Print
    30 November 2012| last updated at 08:39PM

    'UN approval of Palestine as observer state is historic'




    HISTORIC DAY FOR PALESTINIANS, SAYS ENVOY KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Palestinian envoy Abdelaziz Aboughosh on Friday described the United Nations' (UN) approval of Palestine as a non-member observer state, a historic day.

    "It is the beginning of the realisation of the national rights of the Palestinians," he said in a statement to Bernama.

    The ambassador to Malaysia pointed out that more than 65 years had passed, since the Partition Plan but unfortunately, the Palestinian State was neither recognised nor established. The Partition Plan provided for the establishment of an Arab State and a Jewish State.

    Thanking the international community, Aboughosh also hoped they would continue to support Palestine to end the Israeli occupation and establish the Independent Palestinian State on the occupied territory since 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

    Meanwhile, Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee member Dr Hanan Ashrawi thanked the 138 countries which voted in support of Palestine's enhancement status at the UN.

    “I am truly honoured to address those states that decided to take a stand in support of peace, justice, morality and human decency by voting in favour of Palestine as a non-member observer state at the United Nations on Nov 29,” said Ashrawi, who is PLO Department of Culture and Information head, in a statement released by the Palestinian Embassy here.

    She noted that the international community had demonstrated courage and integrity by “acting in accordance with the dictates of your conscience and integrity, rather than the dictates of power and intimidation.”

    “You have given us hope, and we pledge to work with you to make this shared world of ours more peaceful and humane,” she said, pointing out that the legal, political and moral space of Palestine was a tribute to justice and the triumph of human spirit in the face of adversity.

    The UN on Thursday, voted overwhelmingly to recognise Palestine as a state, which has been a long-sought victory for the Palestinians, and an embarrassing diplomatic defeat for the US.

    The resolution upgrading the Palestinians' status to a non-member observer state at the UN was approved by a vote of 138 to nine, with 41 abstentions, in the 193-member world body. -- BERNAMA

    Related Articles