General Assembly
Statement by Meirav Eilon Shahar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem
12 November 2009
Mr. Chairman,
Earlier this week in Washington, DC, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated once again Israel’s desire to restart peace negotiations. “I would go anywhere, [at] anytime to advance peace,” said the Prime Minister. He called upon Mahmoud Abbas to begin talks immediate, to seize the moment, and reach an historic agreement.
In June of this year, the Prime Minister outlined his vision for a genuine peace, a defensible peace, a permanent peace. A peace in which two states, one Jewish, one Palestinian, will live side by side, in peace and security.
Mr. Chairman,
Real progress towards self-determination of the Palestinian people does not happen as a result of one-sided, political resolutions like this one and so many others that are repeatedly adopted by certain members of this body. Progress takes place on the ground through bilateral negotiations. It is why Israel continues to call on the Palestinian leadership to return to negotiations immediately and without preconditions. Let us talk peace. Let us talk an end to the conflict.
Mr. Chairman,
Returning to the resolution before us –– and not withstanding my initial comments –– let us look at this resolution in an honest manner. Unfortunately, it reflects a pattern of annual resolutions that fail to address all sides in an equitable manner. Such resolutions do not serve the cause of peace.
Furthermore, today’s draft resolution fails to place any responsibility on the Palestinians to respect the safety and security of the State of Israel. It ignores the fact that under the Road Map, important incremental steps are laid out in order to achieve peace.
Again, I wish to take this opportunity to call for the resumption of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Such negotiations, Mr. Chairman, can bear the fruit of peace. The tired and stale resolutions before us do nothing. For these reasons, my delegation has called for a vote on this resolution and we will vote against it.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
