9000TH MEETING (AM)
\nSC\/14836
\n22 MARCH 2022<\/p>\n
Fran\u00e7ais\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629<\/a><\/p>\n video<\/a><\/p>\n Speakers in the Security Council today denounced Israel\u2019s continued settlement activities, evictions and demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures, as the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed regret that there had been \u201clittle progress\u201d made by the sides in upholding obligations under the landmark resolution 2334<\/a>\u00a0(2016).<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael\u2019s settlement expansion continues to fuel violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, further entrenching the occupation and undermining the right of Palestinians to self-determination and independent statehood,\u201d said Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland, as he presented the twenty-first report on resolution 2334\u00a0(2016), covering 10\u00a0December\u00a02021 to 18\u00a0March\u00a02022.<\/p>\n Making that point, he noted that on 5\u00a0January, Israel published tenders for some 300 settlement housing units in the Talpiyot East neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, with the Jerusalem District Planning Committee later advancing plans to build 800 and 400 housing units respectively in the East Jerusalem settlement of Gilo.<\/p>\n Daily violence also continued, he said.\u00a0 Twenty-four Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations, clashes, security operations, attacks and alleged attacks against Israelis.\u00a0 In addition, Israeli settlers perpetrated 144 attacks against Palestinians.\u00a0 In total, Palestinians carried out 277 attacks against Israeli civilians.<\/p>\n At the same time, he welcomed steps taken to \u201creverse negative trends\u201d, citing Qatar\u2019s 27\u00a0December agreement with the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza Electricity Distribution Corporation to advance construction of a natural gas pipeline from Israel to Gaza.<\/p>\n In the ensuing dialogue, delegates called for a permanent halt to demolitions and evictions, particularly in East Jerusalem, as well as for strict adherence to the status quo of holy places, the proportionate use of force by Israeli forces and the end of settlement building, an activity that France\u2019s delegate termed \u201cthe expansion of colonies\u201d.<\/p>\n Continued violation of the core provisions of resolution 2234\u00a0(2016) \u201cmakes a bad situation worse\u201d, said Albania\u2019s delegate.\u00a0 \u201cWhat we heard is worrying and goes against what this Council is seeking to achieve.\u201d\u00a0 He called for \u201cconcrete, continued and sustained\u201d steps that diffuse tensions.<\/p>\n Pointing to diplomatic forays, the representative of the United States said officials from her country are visiting the region to explore ways to improve the quality of life for Palestinians, while Gabon\u2019s delegate similarly welcomed the King of Morocco\u2019s role as Chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation\u2019s (OIC) Al-Quds Committee for preserving the special status of the holy city.\u00a0 Norway\u2019s representative welcomed the decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to terminate eviction orders against four Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah, emphasizing that longer-term solutions are needed and that all evictions in East Jerusalem must be halted indefinitely.<\/p>\n The representative of the United Arab Emirates, Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity to welcome Jordan\u2019s diplomatic efforts to reach a common understanding that secures calm, and likewise commend Egypt for resuming reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n The Russian Federation\u2019s delegate said plans to further expand settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank could be viewed as a de facto annexation of large parts of the Palestinian territory.\u00a0 The primary goal should be to achieve a lasting, stable situation within internationally recognized parameters, he said.<\/p>\n Also speaking today were representatives of Ireland, Brazil, India, Mexico, Kenya, Ghana, United Kingdom and China.<\/p>\n The meeting began at 10:06 a.m. and ended at 11:48 a.m.<\/p>\n Briefing<\/u><\/p>\n TOR WENNESLAND, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, presenting the twenty-first report on resolution 2334\u00a0(2016), covering 10\u00a0December\u00a02021 to 18\u00a0March\u00a02022, said the resolution calls for the complete cessation of settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 However, \u201cno such steps were taken\u201d, he said.\u00a0 Detailing events, he noted that on 5\u00a0January, Israel published tenders for some 300 settlement housing units in the Talpiyot East neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, while on 10\u00a0and 24\u00a0January, the Jerusalem District Planning Committee advanced plans to build 800 and 400 housing units respectively in the East Jerusalem settlement of Gilo.\u00a0 It then advanced plans for another 1,200 units in southern Jerusalem, a significant number of which are to be built in East Jerusalem.\u00a0 On 1\u00a0February, Israel\u2019s Attorney-General published a legal opinion allowing authorities to declare land in the outpost of Evyatar as \u201cState land\u201d and authorizing accelerated planning procedures for the establishment of a settlement there.