Pakistan calls for action against Israel’s settlement policy, repression of Palestinians
“While we continue to watch from the sidelines, increasing incidents of settler and ‘price tag’ attacks are making the occupied territories truly unlivable,” Ambassador Raza Bashir Tarar - Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the UN - told the General Assembly’s fourth committee, which deals with special political decolonization matters.
Speaking in a debate on the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, he also called for an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza, now in its sixth year.
“Ending the culture of impunity is important for building an environment of trust and confidence,” the Pakistani diplomat said. In his remarks, he also reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unrelenting support” for the Palestinian people in their just struggle for peace and right to self- determination.
Ambassador Tarar said the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian Territory was abysmal.
He said that Israel, the occupying power, persisted with its oppressive policies, affecting the most vulnerable groups, among them, children, who suffered severe effects.
The committee report stated that 500 to 700 Palestinian children were detained by the occupation forces each year and subjected to treatment that was not only in violation of all international human rights laws and practices, but was also unethical and immoral.
He further said that Israel’s illegal settlement policy and other actions were shrinking the window for a two-state solution.
The report, he added, rightly noted that Israel’s occupation seemed cost free, as the international community provided for basic needs of the victims.
“The strategy of the occupation forces seemed clear: force the Palestinian people off their own land or marginalize them to maintain a system of permanent oppression. How any political process could be expected to resume in such circumstances,” he asked, pointing out that any political settlement required a good faith commitment from both sides.
“In its absence, the situation could only deteriorate,” he added.
Pakistan, Tarar said, was a staunch supporter of the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital, and of the Palestinian Authority’s initiative to be accorded observer state status in the United Nations.
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Israel is not only friend of US & UK it's existence is endorsed by more than few Muslim countries including but not limited too, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, & ten more. Israel is a source of business deals, mining rights, oil trade and security training contracts with effected countries by the West and it's a source of motivations for Muslim countries to buy arms, sign major financial deals, security and surveillance equipment and such programs, also western political assistance from advisory to deep involvement. Dilemma is the Muslim countries can't remove this it's target of hate without first solving the local issues on the table with serious and honest planning. If we can't solve our own problems our self, then even if Israel don't exist our life as it is would still be in the gutters of humanity. So there is no point with our current fight against Israel. Just hatred against someone never solved anyone life problem. If Israel is not there, then there will be others who will do same or worst to local Palestinians or world Muslims because of our own characteristics. We must stop blaming all our ills on to someone we hate. We must understand why and how our local politicians and clergy say what they say, who is getting the benefit of violence, extremism, poverty, poor local economy, lack of education, general distrust & backwardness,
@Khan: "Its a well known issue and even countries like United Kingdom are keeping a distance from Israel due to their wrong policies and use of excessive force." Your information is wrong. USA AND UK are the fastest allies of Israel.
@Afridi: India never keeps jumping in the affairs of others. Pakistan has become a laughing stock in world community. As they say in Urdu "TUM KAON? MAI KHAMKHAN". Your own tail is on fire and you keep jumping to dowse the fire of others, though no one cares for your opinion or advice.So every one keeps telling you 'Mind your business please'
Israel is taking every step against the Palestinians on behalf of and by the support of USA and US' leadership is fully supporting Israel financially,militarily and diplomatically even in United Nation's Security Council and General Assembly more effectively by using its "Veto" right regarding Israel.If you want to take action or request before any one to take action against Israel then coerce USA to stop all kinds of supports and favors of Israel only.....Then you can do so any thing......
@G. Din: And how would you know that I consider one less mature based on his/her age? Guess some one was jumping the gun
I like to know from someone who is tracking history of all Pak introduced Bills in UN. I have this strong feeling that no Arab nation pass any bills in UN against any Israeli/Palestanian issues but instead dump it on Pakistan to face the economic & retaliatory punishment by the world as the aftermath of such bills. Palestinian or any Arab country don't like us anymore than India who never asks UN any bills of this sort. We have paid heavy price for decades_ internally and externally for letting our self sold for a pennies, bucks, discount gas, free weapons, Swiss bank acct transfers, free loans, free wheat and molasses, etc etc. Enough is enough! It's time we learn to live with dignity in poverty. What we got in return is no more than what body-sellers get.
It is really amazing to see Pakistan shedding crocodile tears for the Palestinians when one recollects the fact that the Pakistanis state sent Zia ul Haq to fight the Palestinians in 1973. Zia and his Pakistani troops who were supporting Jordanians killed several hundred Palestinians. After that incident, Yasser Arafat totally turned against Pakistan.
Then there are the other anti-human practices by Pakistan- Bangladesh genocide, oppression of the Baloch, oppression of minorities...the list is long.
@Khan: to GT "Why would you call him Son? And how do you know that Afridi is younger than you? " Your comments do tell a lot about your maturity. A younger person is universally recognized as less mature. Age is superficial!
I have not been to Israel so do not know how Palestinians are treated there, but having lived in the Gulf countries for many years I have seen Palestinians are discriminated and treated like dirt there. They are always watched. All this support for Palestine cause is only their propaganda for the outside world. They practice much differently than what they preach.
@Zalim singh:
Your moniker suits you well ... Its hilarious to say the least that you think they're living in much better conditions .. Its a well known issue and even countries like United Kingdom are keeping a distance from Israel due to their wrong policies and use of excessive force. Both of them need to solve this issue peacefully and agree on whatever they already have for the welfare of their own people (same goes for everywhere else btw). Ambassador Raza Bashir Tarar must not poke his nose in the affairs of others especially when we need friends on international forums not enemies.
@GT:
Why would you call him Son? And how do you know that Afridi is younger than you?
@Afridi: Funny how you call muslims, christians and sikhs of India oppressed while they are fast progressing and doing far better than their counterparts in Pakistan. Do you want coffee to smell?
@Afridi: For person who is asking people pointing out facts to smell a coffee, it will do good if you can stop being high on false pride and distorted history. If Pakistan ever cared for Kashmir, it would have stopped terrorism policy which is harming Kashmir cause and Kashmiris more.
Haha....who listens to you Pakistan? Only leverage you have is on Taliban, and or nobody and on nothing else.
..........a wise man knows when to stay quiet and for Pakistan this is such a time.
@Afridi Again son no one is listening to you. Pakistan should use international forums to raise other issues. Come to your senses, Pakistan hardly has any relevance if you take out the nukes. Know your place in the world.
It seems to be a case of "POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK"
@Zalim singh: You forgot to mention the atrocities against Muslims, Christians and the oppressed Khalistani Sikhs in occupied India
What about the atrocities against Hindus and Christians in Pakistan? I think Palestinians are much better off in Israel than any other Muslim nations. They should be happy living in Israel.
@..... : To the person above who seems to care so much for Balochis and Bengalis: what about the Kashmiris in India? Some introspection is good once in a while - you loose your credibility when you yourself keep double standards. Wake up and smell the coffee!
Really?