The report overlooks the effects of the continuous building and expansion of Israeli colonial settlements and the ongoing confiscation of land and water on the situation of Palestinian women and children. We believe that this issue should be a concern of the international community, particularly the United Nations. The increase in the breakup of families and the lack of a solution for the Palestine refugees are serious problems that continue to affect Palestinian women and impede their progress. We would like to note improvement in the report and the issues dealt with therein. Madame Chairperson, In spite of the difficulties that Palestinian women face on a daily basis, they continue to participate actively, with the rest of the Palestinian people, in their struggle for freedom and independence.
Palestinian women are committed to the strategies necessary for their advancement and empowerment.
Their goals are the establishment of an independent and democratic Palestine, based on the principles of equality and social justice for all. As part of their specific activities to follow up the Fourth World Conference on Women, Palestinian Women have prepared a national strategy and plan of action geared towards their advancement and empowerment and procuring an enabling environment for the achievement of these objectives. Details of the ongoing activities for the advancement of the Palestinian women are included in our national report, which we will submit to the CSW next month. In this regard, we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the organizations of the United Nations and donor countries who have provided, and continue to provide, assistance to Palestinian women. As for the Middle East peace process, it continues to be subject to persistent undermining due to Israeli policies and practices carried out in violation of the agreements reached as well as of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.