NEW YORK CITY: Palestine’s foreign minister on Monday said that the State of Palestine has “legal and political” jurisdiction over the Gaza Strip and all occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, and warned that any attempt to annex the West Bank would be a violation of international law.
Varsen Aghabekian told a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York that the “imperative” to uphold the legitimate rights of Palestinians requires “unity of our land and our people under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”
She added: “It also requires everyone to commit to the PLO political program and international commitments, and to work under one regime, one law and a single armed forces.”
Her statement came as debates continue about the future role of Hamas in Gaza. Israel and several other countries believe the group, which was responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and hundreds taken hostage, should be disqualified from playing any part in the future of the battered territory.
Aghabekian called for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday to be fully implemented, in order to allow the Palestinian Authority “to shoulder its full responsibilities in Gaza,” and for the reunification of the Strip with the West Bank “under the management of the Palestinian Authority.”
She also called for a return to a political process that would end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, and lead to the implementation of a two-state solution.
The high-level meeting of the Security Council was convened as the signature event of Algeria’s presidency of the council for the month of January. More 70 countries attended, including Saudi Arabia.
Aghabekian said the Palestinian government stands ready to govern Gaza and the West Bank in cooperation with “friendly and sisterly” countries and international organizations.
“The Palestinian government is ready to provide basic services, including health, education, water and electricity; to guarantee the return of the displaced to their homes; and to prepare for the reconstruction phase,” the minister told the council.
“We are also committed to managing the (border) crossing points, in collaboration with the EU and Egypt.”
Aghabekian also underscored the important role of the UN Relief and Works Agency, the largest aid agency for Palestinians, describing it as “indispensable and irreplaceable.” A ban by the Knesset that would prevent the agency from working in Israel and the territories it occupies is due to take effect at the end of this month.
“The Israeli occupation powers do not have the right to prevent UNRWA from working,” Aghabekian said.
Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly, the political coordinator at Israel’s UN mission in New York, told the Security Council: “The families of the hostages and the people of Israel know that this moment is only the beginning. This war will not end until every hostage is returned and Hamas’ ability to terrorize is dismantled.”
She said Hamas has turned Gaza into “a fortress of terror, sacrificing their own civilians to shield their operations. It has weaponized schools, hospitals and mosques, transforming them into instruments of war.
“This barbarity demands a resolute and united response from the international community.”
Ben Naftaly added: “Failing to act decisively against Hamas sends a dangerous message to other terrorist organizations that such tactics are permissible.
“It is a test of our collective will to uphold international law and human dignity.”
The diplomat called on the Security Council to take “the most basic, moral step” and “unequivocally condemn Hamas and designate it as the terrorist organization it is.”
