Statement of the United Arab Emirates Before the General Assembly of the United Nations "Question of Palestine" (Item 38) Presented by: Mr. Ahmed Almahmoud A member of the United Arab Emirates Delegation 24 November 2015

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Mr. Chairman,

To celebrate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I would like to shed light on what came in the letter of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. In his letter, my president renews the UAE's continuous solidarity and support of the Palestinian people until they restore their land, and all their legitimate rights including the Right of Return, self-determination, and the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. I would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and continuous support for this committee on its efforts to reveal the facts about the dangerous violations Israel "the occupying power" is committing against the Palestinian people, and the committee's support of their just cause.

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Mr. Chairman, Our meeting today on this item is being held during a very critical stage for the Palestinian issue, both in terms of the worsening situation on the ground, and the continuing stagnation of the political process that is still moving towards a dead-end. In terms of the situation on the ground, you might have all witnessed the violence and chaos that has prevailed in the Palestinian territories in the last few months, especially in East Jerusalem and Hebron, following the serious escalations carried out by the Israeli government and its settlers, where Israel committed a number of heinous crimes against the Palestinian people including the killing of civilians, destruction of houses, and mass arbitrary arrests that included children. Moreover, Israel continues to build more settlements and confiscate land, in addition to the violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Muslim and Christian holy sites at the hands of groups of extremist settlers under the protection of the Israeli military forces. Israel continues to impose its inhumane siege on the Gaza Strip since 2006, whose residents suffer from deprivation, poverty, and displacement due to the devastating destruction caused by the repeated Israeli wars on most of its residential areas and basic infrastructure. Therefore, Israel holds the primary responsibility for the ongoing escalation of violence in the Palestinian territories, its continued occupation, and destruction of the Palestinian economy and heritage. Additionally, the growing poverty and unemployment among the Palestinian people caused frustration and anger. These Israeli practices also contributed to the instability and insecurity in the region. Mr. Chairman, The United Arab Emirates denounces and condemns, once again, and in the strongest terms, all Israeli provocative policies and practices, and it's repeated serious violations, which are considered invalid and illegal, and constitute a flagrant legal and political breach to the provisions of international law and international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and the relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

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Mr. Chairman, We urge the international community to bear its responsibility towards violations committed by Israel, in order to change the current situation in Jerusalem, and exert its best efforts to save the peace process, and take all necessary measures to stop settlers from invading Al-Aqsa Mosque. We also demand international protection for the defenseless Palestinian people, based on the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and all following protocols. We also stress the importance of the leading role of the Security Council, including issuing a resolution to put in place mechanisms and procedures that guarantee the protection and safety of Palestinian civilians.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman The United Arab Emirates, which co-sponsors a number of resolutions before the general assembly under this item, believes that a just, comprehensive and lasting solution for the Palestinian cause is the key to guarantee peace and stability in the Middle East. This cannot be achieved without the support of the international community for the legitimate and national rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people, and through addressing the roots and causes of the Arab-Israeli conflict. We also call for the full withdrawal of the Israel forces to the lines of June 4, 1967, including the Holy City of Jerusalem, and the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the two-state solution, the international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the resolutions of international legitimacy, the principle of land for peace, the Roadmap, Madrid principles, and the Arab Peace Initiative. Thank you, Mr. Chairman

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