Permanent Observer Missionof the AFRICANUNIONto the United Nations

MissionPermanente d'Observation de I'UNION AFRICAINE auprds des NationsUnies UNNO AFRICANA

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SPECIALMEETINGTO MARK 40 YEARSOF OCCUPATION ISRAELOF THE BY PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

STATEMENT BY

H. E. Mrs. Lila Hanitra Ratsifandrihamanana
Ambassador, PermanentRepresentativeof the African Union PermanentObserver to the United Nations

New York, 7 June 2007
( Check against delivery)

AfricanUnion,throughher voice and throughthe presentmessage the of Chairperson the Commission, of paystribute this Committee haveconsecrated to to this week to mark the 40thanniversary the lsraeloccupation the palestinian of of territory. We reiterate,right from the start and without any reserve,our perfect solidarity the oppressed with greatin hissacrifice in hisdignity. brother, as This anniversary not likeso manyothers is that are celebrated joy and with in feastivity. This anniversary callsuponus to resolve and bow in the memory those of thatsuccumbed the untiring in fightforjustice and liberty. This anniversary upon calls us to meditate, carryout necessary to introspection, also to take up the duty of but expression. 40 yearsof occupation, us Africans havesuffered illsof colonization, for that the it is afterall,yearsof despair andfrustration. single No would be eloquentenough to describe suffering the livedin dailyby men,women, children, whoseonlyfaultwas to be bornon a soil blessed the Godsbut envied by men.40 years,14600 by daysand nights of agony, the ravages,pillage,spoliation, torture, killings,despite the declaration cessation hostilities June 1967. profound of of in A declaration crusted in ourmemories, source thousands hopeandthousand of of deceptions. 40 yearsoccupation, is also40 yearsof the international it community, through the adoption multiple of resolutions.wishto citehereResolution adopted the I 242 by Se c u ri ty o u n ciiln 1 9 6 7 , e solution in 1973, C R 338 and Resolution 13g7in 2002.l w i l l also mentionhere, among others,the Arab Peace and the QuartetRoad Map Initiatives. all theseinitiatives, African To the Unionreiterates firmattachment its and callsfor theireffective implementation. As, unfortunately, these40 yearshavealsobeenwitness the powerlessness to of the International Community enforce worldorderandjusticeas a whole. As to the we all have seen and know,the international laws, the human rights,have been violated are to thisday,amplify infinity lsraeli-Palestine and to the conflict. Thesefortyyearshavebeenspecially marked the confiscation the lsraeli by by c o l o n i e o f th o u sa n d o f P a l estinian eas, s s ar including EastJer usalem, violati on in of the4'nGeneva Convention its firstadditional and protocol. The majority the United of particularly Security Nations Organs, the Council, General Assembly, International the Courtof Justice, affirmthe illegitimacy thesecolonies of and havecalled themto for b e d i sma n tl e d . As we talk about the dialogue amongcivilizations, the time that general at mobilization required, is facedwith new challenges threaten that humanity, suchas theclimate change the AIDSpandemic, Wallwas erected 2003,bringing it or a in with the overall cleavage between peoples the powerlessness our international two and of system put an end to suchan aberration. to

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Despite advisory the noticeof July 9, 2004issuedby the International Court of Justice, despite vehement the condemnation the majority the ,member by of states, this Wall of discordpersists,and with its 500 controlposts and dense networkof barricades,transformed Palestinian the territory into an immensevirtualopen air prison. It goeswithout saying thatthis unprecedented places people deplorable the in humanitarian and socio-economic situations and in unacceptable situations that restrictions movement. their African Unionreiterates unfailing its commitment fightthe colonial to practices that have revolvedand go againstthe currentof history. Faithfulas alwaysto the principles characterize to its fundamental that and values, African the Union before as, it, the Organization AfricanUnity, have not ceasedto condemnall forms of of repression, aggression injustice, and through resolutions pertinent its and decisions. The answerdoes not lie in a military solution the lsraeli-Palestine to conflict. Only,a global peaceful solution a and settlement the matter, of based the incessant on implementationthe international the respect the international of laws, of legitimacy, the application the principleof peace for the land, could reasonably of lead to a s u s t a i n a bso l u ti o n . le Today, solemn a appeal sentto the government lsrael ceaseallfinancial is of to blockage to accept transfer the legitimate and the of fundsto the people palestine. of A solemn appealis sentto the Security Council seekfor practical to measures to bring government lsrael conform, soonas possible, its resolutions. the of to as to A solemn appeal sentto all the international is community conjugated to efforts in view of the adventof the two states,lsraeland Palestine, side by side in live harmony; Together, us act so that the Middle lets Eastopensits doorsto a new era where finally Peace andJustice reign. In conclusion, us make an ardentwish that the next celebrations this let in venue, will be, not to commemorate year of occupation, to usherin the another but liberation muchwaited by the Palestinian so for people. yo I th a n k u .