GFDD and FUNGLODE host Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations

The discussion began with Ambassador Mansour giving a brief overview of Palestine’s rich history beginning with pre-biblical times to the post World War II era when the Allies, as a result of the suffering endured under the Holocaust, promised Jews a home in the region which, until then, Britain had controlled under colonial rule. In 1947, at the end of British colonial rule, the territory,
including many of the holy sites, was divided and shared with Israel.

The Palestinian population of 10 – 11 million people is divided amongst those that live in historic Palestine and an even larger Diaspora located mainly in neighboring Arab countries. It is widely believed that these individuals would be key
players in the economic and social development of Palestine, were it to become an independent nation in the future.

Dr. Mansour also spoke about the large pool of human capital as well as the high level of education of the Palestinian people (literacy is at 99%). He explained that it was part of the Palestinian culture and heritage for parents to ensure the educational success of their children – over the last 60 years, thousands of Palestinians have received
scholarships from prestigious academic institutions around the world as a result of their superior early education and scholastic preparation at the primary and secondary levels.

As permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations since 2005, and also representative of the State of Palestine to the Dominican Republic, Dr Mansour spoke animatedly on the status of negotiations between Palestine and Israel and affirmed that the Dominican Republic, along with Costa
Rica, had been among the first Latin countries to support an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty and to find a solution to the conflict based on a shared vision of two States.

Palestine, which in October of last year was admitted by majority vote into UNESCO, is actively pursuing admission into the United Nations organization
as a full Member State and Dr. Mansour confirmed that talks and negotiations are progressing well. Despite the possible veto by some powerful countries, more than a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly now recognize Palestine as a state, and many Palestinian representative offices abroad are now recognized as full diplomatic missions headed by an Ambassador.

Dr. Mansour acknowledged that there remain a number of issues that need to be discussed and agreed
upon before full UN Member status is achieved including those relating to: the adjustment of borders, Palestinian settlements, wall-blocking, access to water, the naming of East Jerusalem as the Capital of Palestine and the issue of refugees. Nevertheless, Dr. Mansour remains optimistic that it will eventually happen – Palestinians are a resilient people and gaining acceptance in major international organizations is viewed as a crucial step towards achieving the status of a fully
recognized state worldwide.

 

About the Global Roundtable Initiative:
In close association with the United Nations, the Mission of the Dominican Republic to the UN and South South News, GFDD organizes regular meetings with UN Ambassadors and other prominent figures in the international community in an effort to spread the news, knowledge and understanding of other
countries, global issues and work of different United Nations bodies to its audience in the Dominican Republic, the US and around the world.