أصحاب السعادة، السيدات والسادة،

أود في البداية أن أنقل إليكم تحيات دولة فلسطين والشعب الفلسطيني مقرونة بأجمل عبارات التهاني وأجل التبريكات بمناسبة حلول العام الميلادي الجديد. كما أغتنم هذه المناسبة لنجدد إمتناننا العميق لتضامنكم ودعمكم للشعب الفلسطيني ولحقوقه غير القابلة للتصرف ولتطلعاته الوطنية المشروعة من أجل تحقيق حريته وإستقلال دولة فلسطين على أساس حدود الرابع من يونيو/حزيران 1967 وعاصمتها القدس الشرقية وتحقيق السلام العادل والدائم والشامل. لايزال لدينا الإيمان بأن السلام يمكن أن يتحقق على أرضنا، أرض السلام، لتنعم شعوب منطقتنا بظله بالإستقرار والأمن وحسن الجوار. [Read more…]

The following statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was issued on 16 Jan 2014:

Today marks the launch of the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  This will be a critical year for achieving the two-State solution, bringing an end to the occupation that started in 1967, and securing an independent, viable and sovereign State of Palestine living in peace and security with the State of Israel where each recognizes the other’s legitimate rights.

I call on all members of the international community and, in particular, Israelis and Palestinians, to work together for justice and a durable peace.  Israel and Palestine need to live up to their commitment to a negotiated two-State solution and resolve all permanent status issues, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, the Madrid principles, the Road Map, the 2002 Arab Peace initiative and existing agreements between the parties.

The leaders of Israel and Palestine will need political will, a sense of historic responsibility and a clear vision for a better future for this and future generations.  I pledge to do my utmost in support of their efforts.

Excellencies,
Deputy Secretary-General,
Chairman of the Committee,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning one and all.

Let me begin by thanking the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for the opportunity to participate in its first meeting for 2014. I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Chairman of the Committee and the other members of the Bureau for their unanimous election to this important body.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I wish to thank you, the Committee, for your dedicated work towards the achievement of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and for promoting international solidarity with the people of Palestine in their legitimate aspirations for independence and sovereignty. [Read more…]

Let me, first of all, on behalf of the Secretary-General, congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, and your distinguished colleagues, on your election to the Bureau of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

Let me also welcome the proclamation of 2014 as the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  This is a recognition of the commitment of the international community to durable peace between Israel and Palestine.

The coming year will be crucial to achieving the two-State solution.  Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are working hard towards a peaceful, comprehensive settlement of all permanent status issues. [Read more…]

Mr. Chairman, Mr. President of the General Assembly, Deputy Secretary-General, President of the Security Council, Ambassador Kohona, Ambassador Mansour, Excellencies, Sisters & Brothers: I would like to congratulate the Chair and all of the newly elected members of the Bureau, and let you know that the Israel-Palestine NGO Working Group and civil society organizations around the world pledge to stand with you and the people of Palestine as you give
leadership and guidance to 2014, the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. I want to thank the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for the invitation to participate as civil society representative in today’s first meeting of the Committee in this International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. [Read more…]

Ambassador Abdou Salam Diallo,
Ambassador Riad Mansour, Representative of the State of Palestine,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen:

Let me begin by thanking Ambassador Diallo for inviting me to address the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in my capacity as Chairman of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories. I am pleased to join you at this inaugural meeting to launch the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 68/12 of 26 November 2013. [Read more…]