Palestine Cause Still Grabs Attention, Obama Urged To Recognise Palestine

By Manik Mehta NEW YORK, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Nov 29, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's support for the Palestine cause. He also affirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people "for their struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and a unified state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders, side-by-side and at peace with Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital". "India will continue to support the development and nation-building efforts of Palestine by extending technical and financial assistance. India has been actively helping Palestine in its reconstruction process through various kinds of project assistance," Prime Minister Modi said in a statement, a copy of which was sent to this correspondent by India's permanent representation to the United Nations in New York. The statement added that India also contributes annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) fund. India has recently enhanced its contribution from US$1 million to US$1.25 million. Five projects are being undertaken in Palestine from the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Fund. India, the statement said, reiterates its advocacy for a peaceful dialogue between Palestine and Israel and is hopeful for its early resumption. On a separate note, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasised that it is "not only the duty of unarmed Palestinian children to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first Qibla of all Muslims. Embracing the Palestinian case and protecting Jerusalem is a common cause for all Muslims". Erdogan's remarks were contained in a statement received from Turkey's permanent representation to the UN. "We expect the occupied Palestinian territory to be returned to its historical owners. We will not remain silent in the face of actions aimed at restricting Muslim worship and harming the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque." Erdogan also pointed out that there is an "order of oppression and persecution" in Palestine, stating that the Palestinian issue has become a litmus paper for the UN Security Council. He also warned that the region will not find peace until the "wound in the Middle East is treated". Erdogan said that the "only way to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East is to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with the capital, East Jerusalem, based on the borders of 1967. It is imperative for the international community to increase its support for Palestine". Erdogan was also critical of the UN Security Council which was "created under the conditions of World War II". "Those conditions have changed now. If the United Nations is going to establish justice, all belief groups around the world and all the continents must be represented there. I do not expect any justice from the United Nations the way it is," he stressed. Erdogan also referred to the call made by former US President Jimmy Carter, who brokered peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David, urging Barack Obama to recognise the State of Palestine (as the United Nations refers to the non-member observer state) before he leaves office in January. Erdogan claimed that of the UN's 193 members, 136—more than 70 per cent—recognise the State of Palestine and the Palestinian push for an independent state. But the US, Israel and dozens of other nations do not, with many arguing that the recognition of a Palestinian entity can only come about through direct talks and agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The Turkish leader said that the current US government supports a two-state solution but Israeli ministers have suggested that the election of Donald Trump as the next president has dealt a huge blow to hopes of a Palestinian state. On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem and called for continued Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In an Op-ed piece in the New York Times on Monday, Carter said that it has been President Obama's aim to support a negotiated end to the conflict based on two states, living side by side in peace. "That prospect is now in grave doubt," Carter wrote. "The simple but vital step this (Obama) administration must take before its term expires on Jan 20 is to grant American diplomatic recognition to the state of Palestine, as 137 countries have already done, and help it achieve full United Nations membership," he said. --BERNAMA