Israeli Settlements Violate Human Rights: Iran UN Envoy

Speaking at a meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee of the UN General Assembly about “Israeli Practices and Settlement Activities Affecting the Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, held at the UN on Tuesday, Saeed Iravani said the Zionist regime is violating the human rights of Palestinians by constructing infrastructures for Israeli settlers at the expense of changing the local geography and economy of Palestinians, including destroying their homes, confiscating their lands, and destroying their natural resources as well as their public amenities, such as hospitals and schools.

What follows is the text of his statement:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

It is my privilege to express my great appreciation to the Chair of the Special Committee and Assistant Secretary-General for their valuable briefings. My delegation also associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Madam Chair,

It is our sincere hope that this opportunity will enable us to express our serious concerns regarding the terrible findings of the Secretary-General's report (A/78/554) which are based on direct monitoring and information gathering by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report contains disturbing findings that illustrate the horrific experiences of Palestinians in the occupied territories. During the occupation, many people were forced to evict their homes as a result of systematic demolitions. It is clear that these actions constitute one of the most egregious, and gross violations of human rights. The number of incidents of violence and fire committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, particularly women and children, has increased over the past year, usually accompanied by or backed by Israeli forces.

Based on the findings of the report, this regime remains determined to occupy more lands and integrate them into other occupied areas. This constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. In order to force Palestinians to leave their homelands, this regime continues to enact self-made regulations, policies, and practices. Accordingly, this regime for serving Israeli settlers violates the human rights of Palestinians by constructing infrastructures for them at the expense of changing the local geography and economy of Palestinians, including destroying their homes, confiscating their lands, and destroying their natural resources as well as their public amenities, such as hospitals and schools.

The Special Committee's mandate should also be supported as a way of raising awareness about Israeli illegal activities and mobilizing necessary international action in order to eliminate the violation of fundamental human rights and the suffering and plight of people in the occupied territories. Furthermore, the Israeli regime should be urged to address its accountability deficits and respond promptly to the Special Committee's requests.

Madam Chair,

Over the past month, Israeli forces have bombarded the Gaza Strip and have massacred nearly ten thousand Palestinians and injured more than twenty-five thousand civilians in a disproportionate war involving advanced weapons in the most cruel and brutal manner. In this assault, the Israeli military has destroyed thousands of homes and apartment buildings as well as protected buildings, such as refugee camps, schools, hospitals and buildings that house journalists. Other vital civilian infrastructure has also been damaged as a result of these attacks, which constitute a blatant and systematic violation of human rights, humanitarian law, and international law.

Aside from that, the illegal and inhumane land and sea blockade of Gaza, the world's largest and most congested open-air prison, continues to negatively impact the lives of the entire Palestinian civilian population within Gaza. All closures in Gaza and the blockade of Gaza must be lifted immediately. In addition, all practices that constitute collective punishment, including restrictions on freedom of movement within the Occupied Palestinian Territory, demolition of homes, revocation of residency, closure of towns, etc., must be stopped. The General Assembly has the responsibility and obligation, as the collective conscience of the international community, to condemn Israel's military aggression and ethnic cleansing. It must also adopt the necessary measures to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The high-ranking Israeli officials have issued two nuclear threats within less than two months. The most recent threat was voiced by the Israeli Minister of Heritage, targeting the people of Gaza. In line with numerous calls by the international community, including the UN resolutions, we categorically condemn any threat or use of nuclear weapons by Israelis against any nation in the region.

Madam Chair,

Distinguished delegates,

Occupation is the primary cause of conflicts in the Middle East. In the course of the occupation, the Israeli regime has increasingly forced Palestinian families to leave their homes and evicted them from their lands. The Israeli occupation has been threatening the peace and jeopardizing it for more than seven decades, and current attacks have provided a clear example of acts of aggression which require consideration under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

My delegation would like to draw the attention of the committee to the fact that Israeli illegal actions are in violation of international law and UN resolutions. International community members have already called upon Israel to cease annexation, settlement activity, destruction of villages and houses, and deportation of inhabitants of the occupied territories and to respect the right of displaced peoples to return to their homes based on several resolutions, including resolution 3005 (XXVII) (1972).

Security Council resolutions have explicitly emphasized the illegality of settlements and the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force. In its resolution 2334 (2016), the Security Council has reaffirmed that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. This resolution demands Israel to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Instead, as a result of the abysmal failure of its illegal order aimed at forcing Palestinians to leave their homeland, the apartheid regime has decided to destroy their homes and cities entirely, leaving them without a place to live. In spite of these grave and serious crimes and violations of international law, the international community has not yet responded adequately or held this regime accountable for its actions. Considering the current critical situation, we believe that the United Nations must play an important role in resolving the Palestinian crisis and ending the Palestinian people's misery in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The dire situation in Gaza necessitates achieving the full ceasefire as a priority, and then, immediate and comprehensive action to facilitate Gaza's reconstruction is needed. The rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, including housing, schools, hospitals, and essential services, requires the provision of adequate resources. It is also vital to ensure that humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials are delivered to Gaza without hindrance, so that a rapid and sustainable recovery may be achieved for the benefit of the Palestinian people. Israel and its supporters should be compelled by the international community to pay their contribution and be held liable for war reparations. Additionally, we encourage all Member States to cooperate in mobilizing international assistance to support the return of Palestinian refugees.

The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to support the Palestinian people in their struggle against occupation and in exercising their inalienable right to self-determination through the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Taking into account the Syrian Golan as an integral part of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran also strongly condemns the Israeli attacks and restrictions against Syria that resulted in the death and injury of Syrian citizens as well as demolishing their infrastructure. Moreover, according to the relevant Security Council resolution, Israel's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and of no international legal consequence.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my country's unwavering and complete support for the Palestinian and Syrian people whose homelands are under occupation by Israel. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always demonstrated its solidarity with Palestinians in their rightful and legitimate resistance against occupation and in their just quest for exercising their inalienable rights to self-determination.

I thank you.