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IV. SECRETARY-GENERAL ESTABLISHES Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ BOARD OF INQUIRY INTO GAZA INCIDENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The following statement was issued on 10 November 2014 by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (SG\/SM\/16324):<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The Secretary-General has established an internal and independent United Nations Headquarters Board of Inquiry into certain incidents that occurred in the Gaza Strip between 8 July and 26 August 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
The Board will be led by Patrick Cammaert (The Netherlands) and includes as its other members Maria Vicien-Milburn (Argentina), Lee O\u2019Brien (United States), Pierre Lemelin (Canada) and K.C. Reddy (India). It will review and investigate a number of specific incidents in which death or injuries occurred at, and\/or damage done to, United Nations premises. The Board will also review and investigate incidents in which weapons were found to be present on United Nations premises. The Secretary-General expects that the Board will enjoy the full cooperation of all parties concerned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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V. SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY INCREASED VIOLENCE IN ISRAEL AND THE WEST BANK<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The following statement was issued on 11 November 2014 by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (SG\/SM\/16330):<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the upsurge in violence and killings over the past few days in Israel and the West Bank. Violence only deepens distrust, while making more distant the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Secretary-General calls on all sides to do everything they possibly can to avoid further exacerbating an already tense environment. His thoughts are with the families of the victims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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VI. ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION ADDRESSES SECRETARY-GENERAL
\nON ACTS OF AGGRESSION AGAINST ISLAMIC HOLY SITES IN JERUSALEM<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The following letter was addressed to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 14 November 2014 by the Charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (A\/69\/584, S\/2014\/814):<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
I am writing to you on behalf of the Ambassadorial Group of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to express the serious concerns of OIC about the grave breaches of international law that are being perpetrated by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in particular in Occupied East Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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We are alarmed by acts of aggression at Al-Haram Al-Sharif, including the repeated storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli officials, settlers and extremist groups, which harm the sanctity of this Holy Site and have led to heightening tensions in the city. Such provocations have become more frequent and more aggressive in recent months and have been carried out with the surveillance and protection of Israeli occupying forces. Moreover, these provocations are happening simultaneously with dangerous incitement by Israeli government officials regarding the status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif. All of these actions are exacerbating the already fragile situation in Occupied East Jerusalem in a way that threatens to ignite a full-scale conflagration in the region. The complacency of the Israeli Government vis-a-vis such acts is a clear indication that it condones the attempts aimed at altering the Islamic character and identity of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, a matter that merely serves to incite more extremism and regional tension.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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In this regard, we wish to express our absolute rejection of the provocative action undertaken on 5 November by Israel, the occupying Power, when it sealed Al-Haram Al-Sharif and prevented Muslim worshippers from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque. This led to clashes between the Palestinian worshippers and the intruding Israeli religious fanatics, who were permitted by the Israeli authorities to enter. In a repugnant and provocative act, a group of Israeli extremist settlers, protected by hundreds of Israeli occupying forces, stormed the Mosque with their shoes in a shameful manner and threw Holy Quran books on the floor of the Mosque, desecrating the sanctity of one of the most holy sites for the world\u2019s 1.6 billion Muslims. Israeli occupying forces also attacked Palestinian worshippers with rubber-coated bullets and fired stun grenades, seriously injuring dozens of Palestinians.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Likewise, Israel, the occupying Power, continues to suppress the religious rights and freedoms of the Palestinian people by restricting the number and age of worshippers accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque. Furthermore, harsh restrictions continue to be imposed by Israel, obstructing the access of Palestinians, Muslims and Christians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the Holy City and its Holy Sites for two decades.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Several Israeli officials have declared, on numerous occasions, the Government\u2019s intention to extend Israel\u2019s control over Al-Haram Al-Sharif. Alongside these announcements, Israeli lawmakers and government officials continue to express rhetoric about the so-called plans for spatial and temporal division of Al-Aqsa Mosque. OIC condemns and firmly rejects all such illegal and provocative attempts by Israel, the occupying Power, to alter the decades-long status quo at Al-Haram Al-Sharif, and demands respect for the historic arrangements in this regard that have preserved the sanctity and security of this Holy Site over the years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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OIC condemns such ongoing assaults on or tampering with the Muslim Holy Sites in Occupied East Jerusalem. We deplore Israel\u2019s support of extremist groups, including encouragement and protection for groups that have repeatedly carried out incursions at Al-Haram Al-Sharif and have repeatedly issued threats against it. We also recall the obligation of all States under international human rights law to prohibit