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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL STATEMENT ON THE INTE*;"O*AL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE New York.29 November2007

This InternationalDay of Solidarity with the Palestinian Peoplecomesat a time when Palestinians continueto suffer the indignitiesand violenceof occupationand conflict, but also at a time when a new beginning hasbeenmadein efforts to achievea two Statesolutionto the conflict. Two days ago in Annapolis,President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert, meetingunder the auspices PresidentBush and beforea wide cross-section the internationalcommunity, of of including membersof the Arab League,agreedto launchnegotiationson all core issueswithout exception,in order to concludea peacetreaty resolvingall outstandingissues. They pledgedto make every effort to do this in 2008. Implementationis now paramount.What we do tomorrow is more importantthan what we saytoday. In Annapolis, I pledgedthe full supportof the United Nations ior the renewed effort. I stressed that for 60 years,the Organizationhasprovided the broad parameters peace, for first in the partitionplan, and then in SecurityCouncilresolutions 242,338,1397 andl5l j, and that today,the IIN has few higher priorities than seeingthis conflict resolved. We all know the reasons why. The Palestinians have beendeprivedof their inalienable right to self-determination 60 years.Palestinian for societyhas beenlncreasinglyfragmented territorially, by settlements, land expropriationand the barrier in the occupiedlalestinian territory; socially and economically,by closure;and politically, betwe Guruand the West "n Bank. They have begun to fear that the dreamof statehood may slip beyondtheir grasp.This growing sense despairmust be reversed. of The processlaunchedat Annapolis must changethe lives of Palestinians, and secure their independence freedom.The processmust end the occupationand createan independent and and viable Stateof Palestine,at peacewith itself and its neighbours. also must deliver-onthe It vital interests Israelis:a PalestinianStatethat is a true partnerand not a sourceof terrorism, of secure and recognized borders,and a permanentend to the conflict. We cannotclose our eyesto the profound doubt and mistrust on either side aboutthe will and capacityof the other to achievethesegoals.Despiteseveraldiplomatic landmarks, conditionson the-ground have becomeharder,not easier,for most Palestinians, for many and Israelistoo. Israel facesgenuinesecuritythreats,and Israeli civilians have died and been woundedin rocket attacks.Palestinian civilians havebeenkilled and injured in Israeli military

2 The Gaza Strip has beenalmost entirely closed,with tight restrictionson suppliesand operations. have expanded movementsof people,leadingto a gravehumanitariansituation.Settlements throughoutthe West Bank. Checkpointsand a barrier have beenerectedon occupiedland. Unemploymentand poverly are rising. The indignities, injustices,and fear on both sidesmake it difficult to build faith in the political process. But that is exactly what we have to do. We must abandonpiecemeal approaches, addressall aspects and ofthe conflict. all and address the issues:Jerusalem, Final statusnegotiationsneedto begin in earnest, refugees, borders,settlements, securityand water. The broad outlinesof solutionsto theseissues are clear. We must also help the Palestinian Authority to rebuild, reform and perform. I hope a wide rangeof donorswill stepforward with political and financial supportat the upcomingParis conference and beyond. The situationon the groundmust also improve, rapidly and visibly. Without implementinglong-standingcommitmentsunderthe Road Map and the Agreementon requiresparallel actions Movement and Access,the diplomatic process cannot succeed. Progress and clearmonitoring. If peaceis built on hope not despair,we must also reachout to the peopleof Gaza. They have sufferedmore than anyoneelsefrom conflict and poverty. Humanitarianaid is vital, and LIN efforts needthe supportof donors.But suchaid is no substitutefor a functioning economy.The time has come for concreteinitiatives to easetheir suffering. The unity of Gaza and the West Bank under the legitimatePalestinian Authority will also have to be restoredfor a peaceagreement be sustainable. to The vision of an end of occupation,an end of conflict, and two Statesliving side-by-side in peaceis a vision ofjustice, security,and peace.It is still achievable. But it will only happenif all involved take responsibilityfor contributingwhat they can.Now that the Palestinian leadership has embarkedon a new questwith Israelto end the conflict and securea betterfuture for their children, let us show our solidarity with the Palestinian people- and the Israeli people too - by giving our unyielding supportto their efforts, and not restinguntil the goal is achieved.