News / Palestine

UN committed to peace ‘based on end to Israeli occupation’

Wednesday, 01 May 2024 6:37 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 01 May 2024 6:56 PM ]

A man with his belongings loaded on a cart flees the city of Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on April 17, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the so-called two-state solution is the only way that can end Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian land.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the UN chief reaffirmed the organization’s “hope” for a two-state solution, calling it the only long-lasting path to peace.

“The UN is totally committed to supporting a pathway to peace, based on an end to the occupation and the establishment of a fully independent, democratic, viable, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part,” the statement read.

This is the moment to reaffirm our hope for, and contributions to, a two-state solution -- the only sustainable path to peace & security for Israelis, Palestinians & the wider region.
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The @UN is totally committed to supporting a pathway to peace, based on an end to the… pic.twitter.com/Qeh9NjQSxF
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 1, 2024

During a speech at the UN headquarters in New York, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations, called on the countries that have not recognized a State of Palestine to do so now.

“For those who have not yet recognized a State of Palestine, we say there are no grounds for further delay. Those who want to destroy a Palestinian state and with it any chance for peace are not waiting,” Mansour said.

“If you wonder if you are on the right side of history, ask yourselves one question: ‘Is what I’m doing advocating freedom and peace or enabling continued oppression and conflict?’ You should ask yourself that question.”

"The time for recognition of the State of Palestine is right now. We are grateful to Barbados & Jamaica for their decisions immediately after the SC vote on admission to recognize the State of Palestine, joining 140 states that had undertaken such an important step" (pt.1/2) pic.twitter.com/wpoObw3KU9
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) May 1, 2024

Barbados and Jamaica are the latest countries to recognize Palestine, joining 140 others.

Mansour has said in the face of Israel’s cruel and barbarous campaign in Gaza, UN membership is a priority for the Palestinians.

Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has long ruled out Palestinian statehood.

The United States, Israel’s great benefactor, has already blocked all attempts by the Palestinians for full membership.

Palestinians want the resolution of the conflict with Israel based on the so-called two-state solution along the pre-1967 boundaries. But Israeli officials insist on maintaining the occupation of Palestinian territories.

Independent observers say the solution has been used as a “smokescreen” to fake concern for Palestinians’ rights while leaving the regime to press ahead with its acts of genocide.

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