any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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OIC calls urgently on the Security Council to act immediately to uphold its resolutions, with a view to ensuring Israel\u2019s respect of the relevant resolutions as well as compliance with its obligations under international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. We urge the Security Council to act forthwith to compel Israel, the occupying Power, to immediately halt all aggressions against Islamic holy sites in Occupied East Jerusalem, and halt all illegal practices, provocative actions and incitement. In this regard, OIC calls upon the Council to immediately demand that Israel respect the longstanding status quo and arrangements at Al-Haram Al-Sharif and that it cease any attempts to alter it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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I should be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 35, 36 and 52, and of the Security Council.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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VII. ASG FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS BRIEFS SECURITY COÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµCIL ON THE SITUATION
\nIN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
On 17 November 2014, Assistant Secretary-General a.i. for Political Affairs Jens Toyberg-Frandzen briefed the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (S\/PV.7312). Excerpts of the briefing are reproduced below:<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The Secretary-General is alarmed by the escalation of tension in Jerusalem that has continued since the Security Council emergency meeting of 29 October (see S\/PV.7291). Clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli security forces in many parts of East Jerusalem and the West Bank have been taking place on an almost daily basis. Of particular concern are attacks against religious sites, including given how such violence can resonate regionally and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Escalating tensions surrounding access to the holy sites have contributed significantly to the spike in violence. The shooting of a prominent campaigner for Jewish prayer rights on Al-Haram Al-Sharif\/Temple Mount on 29 October was followed by the brutal attack on 5 November at a light rail station in East Jerusalem, in which two Israelis were killed and another 12 Israelis were injured when a Palestinian man rammed his car into passengers dismounting the train. Both Palestinian perpetrators of the two attacks were shot and killed by the Israeli security forces. On the Palestinian side, clashes at Al-Haram Al-Sharif\/Temple Mount between Palestinian youth and Israeli security forces resulted in multiple injuries, a number of them serious.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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We are also deeply concerned that violence has spread elsewhere in Israel and the West Bank. Serious incidents include Israeli police shooting and killing an Israeli Arab man in the village of Kafr Kanna, in northern Israel, on 8 November, who alleged that he had threatened them with a knife. On the same day, thousands of people reportedly protested the killing, leading to clashes with the police in the village. On 10 November, an Israeli soldier in Tel Aviv and an Israeli woman in the West Bank were stabbed to death. On 11 November, a Palestinian man was reportedly shot to death by Israeli security forces during clashes at a refugee camp near Hebron. On 12 November, suspected Jewish settlers allegedly torched a mosque near Ramallah in the West Bank. On the same day, a Molotov cocktail was reportedly thrown at the ancient synagogue of Shfaram. Over the weekend, a Jewish man was stabbed in Jerusalem \u2014 which serves as another indication that the violence continues unabated \u2014 and the circumstances of that incident are still under investigation. During the reporting period, a total of 494 Palestinians, including 60 children and 8 women, were injured by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank. Eight IDF soldiers were also injured.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Secretary-General has expressed his deep concern about the upsurge in violence, and calls on all sides to do everything possible to avoid further exacerbating an already tense environment. Preventing a further escalation of tension makes it essential that all sides demonstrate responsible leadership, avoid taking provocative unilateral actions and refrain from inciting their supporters through inflammatory rhetoric.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Secretary-General welcomes the renewed assurances by Prime Minister Netanyahu that there will be no changes made to the status quo regarding the holy sites. He expects Israel to continue to ensure the protection of the holy sites and the safety of all worshippers, as per its agreement with Jordan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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We note the recent separate meetings that President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu had with King Abdullah of Jordan and United States Secretary of State Kerry in Amman on 13 November. We hope that the announced confidence-building measures and firm commitments to maintain the status quo regarding the holy sites will translate immediately into a de-escalation of tension. In that regard, we are encouraged by the lifting, on 14 November, of age restrictions for access to the Al-Haram Al-Sharif\/Temple Mount, where Friday prayers reportedly went without incident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Another worrying development is the increase in demolitions of Palestinian buildings, which is also contributing to rising animosity in Jerusalem. Since 21 October, a total of 82 structures, of which 47 were residential, were demolished in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The demolitions displaced 169 Palestinians, including 80 children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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We are also concerned about the risk of the forcible transfer of the Um Al-Khayr be douin refugee community after the recent demolition of five dwellings next to an Israeli settlement near Hebron. Demolitions and forcible transfer contravene international humanitarian law and international human rights law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Meanwhile, Israel\u2019s ongoing settlement activity continues to undermine efforts to calm the tensions in Jerusalem. In defiance of the unanimous opposition to increased settlement activity expressed in the recent Security Council meeting on