Praise be to God                                                                   

May peace and blessings be upon

the Prophet, His Kith and Kin

 Your Excellency Mr. Abdou Salam Diallo,

Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As the world commemorates the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1977, I should like to reiterate the Kingdom of Morocco’s constant and full support for the legitimate, historical and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to establish an independent state, Palestine, on their land, with East Jerusalem as its capital – a state that lives side by side with Israel, in peace and security, in accordance with UN resolutions and international legitimacy.

 I should like to take this opportunity to tell all members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which is affiliated with the UN General Assembly, how much I appreciate their untiring efforts to serve this cause which is of critical importance for international security and stability.

 This year; the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is taking place in a particularly sensitive environment which is the result of the changes affecting the entire Middle-East region. This makes it incumbent upon us to protect the Palestinian cause against all kinds of interference and schemes.

 The Israeli government’s persistent, systematic violations of international legitimacy resolutions, as reflected by its continuing occupation of Arab territories and its policies based on settlements, Judaization and expropriation of land and property regrettably thwart all international efforts to put an end to the occupation and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. In blatant violation of international legitimacy, Israel is pursuing excavation works under the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its compound and is relentlessly seeking to alter the cultural, religious and demographic characteristics of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

 In my capacity as President of the Al-Quds Committee, I have repeatedly drawn the attention of the international community to the risks posed by Israel’s continuing policies to change the legal, demographic and religious situation in al-Quds Al-Sharif. Furthermore, I have, time and again, urged the influential international powers to seek to implement the resolutions of international legitimacy so that the city may remain, as it always has been, a symbol of coexistence and peace between the revealed religions.

 In this respect, the Kingdom of Morocco once again expresses its deep concern about the air strikes on the Gaza Strip and strongly condemns these attacks which killed many innocent victims. Morocco warns against the negative repercussions of any escalation on security and stability in the region. It calls on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in terms of preserving the fragile truce brokered in the last few days, and to stand up against any negative developments which could deepen the distrust between the parties involved in the peace process.

 In the same context, I should like to insist once again on the importance of and need for achieving Palestinian reconciliation as it would strengthen the Palestinian negotiating position in the peace process. Bringing just, lasting and comprehensive peace to the Middle East hinges upon the establishment of an independent, fully viable Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 For peace and security to prevail in the Middle East, the aggressive practices against the defenceless Palestinian people must be abandoned. Resorting to the logic of force, imposing the fait accompli policy and setting impossible conditions do not contribute in any way to achieving peace and security. Hence, I call on the International Quartet to compel Israel to return to the negotiating table immediately, to comply with UN resolutions and with the agreements signed by the parties concerned and to work earnestly to reach a just and lasting solution to this conflict – a settlement based on a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine would live side by side in peace and security. This is a realistic solution to the long drawn-out conflict.

 Today, the United Nations Organization is called upon to shoulder its responsibility and to accept Palestine as a non-member state. I wish to take this opportunity to renew my full support for the Palestinian National Authority, under the leadership of my revered brother His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, on the occasion of the auspicious step he is taking.

 The Kingdom of Morocco calls for the mobilization of international support to back the measures taken by the Palestinian National Authority in order to obtain non-member state status. My country is of the view that negotiation is the best way to reclaim the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people and set up an independent Palestinian state.

 To conclude, I urge you to carry on with your efforts to support the just cause of our Palestinian brothers. May Almighty God grant you success in your lofty mission and in your endeavours to uphold the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.