Topic: Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Territories
Country: Ecuador
Delegate Name: Jason Feuerstine
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Ecuador position papers GLIMUN 2013 committees
Ecuador believes that Palestinians have the right to rule over themselves. The Israeli government has too long allowed the settlement of its people in areas claimed by Palestine. Palestine’s first step towards statehood, and thereby the legal means to expel the Israelis from their lands, being elected as an observer state to the UN, occurred within the last year. Along with 163 other nations, Ecuador elected to extend that status to Palestine.
Another question that arises from this topic is that of the Syrian occupied Golan Heights, territory claimed by Syria and Lebanon. Ecuador along with 110 other nations voted to pass a resolution that condemned Israel for its occupation and called upon them to resume talks and withdraw troops from the region.
The third question that arises from this issue is that of Israeli legal jurisdiction of Jerusalem. Ecuador, again, along with 162 other nations agree that Israel has no legal jurisdiction of the City as it is a holy city not a political one. Stated in the resolution passed, “…any actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power …shall be null and void…” emphasizes world wide belief that Israel is merely an occupational power and has no jurisdiction over these occupied lands.
The reason we are strongly in favor of a separate Palestine and encouraging Israel to withdraw and relinquish its claims to disputed territories is that we crave a peaceful Middle-East. We are currently pursuing Security-Council action to pursue the Israeli withdraw to the next level and therefore creating a Middle-East in which peace and prosperity reign.
http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/425FC5D6CDCDD8C785257AC500533CCB
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ga11319.doc.htm
http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/8FF287AAE8BC5E5285257AC40055AC0D
