20 May 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that the Philippines voted in favor of a resolution in the United Nations Security Council calling on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and insisting on its obligation not to destroy homes contrary to that law.

The Council yesterday voted 14 in favour, with the United States abstaining, to adopt a resolution expressing its grave concern regarding the humanitarian situation of Palestinians made homeless in the Rafah area, and calling for the provision of emergency assistance.

Earlier this week, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that nearly 2,200 people have been left without shelter and 191 homes have been demolished throughout Gaza since the beginning of May.
 
“In the resolution, we also called on the parties to immediately implement their obligations under the Road Map, a plan sponsored by the UN, European Union, Russian Federation and United States, the diplomatic Quartet,” the Secretary said.

“There is a need to end the escalating violence and to bring the situation under control,” Secretary Albert said.

“The situation in the Middle East requires urgent attention.  The security and stability of the region, where we have 1.5 million Filipinos, is of critical importance to the Philippines.  We will support all efforts to fully implement the Road Map as well as all efforts, particularly by organizations like the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, to help find a solution,” she added.

In her statement during the recently concluded Ministerial Meeting of the NAM’s Committee on Palestine in Malaysia on 13 May 2004, the Secretary said that NAM has an important role to play in the search for peace in the Middle East, stating “We believe that NAM has an important role to play in all this.  We support the idea of establishing a NAM Ministerial Delegation, to work with the members of the Quartet and other stakeholders on helping find that elusive peace in the Middle East.”  She also told the gathered NAM ministers at the meeting that  “As a member of the Movement currently sitting as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, the Philippines will continue to abide by NAM’s principles and work for the realization of our common vision.” (please see DFA Press Release SFA-DDA-312-04 dated 13 May 2004)

In a related development, Secretary Albert joined United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in condemning the killing and injury of Palestinian demonstrators in southern Gaza.  “Innocent and peaceful demonstrators should be protected, particularly the women and the children,” Secretary Albert said. END.