Government affirms solidarity with Palestinian cause

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The Government on Tuesday reaffirmed Ghana's solidarity with the Palestinian cause and renewed support for ongoing efforts of the international community and the United Nations to break the cycle of violence and pursue the peace process.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in Accra on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which falls on Tuesday, the Government said Ghana was concerned about developments in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians resulting in the loss of innocent lives, wanton destruction of property and the rapid deterioration of the Palestinian economy.

"The Government of Ghana reaffirms its subscription to the greater engagement of the United Nations Security Council in efforts to end the crisis and draws inspiration from the international community's adoption of resolution 1397 (2002), which affirms he vision of the two States - Israel and Palestine - living side by side within secure and recognised borders."

The statement said Ghana's viewpoint was for the UN to maintain its permanent responsibility with respect to all aspects of the question of Palestine until the issue was resolved in a satisfactory manner, in conformity with UN resolutions.

"The International Day of Solidarity provides an opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact that independent statehood for the Palestinian people has not still been achieved and that the Palestinian people are yet to attain and exercise their inalienable rights as defined by the UN General Assembly...." Ghana said in commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, it was recalling with renewed inspiration, the life and death of the late Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat, "a man of courage and conviction, who over 40 years incarnated the Palestinian fight for recognition of their sovereign rights.

"We are particularly happy to note that in spite of the many difficulties, the valiant people of Palestine have not given up the hope of realising their just aspirations."

The Government said it was happy to note the recent positive developments in the Middle East under the Disengagement Plan of the Israeli Government, which resulted in the historic unilateral pullout of Israeli forces from the Gaza strip and part of the West Bank.

It said the exercise, which was completed earlier last month, coupled with the agreement between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority on the Rafah International Crossing on the Egypt Gaza border this month and the inauguration of the Crossing by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, raised hopes of a new and promising chapter in the Middle East peace process, after a long period of deadlock.