UNGA79: PLENARY – DIVISION FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS OF THE SECRETARIAT (ITEM 33)
STATEMENT BY H. E. JAMES LARSEN, AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, AUSTRALIAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
03 December 2024
As delivered.
Further, Australia’s shift from no to abstention today on the resolution for the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat reflects the position our country took until 2003.
Our return to this position reflects our frustration, and that of the great majority of countries, that more than 77 years since the General Assembly adopted Resolution 181: a plan for two states side by side – one Jewish, one Palestinian - a Palestinian state still does not exist.
It reflects Australia’s belief that we must all, once again, contribute new ways to build momentum towards lasting peace.
Because a two-state solution - a Palestinian state and the State of Israel side-by-side within safe, secure and internationally recognised borders - remains the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence.
It remains the only hope to see a secure and prosperous future for both peoples.
Australia could not move further than abstention because of our concerns over the work of this Division to date.
We continue to have reservations that the Division for Palestinian Rights devotes too many resources to a one-sided perspective of the conflict.
UN Divisions such as this one must do better.
They must offer constructive advice and support to the international community to work together to pave a path to lasting peace.
Because any lasting solution to the Middle East conflict cannot be at the expense of either Palestinians or Israelis.