<\/p>\n He went on to note that demolitions of Palestinian structures continued along the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 Citing the absence of Israeli-issued building permits, \u201cwhich are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain\u201d, 216 structures were demolished or seized by Israel or demolished by their owners to avoid costly Israeli demolition fees. \u00a0These actions displaced 299 people.\u00a0 While Israel froze demolitions in East Jerusalem during Ramadan, tensions were high in Sheikh Jarrah, when Israel evicted a Palestinian family and demolished their home.\u00a0 Israel said it took this action in order to build a school for Palestinian children.<\/p>\n Noting that resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) also calls for immediate steps to prevent violence against civilians, including all acts of terror, he said \u201cunfortunately, daily violence continued\u201d.\u00a0 Overall, 24 Palestinians, including four children, were killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations, clashes, security operations, attacks and alleged attacks against Israelis, and other incidents. \u00a0In addition, Israeli settlers or other civilians perpetrated 144 attacks against Palestinians.\u00a0 In total, Palestinians perpetrated 277 attacks against Israeli civilians resulting in injuries and\/or damage to Israeli property.<\/p>\n Describing numerous security incidents, including the death of an 80-year-old Palestinian-American man in the context of an Israeli security force operation near Ramallah and the shooting of a 13-year-old boy amid conflicting reports about whether he was throwing stones or a Molotov cocktail, he went on to stress that settler-related violence remains significant across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 Beita village, near Nablus, was a flashpoint for clashes amid Palestinian demonstrations against the nearby Evyatar settlement outpost.<\/p>\n Recalling that resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) also calls on parties to refrain from acts of provocation, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric, he said that in a highly provocative move in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, a far-right member of Israel\u2019s Knesset set up a makeshift office in the neighbourhood. \u00a0Several Knesset members visited the neighbourhood, expressing support for him, while others encouraged his inflammatory actions. \u00a0In separate statements, the same Member of the Knesset also expressed hope that Palestinian hunger strikers would die and that any Palestinian who throws a stone \u201cget a bullet in the head\u201d.\u00a0 Following the killing of three Palestinians by Israeli security forces in Nablus, Fatah social media pages encouraged Palestinians to increase \u201cconfrontation\u201d with Israel. \u00a0Hamas also called for increased clashes with Israeli forces throughout the occupied West Bank, he said.<\/p>\n In terms of \u201caffirmative steps to be taken immediately to reverse negative trends on the ground that are imperilling the two-State solution\u201d, he recounted progress on civil and economic steps, with instances of high-level official engagement.\u00a0 On 27\u00a0December, for example, Qatar announced an agreement with the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza Electricity Distribution Corporation to advance construction of a natural gas pipeline from Israel to Gaza.\u00a0 In Gaza, Israel authorized issuing permits to some 12,000 Palestinian merchants and traders. \u00a0In January, the daily movement of workers, traders and businesspeople through the Erez crossing was the highest since 2007.<\/p>\n Rounding out his observations, he said Israel\u2019s settlement expansion continues to fuel violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, further entrenching the occupation and undermining the right of Palestinians to self-determination and independent statehood.\u00a0 \u201cSome 670,000 Israeli citizens currently reside in over 130 illegal settlements and over 100 outposts in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,\u201d he stressed.\u00a0 \u201cIsraeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity.\u201d\u00a0 The demolition and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures, and potential eviction of several Palestinian families from homes they have lived in for decades in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods of occupied East Jerusalem, is particularly concerning. \u00a0He called on Israeli security forces to exercise maximum restraint.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have regrettably seen little progress in the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) since its adoption in December\u00a02016,\u201d he said.\u00a0 On the contrary, the absence of a meaningful peace process to end Israel\u2019s occupation and resolve the conflict is fuelling a dangerous deterioration that is destabilizing the situation across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 He urged parties to keep in sight international law and bilateral agreements.