Qatar has reaffirmed the central importance of the Palestinian cause, and that it is an issue that affects security and stability on a large scale. It also reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause is an issue of inalienable rights and an international responsibility to ensure these rights and achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement.
This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani before the UN Security Council, which held a virtual meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue.
HE Sheikha Alya expressed Qatar’s conviction that a just, lasting and comprehensive peace and settlement of the Palestinian issue in all its aspects must be achieved in accordance with international law, the Charter and the United Nations resolutions.
She stressed that there is no alternative to a consensual peace settlement, through serious negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, based on the agreed references, resolutions of international legitimacy, the principle of land for peace and the Arab peace initiative, in addition to the realisation of the two-state solution that entails the establishment of an independent and viable state of Palestine on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, which lives side by side with Israel in peace and security.
Ambassador Sheikha Alya said that this requires an end to the occupation of Arab lands, settlements and attempts to annex lands illegally and unlawfully, guaranteeing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and a just solution to the refugee issue.
It also requires stopping measures that affect the character, legal status and demographic composition of Jerusalem, the suffocating blockade on the Gaza Strip and all other practices by the occupying power that violate international law and United Nations resolutions.
She stressed that any arrangements that are not based on these references do not achieve the desired peace.
Based on the policy of Qatar in alleviating humanitarian crises and economic difficulties and in the context of its keenness to create an appropriate environment for reaching peace, Qatar has continued, in co-ordination with international partners, to provide humanitarian and development support to the Palestinian brothers including in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations referred to the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to provide financial assistance of $150mn, including support to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus and its effects in Gaza Strip.
This support comes to complement the humanitarian and developmental support for Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza Strip, in addition to raising the level of Qatar’s contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Ambassador Sheikha Alya also emphasised that the Middle East region urgently needs reducing tensions and resolving crises through dialogue in accordance with the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes. She reiterated Qatar’s commitment to dialogue and settlement of disputes by peaceful means in dealing with the Gulf crisis that was imposed on the country three years ago without justification, involving an unjust blockade and illegal unilateral measures, further complicating the situation in the region and affecting its stability and security.
HE Sheikha Alya underlined His Highness the Amir’s call since the beginning of the crisis, to resolve it through dialogue based on good neighbourliness, mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence and unity of States and non-interference in their internal affairs, affirming His Highness the Amir’s commitment to mediation of brotherly and friendly countries, especially the endeavours of the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
She said that Qatar has adhered to its principle based on respect for international law, and has resorted to international legal frameworks, foremost of which is the International Court of Justice to address the measures that violate the United Nations Charter, international law, international conventions and covenants and human rights.
