UNSC meeting on Palestine Question

(30 November 2021; 1000 hrs; EST/ 08:30pm IST)

INDIA STATEMENT

By

Ambassador R. Ravindra

Deputy Permanent Representative

Thank you Mr President. I thank UN Special Coordinator Mr. Tor Wennesland for his briefing. I also thank Ms. Comfort Ero, for her statement.

2. India’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict is consistent and well known. We hope for an early resumption of direct negotiations on the peace process between Israel and Palestine.

3. Recent developments on the ground, however, could pose challenges for the resumption of the peace process. The continued acts of violence against civilians in both Israel and Palestine as well as acts of provocation, incitement and destruction are deeply concerning. We condemn all such acts. Unilateral actions that unduly alter the status-quo on the ground and undercut the viability of the two-state solution must be avoided in the interest of peace and stability. I also underscore the need to respect and maintain the historic status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem.

4. We welcome the co-operation between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the regional countries to improve the socio-economic conditions in West Bank and Gaza, including coordination through the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC). We appreciate the work of the donor countries and the development partners in the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee.

5. India welcomes the measures taken by Israel for creating greater opportunities for the socio-economic development of the Palestine. On our part, as a committed development partner of Palestine, India continues to provide developmental and humanitarian assistance both bilaterally through the Palestinian Authority and through contributions to the UN. Even during the pandemic, work on developmental projects in Palestine like the India-Palestine technopark, the Women Empowerment Centre and construction of schools have continued to progress. On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Prime Minister of India extended his best wishes to the people of Palestine in their endeavour for statehood, peace and prosperity. In his message, he reaffirmed our relationship with the Palestinian people, which is based on deep-rooted historical and people-to-people ties.

6. We also appreciate the work of the UN and its agencies in ensuring the delivery of critical aid to the Palestinians. We call for regular and predictable transfer of aid, as well as for appropriate use of such aid. India remains supportive of UNRWA’s role in human development and delivery of humanitarian services. India has fully disbursed its pledged contribution for 2021. India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Shri. V. Muraleedharan participated in the recent UNRWA Ministerial conference in Brussels and renewed India’s commitment to continue to contribute USD 5 million to the Agency in 2022 also.

Mr. President,

7. I reiterate the urgent need for resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine which will provide a sustainable platform to resolve all final status issues towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side, at peace with Israel. The international community, the Middle East Quartet in particular, has an important role to play in reviving these negotiations.

8. In this regard, I welcome the recent meeting of the Quartet’s Special Envoys, which is timely. We urge the Quartet and the international community to engage with the Israeli and the Palestinian leadership to kick-start the negotiations. India stands ready to support all efforts aimed at the resumption of direct negotiations..

I thank you.

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