\u00a0 Their vision should be of an end to occupation and for two States \u2014 Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State \u2014 living side-by-side in peace and security, within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both States.<\/p>\n Statements<\/u><\/p>\n LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States<\/u>) called for more participation with countries of the region through the Abraham Accords, welcoming that diplomatic opening which will build cultural ties, pave a path towards greater security and stability and build hope for people across the region.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, let me be clear \u2014 normalization is not a substitute for serious engagement between Israelis and Palestinians,\u201d she stressed, noting that United States officials are visiting the region to explore ways to improve the quality of life for Palestinians.\u00a0 Urging all parties to commit to constructive acts that help Israelis and Palestinians coexist and prosper, she expressed deep concern over tensions and violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.\u00a0 She deplored continuing attacks by Israeli settlers on ordinary Palestinians, urging the authorities to condemn them and hold perpetrators to justice.\u00a0 As Ramadan, Passover and Easter approach, \u201cwe must aspire to peace,\u201d and all sides must refrain from unilateral actions that could heighten tensions.\u00a0 The humanitarian situation in Gaza also remains serious, and, amid the current dangerous environment of scarcity, international donors should step up their efforts to meet the needs of Gaza\u2019s inhabitants, she said.<\/p>\n MONA JUUL (Norway<\/u>) said that with Ramadan, Pesach and Easter coinciding in April, it is imperative to avoid a new escalation of violence.\u00a0 Stressing that Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in security, she said the integrity of holy sites and the historic status quo in Jerusalem must be upheld and fully respected.\u00a0 Also calling for respect of the rights of Palestinians, including their right to peacefully protest, she voiced particular concern about child victims of violence and threats, as well as the arrests of Palestinian children.\u00a0 Among the significant drivers of conflict are Israeli settlement activities, house demolitions and evictions.\u00a0 Welcoming the decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to terminate eviction orders against four Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah, she emphasized that longer-term solutions are needed and all evictions in East Jerusalem must be halted indefinitely.\u00a0 In that regard, she urged Israel to refrain from carrying out a plan to demolish several Palestinian villages in Masafer Yatta in favour of establishing a firing zone for military training, as well as for the lifting of additional restrictions in Gaza, which are contributing positively to calm on the ground.<\/p>\n MARTIN GALLAGHER (Ireland<\/u>) reiterated his delegation\u2019s concern over continued reports of excessive force by Israeli security forces leading to the killing and injuring of Palestinians, while also urging the Palestinian Authority to protect and uphold the human rights of Palestinians under its control and enhance efforts to prevent terrorism.\u00a0 Calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid escalation ahead of the upcoming religious holidays, he called on Israel to halt all settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in East Jerusalem and in Area\u00a0C of the West Bank, in line with international law.\u00a0 Ireland also remains concerned about Palestinian families who remain threatened with eviction from their homes despite recent positive developments and about the continued impact of the conflict on children.\u00a0 In that vein, he called for an end to the administrative detention of children and any form of ill treatment in detention, while also renewing his calls on the global community to step up its support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA).<\/p>\n JO\u00c3O GEN\u00c9SIO DE ALMEIDA FILHO (Brazil<\/u>) expressed regret over the continuation of daily violence, unilateral actions and heated rhetoric that undermine the prospects of viable and lasting peace in the Middle East.\u00a0 Mounting tensions, especially in the West Bank and Jerusalem days before the start of Ramadan, are very concerning.\u00a0 Echoing the calls of the Special Coordinator on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions and provocations that fuel such tensions \u2014 particularly near sacred sites during religious holidays \u2014 he also called on all parties to urgently focus on de-escalation. \u00a0Civilians, including children, must never be targeted.\u00a0 Underlining the need for intra-Palestinian reconciliation, he said the current economic and fiscal crisis worsens the prospects of political unity and stability, adding that free, fair and transparent general elections should be held as soon as possible to renew the democratic legitimacy of Palestinian institutions.\u00a0 Meanwhile, humanitarian aid must keep flowing in a predictable, responsible and regular way to cover the basic needs of refugees who continue to rely heavily on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s work.<\/p>\n NICOLAS DE RIVI\u00c8RE (France<\/u>) endorsed the call for restraint, noting that the appeasement measures taken by Israel must be significantly expanded to stem a new cycle of violence.