Our Next Century Foundation Research Officer Paphada Tulyaanukij delivered an oral intervention to the United Nations Human Rights Council 57th session through an online platform. She addresses the United Nations regarding the ongoing issue between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Transcript:

Dear President,

We call upon the State of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council members, to urgently promote a conference similar to the Madrid Conference of 1991. Such a conference would enable Israelis and Palestinians to articulate their visions for the future of Gaza and the West Bank, and work towards a mutually acceptable solution. This new conference must be multinational. It should involve participation from other Middle Eastern countries, including the Gulf Cooperation Council states. This would be vital in establishing the comprehensive peace that all the regional players need. Alongside UN resolution 242, the Arab Peace Initiative should serve as the basis for discussion at the new conference. It should have, as its objective, Israel's recognition of the State of Palestine. We call for the conference to be held in Vienna, given the Republic of Austria’s neutral stance, with the support of key UN Security Council members who have historic responsibilities in the Middle East, such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The time has come for Israel, Palestine and the international community to take a step towards creating lasting peace for the citizens of Israel, Palestine and the broader Middle East.

Thank you.