Summary: August 5, 2002: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN, on behalf of the European Union on the Resumed Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly: Jenin (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the associated countries: Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, as well as the EFTA countries of the European Economic Area: Iceland and Liechtenstein align themselves with this statement.
We are meeting today at this resumed Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly to consider the report of the Secretary-General prepared pursuant to resolution ES-10/10 on the tragic events that took place in Jenin and other Palestinian cities a few months ago.
The European Union expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report. We recognize the efforts of the Secretary-General to prepare an account of the events that took place in Jenin and other Palestinian cities from early March to May 7 of this year. The report is based on the sources available to him. We deeply regret the lack of Israeli cooperation in implementing the Security Council resolution 1405 (2002) and in the preparation of the report.
Mr. President,
Military and violent actions only serve to breed more hatred and undermine the attempts to bring about reconciliation and a negotiated settlement of the Middle East conflict. Thus, the European Union deeply regrets the continued violence in the region.
Violence which continued only yesterday with several attacks, among others an attack on an Israeli bus near Safed. The European Union reiterates its condemnation of all attacks against civilians, Israeli or Palestinian.
Innocent civilians have thus again been targeted by meaningless acts of violence, which come at a crucial moment when the international community is working together with the parties to stop the violence and bring the peace process back on track. It is essential that these efforts continue. The enemies of peace must not be allowed to derail this process.
The dire situation in the Palestinian areas calls for immediate humanitarian efforts. International and humanitarian organisations must be allowed full, safe and unfettered access to the Palestinian areas.
Mr. President,
The European Union notes with concern the finding of the Secretary-General's report that a significant part of the fighting during Operation Defensive Shield took place in heavily populated civilian areas and that both sides placed civilians in harms way. We deplore the considerable loss of civilian life that has taken place.
The widespread and senseless destruction of Palestinian public and private property has grim social, economic and humanitarian consequences for the civilian population in the affected areas.
Mr. President,
Indiscriminate targeting of civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure cannot be justified. As noted by the Secretary-General, self-defence is not a blank cheque and anti-terror measures do not free Israel from its obligations under international law. In this regard, we reaffirm the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War to the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. Action taken in self-defence must
be proportionate. Israel must avoid civilian casualties and avoid damaging civilian property and infrastructure.
The European Union also stresses the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority under international law to protect civilians, including undertaking the maximum possible efforts to stop terrorist attacks against the Israeli population and bringing the perpetrators to justice. We note with deep concern the finding of the report that the Palestinian militants in Jenin adopted measures that constituted a breach of international law.
We note with grave concern the reports of unnecessary suffering of the civilian population due to the denial of access of medical and humanitarian personnel, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the incursion. The European Union is also deeply disturbed by the reported targeting by IDF of medical personnel. The actions against medical and humanitarian institutions are absolutely unacceptable and contrary to UN Conventions and international humanitarian law.
The European Union calls upon both parties to strictly comply with international law and to exert all efforts to protect civilians when preventing and combating terror. We urge the government of Israel not to take any actions that are inconsistent with international humanitarian law, such as forcible transfer of protected persons, regardless of motive, and to refrain from any acts of collective punishment, such as demolition of Palestinian homes. We similarly urge the Palestinians to take all
effective steps to prevent further suicide bombings or any other actions directed against civilians.
Mr. President,
Above all, the Secretary-General's report paints a picture of human suffering and clearly illustrates that there is no military solution to this conflict. We therefore fully share the Secretary-General's conclusion that the events described in his report, along with the on-going cycle of violence and continuing deterioration of the situation, demonstrate the urgent need for the parties to resume a process that would lead back to the negotiating table.
Important elements of a process towards peace in the Middle East have been set in motion. In March at the Beirut Summit, the Arab League endorsed the initiative of Saudi Arabia. At the recent Quartet meeting in New York on 16 July, it was decided to establish a number of working groups to assist and monitor the Palestinian reform process. The Quartet will in the months ahead also focus on establishing a road map on how to implement the vision of a Palestinian State within three years as
outlined in President Bush's speech on 24 June.
Thus, the European Union reiterates its readiness to support, in cooperation with our partners in the Quartet and in the Arab world, the parties in this process towards achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 1397.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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