\u00a0 This requires a permanent halt to demolitions and evictions, particularly in East Jerusalem, as well as strict adherence to the status quo of holy places, the proportionate use of force by Israeli forces and the end of colonial expansion. \u00a0Expressing concern over the resumption of expansion projects since October, he reiterated that France will never compromise on Israel\u2019s security, strongly condemned any rocket fire against civilians and called for the immediate implementation of resolution 2334\u00a0(2016), underscoring the urgent need to reverse negative trends and create the conditions needed to resume negotiations.\u00a0 He also called for greater cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.\u00a0 In parallel, he called for restoring a political horizon and counted on the United Nations to this end.\u00a0 The two-State solution is the only path that will allow a just and lasting peace in the region, by responding to the legitimate aspirations of both peoples.\u00a0 He said France will not recognize any change to the 1967 lines, other than those agreed between the parties, urging States to make a distinction in their trade between the territory of Israel and the occupied territories, in accordance with resolution 2334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 Israel\u2019s designation of six Palestinian non-governmental organizations as terrorist groups is also of serious concern, he said, noting that France will continue to support them.<\/p>\n DMITRY A. POLYANSKIY (Russian Federation<\/u>), voicing concern over the continued stagnation of the Middle East Peace Process as well as the recent escalation of tensions, said the situation is being further exacerbated by Israel\u2019s unilateral actions.\u00a0 Plans to further expand settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank are particularly concerning and could be viewed as a de facto annexation of large parts of the Palestinian territory.\u00a0 The primary goal should be to achieve a lasting, stable situation within internationally recognized parameters, he said, stressing that the problem lies not in the basis for a two-State solution, but rather in factors that are preventing the resumption of negotiations.\u00a0 The holding of Palestinian elections is one crucial step, as is the continued delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need.\u00a0 In that context, he expressed support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s critical work and echoed calls on donors to step up their support.\u00a0 The Russian Federation will continue to pursue peace within the context of the Middle East Quartet, he added, advocating for that group to meet soon in an expanded format that includes States from across the region.<\/p>\n T. S. TIRUMURTI (India<\/u>) said that he is deeply concerned about the upward trajectory of the violent attacks and killing of civilians. \u00a0The recent judgement of the Supreme Court of Israel provides a temporary reprieve to the Palestinian families of the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. \u00a0However, the issue of potential legal eviction of these families remains. \u00a0Tensions have remained high in Sheikh Jarrah despite the Court\u2019s ruling against an immediate eviction, he said, underscoring that \u201cstatements by community leaders and public figures should aim to reduce tensions and not incite them\u201d.\u00a0 India has consistently called for direct peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine based on the internationally agreed framework.\u00a0 It has supported Palestinian nation-building and capacity-building efforts under the India-Palestine developmental partnership for over three decades now.\u00a0 His country also continues to assist the Palestinian refugee community through Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA.\u00a0 India is committed to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel. \u00a0There is no other alternative to a negotiated two-State solution, he said.<\/p>\n JUAN RAM\u00d3N DE LA FUENTE RAM\u00cdREZ (Mexico<\/u>), noting that the number of Israeli settlers has grown 12\u00a0per\u00a0cent since resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) was passed, said incidents of violence by settlers have also continued.\u00a0 The settlements undermine the prospect of a two-State solution and affect the human rights of the Palestinian population, he said, adding that seizing territory by force violates international law.\u00a0 Urging an end to all activities related to colonization, he said that while the truce on demolitions agreed during Ramadan offers temporary relief, it is no substitute for a definitive halt to settlement activities.\u00a0 Against that backdrop, he condemned all acts of violence against civilians and called on the parties to avoid provocations and incitement, as well as the use of inflammatory rhetoric.\u00a0 He also expressed concern over the fragility of the ceasefire and Gaza\u2019s slow economic recovery, noting that the impact of economic initiatives offered by Israel will remain limited until the blockade is definitively lifted.\u00a0 In addition, he noted the importance of holding Palestinian elections as soon as possible.