INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY AMBASSADOR DR. RIYAD MANSOUR, STATE OF PALESTINE, ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTIONS UNDER AGENDA ITEM 16: "ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS OF THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION ON THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, INCLUDING EAST JERUSALEM, AND THE ARAB POPULATION IN THE OCCUPIED SYRIAN GOLAN", AT THE MANAGEMENT SEGMENT OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) (NEW YORK, 23 JULY 2019) (New York, 23 July 2019)

Thank you, Madame President,

On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I am honoured to introduce draft resolution E/2019/L.25 entitled "Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women". This resolution is grounded in international law and UN resolutions and addresses the obstacles and challenges faced by Palestinian women and girls, notably under occupation, and urges continued international support for them with the aim to ensure respect for their rights and provide them with the necessary protection and assistance.

The resolution reaffirms that the Israeli occupation remains a major obstacle for Palestinian women and girls with regard to the fulfillment of their rights and their advancement and calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to immediately cease all measures contrary to international law, as well as discriminatory legislation, policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people. The resolution also calls for urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian territory.

The resolution urges the international community to continue to give special attention to the promotion and protection of the human rights of Palestinian women and girls, and intensify its measures to improve the difficult conditions being faced by Palestinian women and their families, including those living under Israeli occupation and Palestine refugees, as well as continue to provide them with urgently needed assistance.

The resolution calls upon the parties to comply fully with their obligations, including as States parties to CEDAW and reaffirms the obligations of States and all parties to armed conflict to comply with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law and stresses the need to ensure accountability and end impunity.

The resolution stresses the need for Palestine to implement fully obligations under the instruments it acceded to that protect the rights of women and girls.

The resolution also stresses the need to increase the role of Palestinian women in decision-making and encourages systematic attention to, recognition of, and support for the crucial role of Palestinian women at all levels.

We look forward to the adoption of this draft resolution by consensus, as it addresses the obstacles faced by Palestinian women, recognizes their rights and identifies the means and support necessary to achieve their fulfilment, in line with the UN's membership repeated commitments to advance women rights worldwide.

Madame President,

I am also honoured to introduce, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, draft resolution E/2019/L.26 entitled "Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab Population in the occupied Syrian Golan".

As reflected in the ESCWA report conveyed to the ECOSOC by the Secretary-General, as contained in document E/2019/72, the protracted Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Syrian Golan continues to have a detrimental effect on the living conditions of the Palestinian and Syrian populations, as well as on social and economic development in the occupied territories. The negative impact of the occupation and of the Israeli policies and practices is multilayered, and their cumulative repercussions affect the future of the populations living under occupation.

The Secretary-General's report emphasizes that the economic and social hardships of the Palestinian and Syrian people have become increasingly worse as the Israeli occupation entered its 52nd year, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where the ongoing blockade has crippled the economic growth and freedom of 2 million Palestinians leading to sharp increases in unemployment and poverty level.

Furthermore, as the report clearly states, the current social and economic trends in the Occupied Palestinian Territory indicate that the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals will be almost impossible if there are no drastic positive changes to the existing conditions. Israeli- imposed restrictions, expansion of the illegal settlements and other practices not only prevent development in the occupied territories, but also cause humanitarian crises that necessitate the diversion of national and international efforts from development to immediate relief.

Madame President,

As in past years, the draft resolution expresses grave concern about the serious repercussions of the prolonged occupation and its associated regime and the resulting violations of the economic and social rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to work, to health, to education, to property, to an adequate standard of living and to freedom of access and movement.

Also, the resolution expresses grave concern over the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip as a result of the prolonged Israeli blockade, and calls for the full opening of Gaza's border crossings in line with Security Council resolution 1860 and IHL.

The resolution also stresses the need to preserve the territorial contiguity, unity and integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods through the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as to and from the outside world.

Moreover, the resolution reaffirms that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal and constitute a major obstacle to economic and social development and are in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2334 (2016) and that the Wall built in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal as stated by the International Court of Justice.

The draft resolution expresses appreciation for the economic and humanitarian assistance being provided to the Palestinian people and urges continued assistance commensurate with increased socio-economic and humanitarian needs.

In conclusion, this resolution stresses the urgency of achieving without delay an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement, and the need for renewed international efforts in this regard.

We look forward to the adoption of this draft resolution by consensus, with the hope it will contribute to alleviating the economic and social hardships of the Palestinian and Syrian civilian populations living under Israeli occupation and ultimately contribute to the international efforts to bring an end to this injustice.

Thank you, Madame President.