Israel’s violations must not be unchallenged: Palestinian envoy

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 29

On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Palestine’s envoy to India sought a “deserved place as a sovereign and equal member among the international community” for his country.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), Ambassador Adnan Abu Alhaija said, “We seek the resolution of Palestinian issue in accordance with the vision of peace with two states existing side by side in peace and security within recognised and secure borders, on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.”

He accused Israel of international violations not as an exception but as a rule, and asked the International community to challenge these violations.

“Faced with Israel’s blatant contempt of the law, UN resolutions and the long standing global consensus on the parameters of a just solution based on two-states on the 1967 lines, decisive action is urgently needed,” said the ambassador.

He thanked India for its support to the Palestinian cause.

In his message last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hoped for early resumption of dialogue between Palestine and Israel.

“We hope for early realisation of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel,” said PM Modi.

An official source suggested that Modi, who in a break from India’s foreign policy past visited Israel on a stand alone basis, would visit Palestine when he travels to Jordan or Egypt in the months to come.

According to the source, by doing so India seeks to de-hyphenate Palestine from Israel and treat it as an independent Arab nation.

On the occasion, Saudi envoy to India Saud Al-Sati called the recent reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas as a “significant breakthrough” and advocated the right to self-determination and return to home for Palestinians.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has reiterated once again the need for a two-state solution to one of the longest unresolved conflicts.

“I remain convinced that the two-state solution recognised by that resolution is the only premise for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” said the secretary-general’s message.