By NNN-KUNA
Geneva : The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has voted in favour of a resolution on the need to preserve the national unity and the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
The resolution, passed by 29 votes for, two against and 18 abstentions, stressed the need to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods in the territories, including the removal of restrictions on going into and from East Jerusalem, and the freedom of movement to and from the outside world.
In addition, the resolution called upon Israel to restore and replace civilian properties, vital infrastructure, agricultural lands and governmental institutions that have been damaged or destroyed as a result of its military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The resolution reiterated the call for the full implementation of the Access and Movement Agreement of Nov 15, 2005, particularly the urgent reopening of the Rafah and Karni crossings, which is crucial to ensuring the passage of foodstuffs and essential supplies, as well as the access of the UN agencies to and within the territories.
In addition, the resolution reaffirmed the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to all their natural and economic resources, and calls upon Israel, the occupying power, not to exploit, endanger or cause loss or depletion of these resources.
The resolution called upon Israel, the occupying power, to cease the dumping of all kinds of waste materials in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, which gravely threaten their natural resources, namely, the water and land resources, and pose an environmental hazard and health threat to the civilian populations.
Furtheremore, ECOSOC reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development, and calls for the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.
The resolution stressed that the wall being constructed at an accelerated pace by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, is contrary to international law, is isolating East Jerusalem, is dividing up the West Bank and is seriously debilitating to the economic and social development of the Palestinian people.
The ECOSOC thus called in this regard for full compliance with the legal obligations mentioned in the July 9, 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and in General Assembly resolution ES-10/15.
The resolution expressed its hope that the recently called-for Middle East Peace Conference would pave the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
It requested the UN secretary-general to submit to the General Assembly at its 62nd session, through the ECOSOCl, a report on the implementation of the present resolution and to continue to include in the report of the United Nations Special Coordinator an update on the living conditions of the Palestinian people, in collaboration with relevant UN agencies.