UN General Assembly president calls for renewed efforts to build Palestinian State

Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, United Nations General Assembly President Ali Treki called on Monday for renewed efforts to establish "an independent and sovereign State of Palestine."

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which is observed annually on Nov. 29, is "a solemn occasion for renewing our commitment to a just and lasting solution to the Question of Palestine and a comprehensive peace in the Middle East," Treki said in a statement.

"This day is a reminder that the Question of Palestine remains the oldest unresolved issue at the United Nations. It is an occasion to reflect on the situation, a situation of continued occupation, which has dispossessed the Palestinian people and subjected them to untold suffering and tragedy over the decades," Treki said.

He urged Israel to lift the "inhuman and illegal" blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has forced 1.5 million Palestinian civilians into poverty and isolation.

"Israel should heed the call of the international community to bring an immediate end to the stranglehold on the civilian population and lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip," the general assembly president said.

On the issue of continued construction of Jewish settlement in the Occupied Territory, Treki said such actions must not be tolerated as it constitutes a main impediment to the peace efforts, adding that Israel must abide by its international obligations and refrain from actions that prejudice permanent status negotiations.

The UN has consistently upheld the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and will continue to work for a just and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine, Treki said, reaffirming that the UN has a permanent responsibility towards the question until it is effectively resolved, in conformity with relevant UN resolutions.

Source: Xinhua