Mr. Chairman,

From the outset, my delegation would like to commend UNRWA’s efforts to provide much needed assistance to Palestinian refugees in under difficult conditions. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Commissioner-General for his exemplary leadership in directing the work of UNRWA in these difficult times. The Commissioner-General’s Report also bears stark testimony to the devastating effects of the year-long crisis on not only the Palestinian refugees but also the general population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem.

UNRWA’s services are all the more crucial as the economic and social hardship suffered by the Palestinian refugees is aggravated by the Israeli policies of closures and restrictions on free movement of persons and goods and services. In this regard, my delegation is also concerned over the negative effects of these policies on the Agency’s work, which have led to delays and non-delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to refugees. We call on the Government of Israel to make every effort to ensure the free movement of Agency staff and goods in accordance with relevant agreements and international law.

In these times hardship faced by the Palestinian refugees and the commendable role played by UNRWA in providing assistance to refugees, my delegation believes that every effort must be exerted by the international community to ensure adequate funding for the work of UNRWA.

Mr. Chairman

My delegation unequivocally supports the struggle of the Palestinian people to attain their inalienable rights, including the right to return to their homeland and to have their own independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital. South Africa considers the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their original homes, as enunciated inter alia in UNGA Resolution 194, to be fundamental in the search for a just and durable settlement of the refugee question. This right was also reaffirmed in the Final Declaration of the recent World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Other related forms of intolerance which stated "We recognise the right of refugees to return voluntarily to their homes and properties in dignity and safety, and urge all States to facilitate such return;"

South Africa believes that peaceful negotiation is the only means of ensuring lasting peace, security and stability in the region. The achievement of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to an independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is pivotal to the achievement of a sustainable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The condition of land for peace remains as valid today as it has ever been. The implementation of Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) remains the only basis for achieving a just, comprehensive and durable settlement to the conflict in the Middle East.