UN Committee: Situation in Occupied Palestinian Lands Has Not Improved

The Palestinian Rights Committee heard bad news from the United Nations Observer of Palestine on Thursday, and the situation in the occupied lands has not improved and the situation remains grave. The Committee adopted its annual report and reviewed its activities, and the outlook for peace between Israelis and Palestinians is not good. There are some signs of hope as the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and the Russian Federation are planning a peace conference to address to issue.

Riyad Mansour is the Permanent Observer of Palestine for the United Nations, and he reported his findings before the Palestinian Rights Committee. He stated that despite recent diplomatic efforts, the situation remains "extremely critical," according to a press release issued by the United Nations on Thursday. Mr. Mansour reported that the number of roadblocks have increased, the Israelis have only released a token number of Palestinian prisoners, and that Israel's declaration of Gaza as a hostile entity was a breach of the Geneva Convention.

Mr. Mansour also commended the September 2007 declaration by the United Nations, the US, the EU, and the Russian Federation that calls for a conference to address the six issues that are the foundation of the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel. Those issues are Jerusalem, borders, refugees, settlements, water rights and security matters. The conference is tentatively planned for November 15, 2007 in Washington.

The Permanent Observer called on the UN and the other players to help both Israel and the Palestinians to reach an agreement in order to draft and sign a peace treaty between the two sides. He hopes that this process could lead to the establishment of a Palestinian State.

The Chairman of the Palestinian Rights Committee, Paul Badji, reported developments in the UN's Ad Hoc Liaison Committee that met in late September to discuss financial and technical support that the UN could provide to foster peace efforts. He also reported that the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met in early October to begin work on a joint document to be presented at the upcoming peace conference.

Mr. Badji also said that the Committee would condemn the killing of civilians by either side of the conflict, and also oppose Israel's expansion of settlements in the West Bank and it construction of a separation wall. He stressed that only through negotiation will there be any sort of resolution between the Palestinians and Israel.

Source: United Nations