According to the United Nations website, this year, the Special Meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People was held on 29 November 2019, at the UN Headquarters in New York.
In attendance were; the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as the Chef de Cabinet of the UN Secretary-General.
Representatives of inter-governmental organizations and civil society made statements on the question of Palestine.
The Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported that on this occasion, the spokesperson for South Africa expressed its concern with regards to the actions of the Government of Israel. It said that Israel is seeking to foreclose the final status issues, thereby disregarding UN Security Council resolutions on the Middle East Peace Process.
An official statement by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation stated;
“The Government and the people of South Africa join the international community in reiterating our unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine. On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the UN, South Africa urges the global community to act purposively towards a just and peaceful end of the occupation as guided by international law,”
The statement added that a just ending of the Israeli occupation;
“must address disputes regarding the borders for a viable two-state solution, the return of all Palestinian refugees, the status of East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian State and halting all illegal settlements.”
“South Africa calls on all key stakeholders to ensure that all obligations under international law are met in order for a peaceful and just ending of the occupation of Palestine.”
Photo credit: PNN
Edited for IMEMC: Ali Salam
