UNSC Meeting on Palestine question

29 September, 2021

INDIA STATEMENT

By

Mr. Prakash Gupta

Joint Secretary (UN Political)

Thank you Madam President. I also thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland for his briefing on the implementation of resolution 2334.

2. I would like to begin by reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue. India strongly supports a negotiated two-state solution  leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel, taking into account  legitimate security concerns of all concerned parties. India has consistently called for direct peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine based on the internationally agreed framework to achieve the  ultimate goal of a two-state solution.

3. Resolution 2334 adopted by the Security Council calls for advancing this two State solution through negotiations as well as for reversing the negative trends on the ground. It also calls for preventing all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, and for both parties to refrain from provocative acts and unilateral measures.

4. Further, Resolution 2334 emphasizes the need for creating conditions for peace negotiations for advancing the two-State solution. In this regard, we appreciate the regional and international efforts, including under the auspices of the Middle East Quartet, towards de-escalation and for resuming these direct negotiations. We have noted the outreach efforts made between the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority as well as the announcements made by Israel to alleviate the socio-economic conditions in the West Bank. The planned NIS 500 million loan to the Palestinian Authority, additional building permits for construction of Palestinian homes in Area-C, increased work permits for Palestinians to travel to Israel for employment are all steps in the right direction. We hope these measures would provide an impetus for further strengthening of economic and administrative relationships between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

5. India has always placed great emphasis on the socio-economic development of the Palestinian people and the strengthening of their national institutions. Our development partnership with Palestine is geared towards these objectives. Access to stabilized and enhanced revenues by the Palestinian Authority is a necessary pre-condition for Palestinian socio-economic development and institution building. In this regard, we support a dialogue between Israel and Palestinian Authority to resolve outstanding issues related to transfer of tax revenues.

Madam President,

6. Regular and predictable entry of construction material will facilitate early reconstruction of Gaza. It is also important that the international donor community supports the reconstruction of Gaza through the Palestinian Authority.

7. The commencement of cash assistance transfer to vulnerable Palestinian families in Gaza through the UN is an important development as it would provide much-needed relief to these families. We also appreciate the work of the UN and its agencies in ensuring delivery of critical aid to Palestinians in Gaza. We call for regular and predictable transfer of aid and other essential items to Gaza to ease the humanitarian situation and facilitate early reconstruction, as well as for appropriate use of such aid.

Madam President,

8. The recent high-level interactions between Israel, Palestine and key regional States provide a window of opportunity for resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine. This Council and the international community, and the Middle East Quartet in particular, should use this opportunity to make renewed efforts to kick-start these negotiations, as they provide the best platform to resolve all final status issues and achieve a two-State solution. India stands ready to support such efforts.

Thank you.

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