Statement by H.E. Ambassador Eshagh Al habib

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

 under the agenda item 16 entitled

"The Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question"

before the Security Council of the United Nations

(27 January 2010, New York)

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. President,        

I would like to warmly congratulate you on your presidency of the Security Council in this month. I also take this opportunity to extend my delegation’s sincere congratulations to the new members of the council: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria and wish them all success in upholding their responsibilities in fulfilling their duties during the next two years. Likewise my warm appreciation goes to the outgoing members of the Council: Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia, Libya and Viet Nam.

     One year ago, Gaza faced an all-out attack, the so-called Operation Cast Lead. During that barbaric operation the Israeli regime, killed and maimed thousands of besieged innocent Palestinians, including women and children and willfully and systematically targeted civilian infrastructures and facilities; even the United Nations was not spared from the Israeli atrocities as the UNRWA compound was deliberately shelled by Israeli army. The Israeli army did not hesitate to use internationally prohibited and restricted weapons such as white phosphorous, flechettes and heavy metal weapons against civilian targets. There is no doubt that the Israeli acts in Gaza amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity.   

Almost one year has  passed since then but despite all efforts on the part of the United Nations, there is still no prospect of justice to the victims. And the Israeli regime continues to defy the will of the international community and persists the Palestinian blockade causing unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

These violations of international norms and principles is not limited to Gaza only. The persistent assault  against the Islamic and Christian holy places in Jerusalem, the continued construction of the separation wall and excavation work in and around the Holy Mosque, the revocation of Palestinian residency rights in the City, the forced eviction of Palestinian families from the City and the imposition of severe restrictions on movement are but some of the illegal acts carried out by Israeli regime in the West Bank. Despite strong international condemnation, illegal settlements are expanded much faster than the past and more and more Palestinian houses are demolished. The illegal decision by Israeli regime in building new housing units is a move that is undoubtedly geared at altering the demographic composition and architectural, cultural and religious character of Palestinian territories particularly in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas.

Mr. President

On 5 November, 2009, the General Assembly adopted  resolution 64/10 on the “Follow up to the report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on Gaza Conflict”. This resolution constitutes an important step forward in remedying the violations of the Israeli regime in Gaza, so vividly authenticated in the Goldstone report. We expect necessary actions to be taken by relevant bodies of the United Nations, including the Security Council in order to put an end to the culture of impunity for the Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity. If criminals were brought to justice, the room for criminal acts by those who possess the motives and madness to commit them would be restricted. Impunity for perpetrators of  crimes of grave nature is in itself a cause and incentive for further atrocities.

Unfortunately, it seems that for certain members of this Council the lives of the Palestinian  and their long time suffering under occupation and suppression do not count, as the massacre of hundreds of Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, is not worthy of the least consideration, let alone a meaningful firm action, at this august body. This is true with regard to illegal detention of more than 11,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children. Certain members of the council are used to giving long speeches on human rights, and yet their true stance was revealed on the result of the voting in the General Assembly on resolution 64/10 on the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel in Gaza. This is a clear example of double standards which is detrimental to the cause of justice and human rights.

We hope that in the next few months when United Nations bodies endeavor to follow up on the Goldstone report on atrocities committed by Israel regime in Gaza, we see that they would revisit their unwavering and unconditional support for the Israeli regime, in total disrespect to the norms and principles of international human rights  and international humanitarian law.

Mr. President,

The Israeli regime has persisted on its aggressive and expansionist policies towards Lebanon by constantly violating its land, sea and air space and refusing to withdraw from Lebanese occupied land in the Sheba’a, the Kfar Shouba Hills and the northern part of El-Ghajar village. It also continues its occupation of the occupied Syrian Golan. This regime should immediately and fully withdraw from these occupied territories in compliance with the most basic principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Mr. President,

The question of Palestine is the most urgent issue the International community continues to face and which needs a swift and comprehensive attention. In the past sixty years, since the occupation of Palestine, the Israeli regime has benefited from all material means of power including financial aids, weapons and technology, as well as political and diplomatic support of the West and the giant empire of news media and networks. Yet despite these staggering supports, the West has failed not only to solve the problem of the Israeli regime's illegitimacy, but the complex issue of Palestine has grown more complicated with time. In the past, there have been many solutions on the table, but none of them were successful because firstly they were based on denying, in one way or another, the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and secondly because of the intransigence of the Israeli regime in abiding to its commitments and the international norms and regulations.

Undoubtedly, attaining a peaceful and just settlement of the question of Palestine is imperative for the realization of a comprehensive and lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond. Occupation and aggression, state terrorism, expulsion and intimidation setting up new settlements and construction of separation wall and attempt to change the demographic and cultural identity of the occupied lands would not bring peace to the Middle East. These are undoubtedly the most serious and gross violations of the UN resolutions especially the Security Council resolutions, and must therefore be dealt with urgently and appropriately by the Council and other UN bodies in a resolute and decisive manner. 

In our view a lasting peace in Palestine and the region will be possible through justice, end to discrimination, end to occupation of Palestine and other occupied territories. Today, which coincides with the first anniversary of the tragic events in Gaza, we need to act collectively to demonstrate our unqualified support to the cause of the Palestine and to rally to the assistance of those who have been deprived of their rights. The lifting of the blockade and starting the reconstruction of Gaza and putting an end to the illegal acts in the West Bank are of the most urgent issues of Palestine. We have a common duty and responsibility in offering a multi-faceted support to the Palestinians whether in Gaza or in the West Bank. Let’s hope that  oppression and occupation will end and justice and freedom will prevail in the Palestinian occupied territories.

Thank you Mr. President.