The State of Qatar reiterated its support for all sincere efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian issue and achieving peace in the Middle East.
It also affirmed its support for the annual resolutions of the General Assembly on the question of Palestine and the Middle East based on the principles of international law, the purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international norms and the need to respect the rights of all and to maintain international peace and security.
This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at the 74rd session of the United Nations General Assembly on the "Question of Palestine" item.
HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed stated that Israel's occupation of Arab lands, settlement activity in the occupied territory, measures aimed at changing the character of Jerusalem, its legal status and demographic composition, the siege of the Gaza Strip, the use of excessive violence against civilians, arbitrary arrest, obstruction of freedom of movement, demolition of Palestinian homes, exploitation of their natural resources and other violations are all in flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.
She expressed concern at the deterioration of the economic situation in the Occupied Palestinian territory, especially in the Gaza Strip, which has been under siege for 12 years, causing great human suffering. HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed explained that economic stability is a key factor to ensure security and peace.
The State of Qatar continues to provide political and humanitarian support to the Palestinian brothers, she said, pointing out that Qatar's support over the past eight years has reached $1 billion through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in cooperation with the Gaza Reconstruction Committee , in addition to contributions from civil society organizations.
In this context, HE the Ambassador pointed out to the instructions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to provide humanitarian and developmental support to the brotherly Palestinian people to secure the urgent and long-term needs in areas including education, electricity supply, infrastructure enhancement, housing maintenance and construction, and job finance.
HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed drew attention to the contributions made by the State of Qatar to 'UNRWA', the latest of which was a multi-year pledge of $16 million in addition to the support of the Agency's activities and programs of in the amount of $50 million. HE the ambassador affirmed in this regard the critical importance of the Agency's indispensable role in meeting the basic needs of millions of Palestine refugees and ensuring stability.
She stressed that there is no alternative to an agreed peaceful settlement to resolve the Palestinian issue through negotiations between the two parties, adding that this solution is based on agreed terms of reference, resolutions of international legitimacy, the principle of land for peace, the road map, the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of a viable independent State of Palestine on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed called also for an end to the Israeli occupation of the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan, stressing the need to ensure the rights of the Palestinian people and a just solution to the refugee problem.
At the end of her statement, HE the Ambassador reiterated the State of Qatar's commitment to provide all kinds of political and developmental support to the Palestinian brothers, stressing Qatar's firm position in solidarity with the Palestinian people to achieve their just and legitimate rights.
HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani expressed concern at the deterioration of the economic situation in the Occupied Palestinian territory, especially in the Gaza Strip, which has been under siege for 12 years
