62nd SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY __________________________ Check Against Delivery ___________________ Statement by Mr. Moshe Sermoneta Counsellor Delegate to the Second Committee Explanation of Vote on draft resolution, A/C.2/62/L.7, “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources” Agenda Item 41 United Nations, New York 16 November 2007 Madame Chairperson, My delegation wishes to thank you for the opportunity to deliver a statement in explanation of vote on the draft resolution A/C.2/62/L.7. Israel is disappointed that this resolution has been introduced and adopted, yet again, by this Committee. The resolution does not advance the prospects for peace nor does it truly attempt to deal with shared natural resources, which have always been an issue negotiated bilaterally between parties to a conflict. Rather, it is solely a political instrument to perpetuate the one-sided, unbalanced, and inaccurate information campaign regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and thereby serves to disparage and ostracize the State of Israel. This Committee’s commitment to development is obstructed when it promotes a resolution that neither enhances its work nor provides pragmatic solutions. The resolution represents an abuse of the Second Committee’s mandate, and it is unfortunate that those who adhere to a myopic, singular political agenda continue to suppress the important priorities of the Committee. Ultimately, the ideals of this organization — integrity, fairness, and effectiveness — are likewise damaged. An important bilateral process between Israel and the Palestinians has already been set into motion, whereby the two parties are engaged in direct negotiations in pursuit of a lasting peace agreement. This resolution undermines those efforts and prejudges issues to be addressed in these very negotiations. But for all its political intentions, the resolution – most egregiously and above all – fails to reflect the reality on the ground. Consider this resolution and consider the reality on the ground – where a sewage project, under the direction of the World Bank, is underway in Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip, to alleviate the strain on the current cesspools near the village. Israel is working to expedite the building of the plant by tracking down non-metal pipes to be used in the facility. Consider this resolution and consider the reality on the ground – where as of today more than 230 Palestinian trainees in fields like public health, small business, agriculture, and educational planning and empowerment of women and youth, are enrolled in projects and seminars sponsored by Israel, through its Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV). Hundreds of others have participated in similar programmes over the past 15 years. Consider this resolution and consider the reality on the ground – where Israel has released approximately $250 million in tax and customs revenues, with the remaining sum (nearly $250 million) to be transferred by the end of the year, in accordance with Palestinian wishes. This resolution – like too many General Assembly resolutions on the conflict in our region – is a disturbing reminder, once again, of the colossal gap between the rhetoric in this Conference Room and the reality on the ground. It is a political tool manipulated by a handful of Member States, whose sole mission is to discredit and demonize Israel. And it has been adopted because it is, apparently, much easier to blame Israel than take a proactive stance and work towards tangible results. The Palestinians need to take responsibility for preserving their natural resources and promoting their economic development. But they are so busy fighting Israel – and each other – that they forget the basic fact that it is first and foremost their natural resources to protect. While Israel – more so than many other countries in the region – is working to improve Palestinian development, the Palestinians themselves, through third parties, support repetitive and irrelevant resolutions that merely pay lip service to the cause. Madame Chairperson, My delegation voted against this resolution. In its one-sided language and perspective, this resolution not only fails to contribute to the positive atmosphere on the ground, worse, it jeopardizes that progress. Thank you, Madame Chairperson.   2