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Statement by Ambassador Dumisani S. Kumalo, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, to the Security Council on The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question on 3 October 2000 Mr President, Unfortunately, this is not the first time that we have met on this issue. Ten years ago, on 12 October 1990, this Council expressed alarm at the violence which took place at Haram-al-Sharif and other Holy Places of Jerusalem. At that time, the Security Council in Resolution 672 condemned the acts of violence committed by the Israeli security forces which had resulted in injuries and loss of human life. Furthermore, the Council called upon Israel to abide meticulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949), which is applicable to all the territories occupied by Israel since 1967. It is thus with bitter regret that we meet again today in an emergency session to once again condemn acts of violence related to this Holy Place. Especially alarming is the use of live ammunition against civilians by the Israeli security forces. Mr President, Last Thursday, Mr Ariel Sharon, leader of the Likud Party, led a defiant and provocative visit to Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Occupied East Jerusalem. This was done in total disregard of the advice of some in the Israeli Government and other international role-players. Mr Sharon acted as a catalyst to this latest occurrence of violence. It cannot be denied that such provocative actions serve to provoke the anger and resentment of Palestinians in what is already a volatile situation. The invasion of the sanctity of the Holy Places has a very harmful effect on the Middle East Peace Process. In this regard, the NAM views all attempts to undermine the terms of reference of the Middle East peace process as a serious obstacle to the realization of peace. Mr President, At the September meeting of the Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement held in New York, the Ministers reaffirmed their determination to actively strive towards the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and the principle of land for peace. In this context, they stressed the need for the Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem. Furthermore, the Ministers reaffirmed that a just and comprehensive peace can only be achieved by upholding international legitimacy and relevant United Nations resolutions. The NAM believes that it is incumbent on all Member States to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international humanitarian law and all other instruments of international law, as well as relevant United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. The NAM therefore calls on the Israeli Government to exercise restraint and to act in accordance with its stated desire to achieve peace. It further urges Israel to cease its measures of collective punishment against Palestinians, to restore the sanctity of the Haram al-Sharif, and to allow free access to it by Muslim worshippers. Mr President, Speaking as a representative of South Africa, my government is convinced that the leadership in Palestine and Israel are committed to seeking a peaceful settlement of the conflict. We still look forward to a breakthrough in the negotiations despite the violence - and the Paris and Cairo Summits are to be welcomed as opportunities in this regard. We believe that it is only the speedy resolution of the Final Status issues that will assure lasting peace in the Middle East.
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