"And we reiterate the hope that Palestine`s application to full membership in the United Nations will be favorably considered. We hold that Palestine`s full membership is consistent with the shared vision of a two-State solution," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said at the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly - Agenda Item 37: Question of Palestine, in New York, last Thursday.
Marty stated that there is no reason why the international community cannot endorse the request to accord Observer State status to Palestine - a entity that some 24 years ago the Assembly, through its resolution 43/177, acknowledged as a State.
"The time has come for the international community to set things right. No longer can the world turn a blind eye to the long sufferings of the Palestinian people: the denial of their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms; the obstruction of their rights to self determination and to independence," the minister noted.
He further said that no longer can the world deny the fact that, despite the enormous barriers erected by the Occupying Power, Palestinians have diligently and with great resolve built the capacity to function as a State.
"We believe that an independent State of Palestine with equal rights and, indeed, equal responsibilities to those of other States, will contribute to the attainment of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East," he added.
He warned that the recent cycle of indiscriminate violence and disproportionate use of force in Gaza, Palestine, serves as a serious reminder of the need for an earnest resumption and acceleration of the peace process.
"Of the need, therefore, to create conditions conducive to that process: Ending illegal settlement activities; Lifting the blockade of Gaza; and thus putting to an end the inhumane policy of collective punishment. The need, too, for Palestine to enhance their inter-Palestinian dialogue at this very historic moment," he added.
He believed that by according Observer State status to the State of Palestine, the world is signaling the primacy of diplomacy and rejection of violence.
"We are making a strong statement on the need for mutual respect among nations. We are placing faith in the principle of universality of membership of the United Nations," he stated.
"And we are beginning to redress a festering historic injustice. And affirm that all of humankind, including the long-suffering people of Palestine, is entitled to human rights and fundamental freedoms," Marty noted.
The UN General Assembly finally voted overwhelmingly to recognize Palestine as a non-member observer state - a move strongly opposed by Israel and the US.
The assembly voted 138-9 in favor, with 41 nations abstaining. (*)
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Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
