UN Economic and Social Council adopts draft resolutions regarding Palestinians.

Jerusalem24 – During a meeting in New York, the United Nations Economic and Social Council adopted the draft resolution “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan”. By the terms of the resolution, the council called for accountability on attacks against Palestinians and urged the international territories. It also demanded that Israel comply with the 1994 protocol on Economic Relations between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The council also called upon Israel to restore and replace civilian properties, vital infrastructure, agricultural lands and government institutions that have been damaged or destroyed due to Israeli military operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. There were also calls for the full reopening of the Gaza border crossings, in line with the Security Council resolution 1860, which called for the “unimpeded provision through Gaza of food, fuel and medical treatment”. The Council had also stressed the need to preserve the territorial contiguity, unity and integrity of the Territory, including East Jerusalem. In addition to guaranteeing the freedom of movement of persons and goods there, as well as to and from the outside world.

The Council also adopted the resolution “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women” by a recorded vote of 43 in favor to 3 against, with 8 abstentions. Based on that the Council called upon Israel, as an occupying power, to immediately cease all measures contrary to international law, as well as discriminatory legislation, policies and actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people. It also called for urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the Territories as well as East Jerusalem in accordance with the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law and as called for by the Security Council in its resolution 904.

While expressing different points of view, an observer for the State of Palestine said that the draft resolution reasserts the economic and social rights of the Palestinian people in the face of persistent violations that undermine their ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and their fundamental rights. Meanwhile, the Syrian representative, referring to the draft resolution, strongly rejected plans, as reported in the Israeli media that the Israeli government intends to expand settlements in the Syrian Golan. He also said that Israel is imposing its curriculum in schools in the Syrian Golan in an attempt to separate the youth from Syria.