The United Nations General Assembly is marking the 23rd edition of the annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The debate is expected to generate six resolutions which are critical of Israel. Until recently, Israel boycotted the debate, but for the past two years has sought a platform to defend itself. Palestinian statehood was a "vital" component necessary for regional peace, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. “This should be on the basis of the 1967 lines with agreed land swaps and a just and agreed solution to the refugee issue - a state that lives side-by-side in peace with Israel, within secure and recognized borders," Ban said. He called on Israel to freeze all settlement activity and said Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent announcement of settlement restraint fell short of Israel's obligations under the Road Map.
The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, accused Israel of failing to uphold its commitment to peace through its settlement activities and occupation of territory in the West Bank. Reading a statement from PA President Mahmoud Abbas, he charged that a double standard existed regarding Israel's compliance with UN resolutions, and that Palestinians continued to suffer under “colonial occupation," he said.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev, will address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. She is expected to reject plans for an unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state and emphasize that the only way to achieve peace will be through negotiations.