Jerusalem (see S\/PV.7291), plans have since been advanced to build some 500 residential units in the settlement of Ramat Shlomo. In addition, 28 new building permits and 200 new residential units were approved in the settlement of Ramot, in East Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Settlement activity constitutes a violation of international law, fuels further polarization and heightens the levels of mistrust between both sides. As the Secretary-General has consistently repeated, such unilateral actions will only further impede the chances for long-term stability and a durable peace, and should therefore be reversed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Returning to negotiations has never been more important. The absence of a credible political framework is further hardening positions on both sides and is providing greater political space to those seeking to exploit the lack of trust between the two parties for personal or political gain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Secretary-General urges the parties to return to peace talks. He notes the recent meeting on the peace process held in Washington, D.C., and the call for the resumption of peace talks by the European Union\u2019s High Representative during her important visit to the region this month. Without a genuine commitment from the parties and an overall improvement in the lives of Palestinians, we should anticipate further deterioration of the security situation and an expansion of the current violence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Two months ago, Special Coordinator Serry warned in this Chamber that averting a possible implosion of Gaza or another tragic conflict with Israel required urgent changes to the fundamental dynamics in Gaza. While some signs of progress have gradually started to emerge, the overall state of affairs in Gaza remains volatile and fraught with potential pitfalls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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On the positive side, the temporary Gaza reconstruction mechanism began its operations earlier this month. Led by the Palestinian Government of national consensus and working through the private sector, the mechanism\u2019s priority is the provision of reconstruction material for urgent shelter repairs. By 13 November, 1,086 Gazans had been able to purchase much-needed construction materials, including some 10,146 bags of cement \u2014 approximately 558 of the 1,298 metric tons of cement imported through the mechanism for shelter repair \u2014 to start the rehabilitation of their homes. A list of 1,926 Gazans cleared for import has been published by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to date. Nine vendors have been cleared to import to date, of which four are actively importing and selling materials. A further 115 interested vendors are being processed to enable their imports as well. That is relative to the approximately 60,000 shelters in need of repair as soon as possible that the mechanism aims to reach. To date, an estimated 80,000 people remain without shelter, including about 30,000 in facilities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Meeting those pressing needs is a monumental challenge. There are currently $62 million worth of United Nations construction projects awaiting approval by the Israeli authorities for an average of 24 months. The timely approval of those projects would be an important step towards accelerating the much-needed recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is actively assisting in facilitating the implementation of the mechanism. But, in order for it to be successful, we need a conducive environment and the cooperation of all the parties concerned. Homes continue to be surveyed and resources are being raised to provide assistance to those in need. Special Coordinator Serry has been leading efforts to accelerate that work. Now that the mechanism has become operational, it is critically important that donors honour their pledges made at the Cairo conference on 12 October. Urgent funding is particularly required to support critical infrastructure projects and to address Gaza\u2019s acute electricity and water needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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It is encouraging that Israel reportedly plans to increase the number of truckloads of construction materials entering the Gaza Strip \u2014 up to 800 trucks daily instead of the current 350 trucks. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ also views the temporary reconstruction mechanism not only as an important confidence-building step but also as a means to lift all closures on Gaza. We call on the Palestinian factions to uphold their responsibilities to ensure that the reconstruction material is not diverted to support illegal activities. We also encourage both Israel and Egypt to accelerate efforts to devise sustainable solutions that will address their legitimate security concerns while progressively easing border restrictions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Those efforts notwithstanding, the reconstruction of Gaza is doomed to fail without a long-term ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians. In that regard, after their postponement last month, we note Egypt\u2019s intention to host vital talks during the second half of November. The importance of urgently continuing the negotiations cannot be overstated. We strongly encourage the parties to use the opportunity of the talks to reach agreement on concrete arrangements that will sustain the ceasefire and reinforce reconstruction efforts. That should involve serious discussion of tangible steps leading to the lifting of the closures that continue to perpetuate Gaza\u2019s socioeconomic despair and to embolden the proponents of extremism and violence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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In that regard, we are troubled by reports that a number of rockets have been tested within Gaza. An additional rocket reportedly landed in southern Israel on 31 October, prompting the Israeli authorities to close the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings for the the three days that followed. Hamas reportedly arrested the group suspected of launching the rocket. We are also concerned that six Palestinians were reportedly shot and injured by the IDF in Gaza, three near the border fence, including a Palestinian boy on 16 November, and three fishermen at sea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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We strongly condemn the use of rockets by militants in Gaza. If continued, those actions would have seriously damaging consequences. Every rocket launched from Gaza cripples