Resolution 58/21
(November 26, 2003)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its relevant resolutions, including those adopted
at the tenth emergency special session,
Recalling also the relevant Security Council resolutions, including
resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October
1973, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002 and 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003,
Welcoming the affirmation by the Security Council of the vision
of a region where two States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side
within secure and recognized borders,
Noting that
it has been fifty-six years since the adoption of resolution 181 (II)
of 29 November 1947 and thirty-six years since the occupation of Palestinian
territory, including East Jerusalem, in 1967,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General submitted pursuant
to the request made in its resolution 57/110 of 3 December 2002, 1/
Reaffirming the permanent responsibility of the United Nations
with regard to the question of Palestine until the question is resolved
in all its aspects,
Convinced that achieving a final and peaceful settlement of
the question of Palestine, the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is
imperative for the attainment of a comprehensive and lasting peace and
stability in the Middle East,
Aware that
the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples is among
the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,
Affirming the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition
of territory by war,
Reaffirming the illegality of the Israeli settlements in the
territory occupied since 1967 and of Israeli actions aimed at changing
the status of Jerusalem, and affirming that the construction by Israel
of a wall inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and
around East Jerusalem, is in contravention of relevant provisions of
international law,
Affirming once again the right of all States in the region to live in
peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,
Recalling the mutual recognition between the Government of
the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative
of the Palestinian people, 2/ and the existing agreements concluded between the
two sides, and the need for full compliance with those agreements,
Welcoming the endorsement by the Security Council, in resolution
1515 (2003), of the Quartet road map to a permanent two-State solution
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,2 and stressing the need for its
implementation and compliance with its provisions,
Noting with
satisfaction the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, and recognizing
the urgent need to rebuild, reform and strengthen its damaged institutions,
Welcoming the positive
contribution of the United Nations
Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative
of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and
the Palestinian Authority to the peace process, including in the framework
of the activities of the Quartet,
Welcoming the convening of international donor meetings, as
well as the establishment of international mechanisms to provide assistance
to the Palestinian people,
Expressing its grave concern over the tragic events in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem, since 28 September 2000 and the
continued deterioration of the situation, including the rising number
of deaths and injuries, mostly among Palestinian civilians, the deepening
humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people and the widespread
destruction of Palestinian property and infrastructure, both private
and public, including many institutions of the Palestinian Authority,
Expressing its grave concern also over the repeated incursions into Palestinian-controlled
areas and the reoccupation of many Palestinian population centres by
the Israeli occupying forces,
Emphasizing the importance of the safety and well-being of all
civilians in the whole Middle East region, and condemning all acts of
violence and terror against civilians on both sides, including the suicide
bombings and extrajudicial executions,
Gravely concerned over the increased suffering and casualties on both
the Palestinian and Israeli sides, the loss of confidence on both sides
and the dire situation facing the Middle East peace process,
Aware of
the urgent need for revitalized and active international involvement
to support both parties in overcoming the current dangerous impasse
in the peace process,
Affirming the urgent need for the parties to cooperate with
all international efforts, including the efforts of the Quartet, to
end the current tragic situation and to resume negotiations towards
a final peace settlement,
Welcoming recent initiatives and efforts undertaken by civil
society in pursuit of a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine,
1. Reaffirms the necessity of achieving a peaceful settlement
of the question of Palestine, the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict,
in all its aspects and of intensifying all efforts towards that end;
2. Reaffirms also its full support for the Middle East peace process,
which began in Madrid, and the existing agreements between the Israeli
and Palestinian sides, stresses the necessity for the establishment
of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and welcomes
in this regard the efforts of the Quartet;
3. Welcomes the Arab Peace Initiative adopted by the Council
of the League of Arab States at its fourteenth session, held in Beirut
on 27 and 28 March 2002; 3/ resolution 14/221.
4. Calls upon both parties to fulfil their obligations in implementation
of the road map by taking parallel and reciprocal steps in this regard,
and stresses the
importance and urgency of establishing a credible and effective third-party
monitoring mechanism, including all members of the Quartet;
5. Stresses the necessity for a commitment to the vision of the
two-State solution and the principle of land for peace, and the implementation
of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002)
and 1515 (2003);
6. Also stresses the need for a speedy end to the reoccupation of
Palestinian population centres and for the complete cessation of all
acts of violence, including military attacks, destruction and acts of
terror;
7. Calls upon the concerned
parties, the Quartet and other interested parties to exert all efforts
and undertake initiatives necessary to halt the deterioration of the
situation and to reverse all measures taken on the ground since 28 September
2000, and to ensure a successful and speedy resumption of the peace
process and the conclusion of a final peaceful settlement;
8. Stresses the need for:
(a) The withdrawal of
Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967;
(b) The realization of
the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right
to self-determination and the right to their independent State;
9. Also stresses the need for resolving the problem of the Palestine
refugees in conformity with its resolution 194 (III) of 11 December
1948;
10. Urges Member States to expedite the provision of economic,
humanitarian and technical assistance to the Palestinian people and
the Palestinian Authority during this critical period to help alleviate
the suffering of the Palestinian people, rebuild the Palestinian economy
and infrastructure and support the restructuring and reform of Palestinian
institutions;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts with
the parties concerned, and in consultation with the Security Council,
towards the attainment of a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine
and the promotion of peace in the region and to submit to the Assembly
at its fifty-ninth session a report on these efforts and on developments
on this matter.
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1/ A/58/416-S/2003/947.
2/ See A/48/486-S/26560, annex.
3/ A/56/1026-S/2002/932, annex II,
Sources: The United Nations |