KUALA LUMPUR: It is high time for Palestine to be recognised as a full member of the United Nations (UN) in hopes of ending the ongoing atrocities committed by Israel.
Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia His Excellency Walid Abu Ali said the international community must now treat Palestine and the Palestinians fairly, viewing them through both eyes rather than just one.
This comes after the Palestinian delegation to the UN pushed for a vote to be recognised as a full member on April 18, a move opposed by the United States.
Walid said Israel's crimes have been overlooked for decades and Palestinians have been victims of double standards because "Israel believes that it is immune to the veto."
"Why not? Why can't Palestinians be recognised as full members of the United Nations?
"We witnessed the support of Malaysia and three other countries (New Zealand, Venezuela and Senegal) that sponsored UN resolution 2334?
"Why can't this be echoed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Arab League, non-allied movements and the international community to sponsor a resolution now and recognise Palestine as a full member state at the United Nations?
"Don't the 14 million Palestinians deserve to be recognised for their rights and to be treated fairly, similar to any other nation around the globe?"
Walid said since the veto was created within the United Nations, it has been used 85 times. And out of the 85 times, 81 times were against Palestine in favour of Israel.
"Unfortunately, whenever there is a resolution taken in favour of Palestine, immediately a veto is taken by the Americans against the Palestinians."
Last month, the UN Security Council (UNSC) turned down a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal after Russia and China vetoed the measure proposed by the United States.
The resolution, on which Algeria also voted 'no' and Guyana abstained, called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire lasting roughly six weeks that would protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
In February, the United States vetoed for the third time a draft UNSC resolution, blocking a demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as it instead pushed the 15-member body towards a rival draft that calls for a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The US has said the draft resolution put forward by Algeria could jeopardise "sensitive negotiations" between the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar aimed at brokering a pause in fighting and securing the release of hostages.
Contrary to calls for abandoning the two-state solution, Walid reaffirmed its enduring acceptance by Palestinians and that the Palestinian Authority's leadership is committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
However, he stressed the interconnectedness of Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem and rejected Israel's assertions that Gaza could function as an independent Palestinian state.
Without recognition of Palestinian rights within the framework of the 1967 borders, he said the Palestinian people would continue to resist.
"The issue is not in Gaza. The issue is not Hamas. The issue is not the West Bank or Fatah. The issue is the Israeli occupation. Israel occupied our territory in 1967, which is the rest of our historical Palestine.
"We agreed to have an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, which includes Gaza, West bank and al Quds as the capital.
"Without that, no Palestinians will accept to put an end for the struggle and the Middle-east will continue to suffer," he added.
