Mr. Chairman,
My Delegation
would like to begin by expressing its appreciation to the Commissioner-General
of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East for the annual report on the works of the agency during the past year.
Commissioner-General Karen Abu Zayd’s report is noteworthy for two reasons:
first, this is the 60th anniversary of the founding of UNRWA, and second, the
past year has been exceptionally difficult for UNRWA.
My Delegation takes this occasion to express gratitude and appreciation for the
six decades of service and assistance provided by UNRWA to the Palestine
refugees. We also offer sincere condolences for those members of the UNWRA staff
killed or injured while carrying out their duties over the last 60 years.
UNRWA was created as a temporary UN body, given the task of serving Palestine
refugees until such time as their situation was justly resolved. Now, six
decades later, UNRWA’s very existence is a reminder that the question of
Palestine refugees remains unresolved.
Mr. Chairman,
This tragic reality brings my Delegation to the second point: namely, that this
report speaks of the tragedies and difficulties currently endured by the
refugees just as they have been for the past six decades. The Holy See
understands precisely how the current situation has impacted the lives of
millions with great adversity. Working with its worldwide donors and
collaborators, the Pontifical Mission for Palestine, also founded as a temporary
agency in 1949, currently provides education, health services, relief, social
services and employment programs to the Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon,
the Syrian Arab Republic, the West Bank and Gaza along with UNRWA.
Mr. Chairman,
Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains key to resolving so many of
the situations that bring chaos to the region of the Middle East and which have
serious worldwide implications. Regrettably, there is a failure on the part of
both concerned parties to engage in significant and substantive dialogue and
dispute resolution in order to bring stability and peace to the Holy Land. More
than ever before, the international community is needed to continue its efforts
to facilitate with haste a rapprochement of the parties. Obviously, those
brokering the negotiations will have to maintain a balanced approach, avoiding
the imposition of preconditions on either side.
In the hope that the many problems of the region will finally be resolved by
negotiation and dialogue, my Delegation further underlines that a lasting
solution must include the status of the Holy City of Jerusalem. In light, too,
of the numerous incidents of violence and challenges to free movement posed by
the Security Wall, the Holy See renews its support for “internationally
guaranteed provisions to ensure the freedom of religion and conscience of its
inhabitants, as well as permanent, free and unhindered access to the Holy Places
by the faithful of all religions and nationalities” (A/RES/ES-10/2).
Finally, we repeat our call to the international community to facilitate
significant negotiations between the conflicting parties. Only with a just and
lasting peace – not imposed but secured through negotiation and reasonable
compromise – will the legitimate aspirations of all the peoples of the Holy Land
be fulfilled.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
