President Mahmoud Abbas said today that the question of Palestine remains the greatest test for the United Nations and its credibility.
Speaking on the occasion of 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, President Abbas stressed that the Palestinian people, despite the hardships caused by the Israeli occupation and its ally, the United States, can neither be broken nor erased.
“The question of Palestine remains the greatest test for this international order and its credibility. We do not ask for more, nor will we accept less, than what have been recognized as legitimate rights for all peoples,” he said in a pre-recorded speech.
“Our people can neither be broken nor erased despite the injustice befalling them. They will achieve their rightful and natural place among nations, living in freedom, dignity and security, in their sovereign and independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the 1967 borders.”
Following is the full text of President Mahmoud Abbas’ statement on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations:
“The State of Palestine celebrates today, together with the rest of the world, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. We respect this noble organization and its foundational principles. There is no other international organization that carries the hope of a brighter reality like the UN, given its unique universal character and the mandate and powers granted to it to fulfill the purposes enshrined in its Charter, at their core the right to self-determination of peoples.
“At a time where there are increasing attacks from Israel, the occupying Power, and the US administration against this international organization and its resolutions, we remain even more committed to preserving this organization, which constitutes a citadel of international law and multilateralism in the world.
“The Palestinian people have placed their hope in the United Nations, the historical witness of their Nakba, to provide support to their legitimate struggle for freedom and independence. And we continue to await the UN to fulfill its responsibility to achieve a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine in accordance with its resolutions.
“It is paradoxical that the time that this organization was elaborating its Charter, and the international community was adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions, the Palestinian people were being deprived of the very rights enshrined in these instruments.
“For over seven decades, we have witnessed peoples achieving freedom, and States becoming independent and becoming members of the United Nations, one after the other, while Palestine remained on item on the UN agenda. This was not due to our people failing to achieve their freedom and independence, as our people have remained committed to their right to self-determination and have been steadfast in their struggle against occupation and colonialism, never deviating from the goals of liberation and independence despite successive tragedies and disappointments.
“Our nation is deeply rooted in this land, bearer of a long-lasting civilization that gives us pride among nations. Our people built countries and lifted communities in every corner of the globe. However, the historical injustice that befell them has never ceased, becoming more pronounced every day, and yet our people remain steadfast in their land and in exile.
“The Palestinian people have pursued their legitimate struggle on every front. On the international level, it was able to take its natural place among nations. The Palestine Liberation Organization became an observer of the UN General Assembly in 1974 and in 2012 we became an observer State and we will not relent till we achieve our right to full membership in the United Nations. Last year, we were successful in taking a leading role within this international order and in efforts to achieve equality between peoples through our chairmanship of the G77 and China.
“We took upon ourselves to represent faithfully and ably two thirds of the world population. The State of Palestine also joined numerous treaties and Conventions and we are committed to fully to human rights and the rule of law and to ensure a more effective and influential role for women and youth.
“Today, we convey our appreciation to all those who believe in the just nature and centrality of our cause, despite the increasing number of crises and conflicts in the world, and to all those who provide us with political support, in line with the UN Charter, as well as those who provide humanitarian and development support to our people and our institutions and to UNRWA until a just solution is achieved to the question of Palestine refugees in accordance with General Assembly resolution 194 (III).
“The declaration we are adopting today reflects the belief of the State of Palestine that upholding international law is the guarantee for achieving justice, that the UN Charter remains the basis for a more just, peaceful and prosperous world and that international law is imprescriptible and its respect more pressing.
“The declaration calls on all States to uphold the Charter, international law and Security Council resolutions and to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of a State. Will Israel abide by these rules it has consistently violated for seven decades? Isn’t it time to put an end to its violations of the law and to hold it accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian and Arab peoples, instead of rewarding it?
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
“The question of Palestine remains the greatest test for this international order and its credibility. We do not ask for more, nor will we accept less, than what have been recognized as legitimate rights for all peoples.
“Our people can neither be broken nor erased despite the injustice befalling them. They will achieve their rightful and natural place among nations, living in freedom, dignity and security, in their sovereign and independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the 1967 borders.
“May the United Nations be each year closer to abiding by its Charter and principles and to realizing its purposes. Peace be upon you.”
