RAMALLAH, September 23, 2011 (WAFA) - The National Campaign, “Palestine: State No. 194,” Friday asked United Nations member states to support Palestine’s just bid for recognition and UN admission.
In separate letters to all 193 UN member states, the national campaign called on countries to support the bid and stand for international law.
“We call on you to lend Palestine your voice and vote in favor of the State of Palestine’s overdue recognition as the newest member of the United Nations. Help Palestine secure an effective and positive collective action that would bring the Middle East closer to a just and lasting peace,” read the message.
The campaign also called on states to stand by the universal principles of human rights and democracy and affirm that there are no exceptions to human rights.
In its letter, the campaign also reminded member states of their responsibility towards the question of Palestine, which was born at the United Nations.
“Sixty four years ago, the question of Palestine was born at the United Nations. On that fateful day, 29 November 1947, this august organization partitioned Palestine, our homeland, into two states. While one state, Israel, was born and has violated all relevant resolutions adopted by the UN since that date, the other, Palestine, has yet to have its day,” said the campaign.
The campaign also made clear that it rejected all arguments against the Palestinian UN bid; “The time for recognition is now and no place is more appropriate for this step than the United Nations. The international community must protect peace from the willful actions of Israel, our occupier, which have been characterized by aggression and unilateralism for over four decades. In fact, we believe the Palestinian step provides member states of the United Nations with an opportunity to stand up for the principles of international law, to which Israel has exhibited abject disregard for far too long. This is a chance to prove that the international community does not make exceptions when it comes to the universal principles of human rights. The world cannot pick and chose whose rights to defend,” said the campaign.
Finally, the campaign’s letter concluded, “These are historic moments that shall be remembered and recalled for generations to come. Your vote will be decisive. In a few days, history will record on which side you stand. We call on you to stand by the principles of the UN Charter; afford Palestine and the Palestinian people the long overdue recognition they have struggled so long to achieve. Consecrate the legal and moral principles of this organization and protect the Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination and independence. Make a difference and with your vote in favor of justice, contribute to re-writing history in the embattled Middle East. We count on your support so that through international cooperation and commitment to the UN Charter, injustice in Palestine can finally be dismantled.”
M.S.
