Ref: 61/2018
Date: 14 June 2018
Press Release,
The International Commission (ICSPR) welcomes the UN General Assembly resolution.
The International Commission to Support Palestinians’ Rights (ICSPR) welcomes the resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on Thursday (14 June 2018) entitled with “The protection of the Palestinian civilian population”, with the support of 120 members, 8 against and the abstentions of 45, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the draft resolution submitted by Algeria and Turkey, which are presiding over the Arab Group and the OIC Summit, in addition to Palestine and a number of other supporting countries.
The resolution was adopted during the tenth emergency special session, in accordance with item 5 of its agenda (Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory).
The tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly was first convened in April 1997, following a series of meetings of the Security Council and the General Assembly to consider the construction of the Har Homa settlement at Jabal Abu Ghneim in the south of occupied East Jerusalem, the session resumed on 21 December 2017 to consider the crisis in Gaza Strip, at the request of the President of the General Assembly.
The resolution expressed the General Assembly’s deep concern on the escalation of violence and tension and the deterioration of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in particular since 30 March 2018, and its deep sorrow for those who lost their lives and the high number of injured among the Palestinian civilians, especially in Gaza Strip, including children, as a result of the Israeli forces actions. They also expressed their concern over the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip and stressed on the need for a solution to the crisis, in accordance with international law, and the resolution reaffirmed on the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration, freedom of expression and association.
The resolution also condemned any use by the Israeli forces of excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and particularly in Gaza Strip, including the use of live ammunition against civilian demonstrators, especially children, medical personnel and journalists, and it expresses its deep concern at the loss of innocent lives and calls upon Israel “the ruling state by occupation” to refrain from such acts and to fully comply with the legal obligations and responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949.
The resolution called for measures to be taken to ensure the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in Gaza Strip, through immediate steps to end the closure and restrictions policy imposed by Israel on the movement to and out of Gaza Strip, and the continuous opening of Gaza Strip crossings for the passage of humanitarian aid, goods and persons in accordance with international law. The resolution also urged the immediate and unimpeded provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza Strip, Food, water and fuel and urges to increase the support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, in recognition of the vital role played by the Agency, together with United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations, in the provision of humanitarian and emergency assistance, in particular in Gaza Strip.
The resolution also requested the Secretary-General to examine the current situation and submit a written report as soon as possible in no later than 60 days after the adoption of the resolution, including his proposals on ways and means to ensure the safety of the Palestinian civilian population and their protection and well-being under Israeli occupation, and recommendations concerning an international protection mechanism.
The International Commission to Support Palestinians’ Rights (ICSPR) believes that the issuance of this resolution at a time the occupation forces have practiced and killed Palestinian civilians, especially the participants of the return and siege breaking marches, and the continuation of the unjust Israeli siege on Gaza Strip for 11 years, shows the growing concern of the international community about Israel’s continuing violation of international law and international legitimacy, and stresses on the need for concerted and formal efforts by the international community to confront the ongoing Israeli violations and to implement this resolution. Therefor, ICSPR demands the following:
ICSPR believes that the Israeli and American positions rejecting the UN resolutions on the Palestinian issue must be a motive and incentive for the international community to complete its role and assume its responsibilities and to make the respect for international law at the forefront of international relations.
ICSPR believes that the resolution constitutes a reasonable and acceptable basis for activating the various international mechanisms in order to ensure an end to the long-term Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories and to provide international protection to civilians under military occupation, and ensure Israel end to its siege on Gaza Strip, as well as its declared policies towards peaceful demonstrators in Gaza Strip.
ICSPR calls for the need to develop the Arab, Islamic and Palestinian roles and contributions in the implementation of the resolution, by motivating States to fulfill their obligations towards it.
ICSPR calls on the Secretary-General of the United Nations to recognize the importance of acting in accordance with his responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations, international conventions on international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and on the basis of the resolution and propose an international mechanism to achieve meaningful international protection for Palestinian civilians.
Regards,
