NEW YORK – At the UN General Assembly General Debate on the Question of Palestine and the Situation in the Middle East, the UAE called on the international community to fulfill its obligations in accordance with international law and the UN Charter to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The statement was delivered by Mr. Saud Al Shamsi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, and highlighted the letter sent by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to the Chairman of the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.
He reaffirmed the UAE’s continuous support for the international efforts that aim to enable the Palestinian people to fulfill their legitimate aspirations to self-determination. He underscored the rights of the Palestinian people in establishing their independent state based on the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its Capital, in accordance with International agreements, and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Mr. Al Shamsi expressed concern over the deterioration of the humanitarian and economic situation in the Palestinian territories, calling the international community to increase humanitarian and development assistance. He further highlighted the significance of enabling the Palestinian people to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Achieving peace and stability in the region requires finding political solutions for prolonged crises, and intensifying efforts to combat extremism and terrorism all over the world.” said Mr. Al Shamsi, warning that extremist and terrorist groups – with the support of certain regional parties – exploit protracted crises to further spread violence, chaos and destruction in the region.
In 2017 and 2018, the UAE has contributed approximately $173 million USD to the Palestinian people, and has contributed over $65 million USD to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).