reconstruction efforts and risks renewing conflict with Israel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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There has been little or no progress on implementing the agreement that established the Palestinian Government of national consensus. The bombings that recently targeted Gaza-based members and facilities of Fatah underline the fragility of the reconciliation agreement. We strongly encourage the Palestinian factions to urgently undertake the necessary work to implement the agreement and refrain from any action that could undermine such efforts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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In particular, the Government of national consensus must be empowered to assume its rightful security and governance responsibilities in Gaza. That is also necessary for reconstruction to be implemented at the required pace. The Secretary-General has underscored the support of the United Nations in that regard. All the parties concerned need to cooperate and urgently address important issues, such as the transfer of full control over the crossings to the Government and conducting urgent civil service reform, including, importantly, in the security sector. The recent humanitarian payment to some 24,000 civil servants hired under the former de-facto authorities, facilitated by the United Nations, must now be used as a stepping stone towards civil service integration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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In conclusion, we would like to stress that Gaza\u2019s reconstruction will not be possible without efforts to build trust between Israelis and Palestinians. That requires a strengthening of the ceasefire, including a lifting of the closures, in the framework of resolution 1860 (2009), and the full and swift implementation of the temporary reconstruction mechanism in good faith. At the same time, the success of Gaza\u2019s reconstruction also depends on Palestinian willingness to truly unite and do what is necessary to facilitate the entry into Gaza of the Government of national consensus. Addressing those challenges will not be easy, but there is no alternative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, the upsurge in violence may have been triggered by the culmination of several recent developments. However, the continued reality of the close to 50-year-long occupation and the lack of progress towards the two-State solution ensure that the next round of violence is never too far below the surface. The time has come for leaders on both sides to make the difficult compromises that will promote stability and ensure long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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VIII. SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACK ON WEST JERUSALEM SYNAGOGUE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The following statement was issued on 18 November 2014 by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki moon (SG\/SM\/16346):<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The Secretary-General strongly condemns today\u2019s attack on a synagogue in West Jerusalem, which claimed four lives and injured several persons. He extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Beyond today\u2019s reprehensible incident, clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli security forces continue on a near daily basis in many parts of East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The Secretary-General condemns all acts of violence against civilians. Attacks against religious sites in Jerusalem and the West Bank point to an additional dangerous dimension to the conflict, which reverberates far beyond the region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Secretary-General calls for political leadership and courage on both sides to take actions to address the very tense situation in Jerusalem. All sides must avoid using provocative rhetoric which only encourages extremist elements. In this regard, the Secretary-General welcomes President [Mahmoud] Abbas\u2019 condemnation of today\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The steadily worsening situation on the ground only reinforces the imperative for leaders on both sides to make the difficult decisions that will promote stability and ensure long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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IX. SECURITY COÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµCIL CONDEMNS ATTACK ON A SYNAGOGUE IN JERUSALEM <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The following Security Council press statement was issued on 19 November 2014 by the Council\u2019s President, Gary Quinlan of Australia (SC\/11660):<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the despicable terrorist attack in a synagogue in Jerusalem on 18 November, resulting in the murder of four innocent civilians worshipping at the synagogue and a police officer, as well as the injury of many more. The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the families of all those who have died and sympathy to those injured and to the Israeli people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The members of the Security Council strongly condemned all such acts of violence, expressed concern about increased tensions, which have affected both the Israeli and Palestinian people, and urged all sides to take immediate steps to restore calm. The members of the Security Council emphasized the importance of all statements condemning this attack and condemning all acts of violence, and encouraged Israeli and Palestinian leaders and citizens to work together to lower tension, reject violence, avoid all provocations and seek a path toward peace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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X. SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSES Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ INTERNATIONAL MEETING
\nOF PARLIAMENTARIANS IN SUPPORT OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
The following is Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon\u2019s message to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ International Meeting of Parliamentarians in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace that was held at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Headquarters in New York on 21 November 2014 under the auspices on the Committee of the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. The message was delivered by Assistant Secretary-General a.i. for Political Affairs, Jens Toyberg-Frandzen:<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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