New Delhi: Adnan Mohammed Jaber Abualhayjaa, the Palestinian Ambassador to India, Wednesday said US and several other nations have treated Israel like it is above the law and this has only encouraged the latter’s actions.
He also called on countries, which believe in the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict and recognise Israel as an independent state, to also acknowledge the State of Palestine.
Speaking at the Indian Council of World Affairs in Delhi, the envoy said, “Treating Israel as a state above the law has only encouraged it to continue to act as an outlaw state. The international community needs to immediately assume its responsibilities to put an end to this Israeli aggression against our land, our existence and our future.”
He added, “It is time for concrete measures to provide protection to the Palestinian people and to fulfill their rights to self-determination, freedom, and independence on the land occupied in 1967, and with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Abualhayjaa was present at an event organised to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which is observed on 29 November every year.
He also lauded India’s support to the cause of Palestine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month said India stands with Palestine’s efforts to form a state that peacefully co-exists with Israel.
The envoy later suggested an international peace conference and the establishment of a global multilateral mechanism to help Israel and Palestine in the negotiations and identify a lasting solution based on internationally-endorsed parameters.
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‘US violating international law’
Abualhayjaa rejected a recent statement by the US that it no longer considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal under international law. The envoy said the Trump administration was “violating international law, proving it is unqualified to be an honest broker”.
He added that the US’ actions were in complete contravention of the UN Security Council resolutions, especially the UNSC Resolution 2334 (2016), which rejects Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. The US had abstained from voting for the resolution.
“Unlawful statements and decisions by the US only embolden the Israeli government in perpetuating its occupation and in accelerating its settlement activities and in further committing crimes as determined by the Rome Statute,” he added.
Abualhayjaa urged world leaders not to recognise the “illegal situation” created by Israel —by occupying parts of Palestine, including East Jerusalem. “All states must distinguish between the territory of the occupying power and the occupied power and the occupied territory and ensure accountability.”
America’s stance has not just upset Palestine but its ally Saudi Arabia too. The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to India, Saud Mohammed Al-Sati, had also rejected the US’ 2017 decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Sati had reiterated Saudi Arabia’s strong objections to statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September last year, saying he will annex Palestinian settlements in the West Bank.
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