RP SUPPORTS OVERWHELMING CALL FOR END TO WEST BANK WALL

The Philippines joined 144 other countries on 21 October 2003 in approving a United Nations General Assembly resolution which demanded that Israel stop and reverse construction of the wall being built in the West Bank.  

"We voted in favor of this resolution because of our particular concern that the route marked out for the wall under construction by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, could prejudice future negotiations and make the two-State solution physically impossible to implement and would cause further humanitarian hardship to the Palestinians," Secretary Ople said, echoing the sentiments of the European Union which had introduced the resolution.  

The General Assembly adopted the measure by a vote of 144 in favor, to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 12 abstentions. The action came as part of the long-running tenth emergency session on illegal Israeli activities in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied territories, which began in 1997 to debate Israeli actions in the occupied territories.  

The Secretary pointed out that the resolution also sought to address the issue of terrorist attacks which prompted Israel to build this wall.  

"This is a resolution that not only addressed the need to stop the building of the wall but also the need to condemn terrorist acts. This resolution also addresses the recent suicide bombings and intensification of violence with the attack in Haifa and the bomb attack in the Gaza strip, which killed three American security officers," the Secretary said.   

This resolution also reflects our continuing support for the Road Map for Peace for it also called on both parties to fulfill their obligations under the Quartet-backed Road Map," Secretary Ople added.  

The Secretary added that the resolution also urged the Palestinian Authority to undertake visible efforts to restrain individuals and groups conducting and planning violent attacks, and called on the Israeli Government to take no actions undermining trust, including deportations and attacks on civilians. END