The statement was delivered in a message from H H the Amir on the occasion of the annual celebration organised by the United Nations Office in Vienna to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Vienna: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani reaffirmed the State of Qatar's unwavering support for the brotherly Palestinian people in their just struggle to restore their land, safeguard their holy sites, and secure their inalienable rights, stressing that this position reflects a moral and fraternal duty grounded in the principles of justice, freedom, and the right of peoples to self-determination.

His Highness emphasised that the Palestinian cause, with its firmly established principles, remains a fundamental test of the fairness of the prevailing international order and its commitment to international law and legitimacy.

UN solidarity day message

The statement was delivered in a message from H H the Amir on the occasion of the annual celebration organised by the United Nations Office in Vienna to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. The message was read on his behalf by Ambassador of the State of Qatar and its Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Vienna H E Jassim Yaqoub Al Hammadi.

In the message, H H the Amir expressed his pleasure at addressing the occasion, which was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in its 1977 resolution to affirm the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their natural right to self-determination and to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Highness noted that the day serves as an opportunity to honour the steadfast struggle of the Palestinian people and to send a clear message to their sons and daughters that the world does not forget their just cause, nor their prolonged suffering and pain. He added that the day also serves as a message to the international community and its free peoples, reminding them of their responsibilities and obligations under international law and of the necessity of upholding the principles of international law and the international order.

Call for justice and accountability

H H the Amir said that the excessive use of force against the unarmed Palestinian people, along with the continued double standards in the enforcement of international law, international humanitarian law, and human rights law with regard to Palestine, undermines confidence in the international community and encourages further violations.

While welcoming the voices of conscience and the forces of peace around the world, His Highness stressed that the Palestinian cause is not an issue of terrorism, but rather the cause of a people living under a prolonged occupation that must come to an end, affirming that only a just peace can guarantee security for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

Escalation of violence and need for protection

His Highness further stated that the developments witnessed over the past two years, including the unprecedented escalation of violence, repressive measures, and Israeli violations against the brotherly Palestinian people, place a moral and legal responsibility on the international community to support a just settlement of the Palestinian issue. He added that these developments further underscore the urgent need to intensify efforts to ensure protection for the Palestinian people and their holy sites.

H H the Amir added that the unprecedented human tragedies that have unfolded in the Gaza Strip, and whose repercussions have extended to the West Bank and the wider region, have laid bare the urgent need to put an end to the historical injustice endured by the Palestinian people. He said that for more than two years, the State of Qatar has worked with determination and perseverance, exerting every possible effort through responsible mediation to facilitate reaching an agreement that would bring an end to the brutal Israeli war and the resulting bloodshed and unprecedented human suffering, in a manner that lays the foundation for a political path toward a just and comprehensive peace.

Efforts exerted by the State of Qatar

His Highness also reviewed the efforts exerted by the State of Qatar, in coordination with other countries in the region, to end the war on Gaza. He said that following the declaration signed with the Presidents of the United States, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkey on October 13 in Sharm El-Sheikh, the success of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the US peace initiative adopted by the UN Security Council has become a collective responsibility that requires ensuring its full implementation in order to achieve peace and stability.

In this context, His Highness stressed that the international community must redouble its efforts to attain a just and lasting peace for the Palestinian cause, noting that the entire world has now come to realize that the status quo is no longer viable and that occupation cannot be peaceful or civilised. He affirmed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, remains the only path to peace in Palestine, Israel, and the entire region.

H H the Amir reiterated his welcome of the adoption of the“New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.”

International recognition of Palestinian state

He also commended the growing wave of international recognition of the State of Palestine by more than 150 countries, noting that this reflects an international consensus in support of the establishment of the Palestinian state and its right to full membership in the UN. His Highness further emphasized that the Gaza Strip remains an integral part of the Palestinian territories and Palestine.

His Highness also condemned all unilateral measures that undermine the two-state solution and entrench annexation and settlement activity, including Israeli laws that seek to impose so-called“sovereignty” over the West Bank and plans for settlement expansion.

He reiterated the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of the repeated attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem are null and void under international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

Commitment to political and humanitarian support

H H the Amir affirmed that the State of Qatar remains firmly committed to providing various forms of political and humanitarian support to the brotherly Palestinian people and to highlighting their just cause.

In this context, His Highness noted that following the signing of the peace agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh, Qatar swiftly moved to extend assistance to the people of the Gaza Strip, including support for the Gaza Municipality through the Qatari Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza to remove rubble and reopen streets, in addition to providing tens of thousands of shelter tents, as well as food and medical supplies. The Amir added that Qatar will continue to fulfil its humanitarian and fraternal duty toward the Palestinian people through sustained humanitarian, relief, and development support, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which has endured a siege for seventeen years under severe Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods.

UN's pivotal role

He expressed appreciation to the United Nations and its Secretary-General for the pivotal role and indispensable efforts exerted by the international organisation, its agencies, and partners in providing support to the brotherly Palestinian people, including Palestinian refugees. He also commended the great sacrifices made by United Nations staff in the Gaza Strip, especially UNRWA. His Highness noted that the State of Qatar has continued its financial contributions to the agency to support the pivotal role it plays in the international response to the Gaza crisis.

His Highness concluded the message by expressing his appreciation to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (UNSCIIP), and the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights, commending their efforts in highlighting the Palestinian cause and mobilising international support for the rights of the Palestinian people.

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