Hawzah News Agency (United Nations, New York, US) - Speaking shortly before the end of 2016, Riyad Mansour said that greater global support was urgently needed for Palestinians to realize their aspirations for independence and self-determination.

Israel seized Palestine after the Six-Day War (June 5th to 10th 1967), as well as the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, from which they withdrew in 2005.

Last year marked more colonization: settlements built in the West Bank, killings, injuries, forced displacement, house demolitions, raids, checkpoints and administrative detentions.

'All this goes against any attempt to find a lasting solution to the conflict,' Mansour affirmed.

According to the ambassador, the world community must not miss the opportunity in 2017 to do justice, which involves the inalienable right of the Palestinians to live without foreign occupation and to be an independent member state of the UN.

'We trust in our friends,' said the diplomat. He also insisted on the importance of the Security Council to fulfill its functions and stop Israeli abuses.

At a global level, the occupation of Palestinian territories is clearly condemned and is considered by the UN Security Council as illegal and contrary to International Law.

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