacceptable and must be brought to an immediate end and we call for those responsible to be held to account.”
In the second segment of the stakeout, delivered by Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont of France, the members reaffirmed “the council’s call for the preservation of the historic status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem.”
They expressed “deep concern regarding the grave humanitarian and economic situation unfolding in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” attributing it “notably due to the severe restrictions on movement and access and to the withholding of Palestinian tax revenues by Israel.” The group added: “We call for these matters to be addressed urgently.”