<\/p>\n MARTIN KIMANI (Kenya<\/u>) noted that, despite the best intentions of the international community, little has improved in terms of political traction on the ground in line with resolution 2334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 Calling for accountability and strengthened efforts to combat acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas and other military groups, he reiterated that no cause could justify the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians.\u00a0 Pointing to trends over the current reporting period including violent incidents involving children and youth fatalities, an increased number of settler activities, clashes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the highest rate of demolitions since 2016, he said that addressing cycles of conflict will take much more than chronicling incidents and events.\u00a0 In that regard, he noted that substantive advice on clear timelines and objectives and frameworks for resolving pending issues from the good offices of the Secretary-General would add value to the implementation of resolution 2334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 Acknowledging the Israeli Supreme Court\u2019s decision to halt evictions in Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem, he described the action as a welcome move ahead of Ramadan, calling on all concerned parties to support grassroots efforts in mitigating against cycles of conflict.<\/p>\n HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN (Ghana<\/u>) welcomed the initiative for the recent high-level diplomatic contacts and dialogue between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership, including the outcomes that have led to a decision by Israel to reduce settler violence in the West Bank and avoid further unhelpful steps in Jerusalem.\u00a0 Despite the limited but hopeful developments, however, there are continuing areas of concern, such as the dire humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, he said, stressing that humanitarian access is needed to allow inhabitants to have access to basic supplies. \u00a0His Government believes that the path for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East runs through the two-State solution.\u00a0 It recognizes the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people as well as the aspiration of the countries in the region to live in peace and harmony, he said, calling on all parties to desist from unilateral actions that undermine mutual trust and goodwill.\u00a0 He encouraged the continuing engagement of the Quartet and the wider international community in helping the parties to implement their obligations for the settlement of the Middle East problem.<\/p>\n BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom<\/u>) said her delegation shares the concerns about tensions in the West Bank and welcomed the pause on demolitions in East Jerusalem during Ramadan.\u00a0 Citing the death of nine Palestinians in March by Israel Defense Forces live fire, she said that where there are accusations of excessive use of force, swift and transparent investigations are needed.\u00a0 \u201cIt is vital that all actions are proportionate,\u201d she said.\u00a0 She welcomed the dismantlement of West Bank outposts, stressing that settler violence against the Israel Defense Forces is inexcusable.\u00a0 \u201cOutposts are illegal under international law, under Israeli law, and are an obstacle to peace,\u201d she explained.\u00a0 She urged the Palestinian Authority to pass the legislation needed to protect women\u2019s rights, reiterating the United Kingdom\u2019s strong support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, in order to help refugee children, including girls, fulfil their potential.\u00a0\u00a0 She encouraged both parties to make progress on priority fiscal issues and to reconvene the long-stalled Joint Economic Committee and reiterated support for the historic status quo of the Old City of Jerusalem, citing the right to peaceful worship for the three Abrahamic faiths.<\/p>\n MICHEL XAVIER BIANG (Gabon<\/u>) said the disproportionate use of force against civilians and expansion of settlements only fuels the cycle of instability.\u00a0 He welcomed the decision by Israel\u2019s Supreme Court to suspend the evictions of four Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, in East Jerusalem, and pointing to the financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority, expressed concern about the risks posed to civilians, unless it is provided major financial support.\u00a0 Stressing that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires the rapid resumption of negotiations, grounded in international law and based on the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, as well as Israel\u2019s security concerns, he reiterated Gabon\u2019s vision for a two-State solution.\u00a0 As this vision cannot be achieved without a political commitment from both parties and mobilization by the international community, he welcomed the King of Morocco\u2019s role as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in preserving the special status of the holy city as a symbol of humanity\u2019s common heritage.<\/p>\n FERIT HOXHA (Albania<\/u>) said resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) represents a milestone in the Council\u2019s attempts to help end the conflict. \u00a0\u201cWhat we heard is worrying,\u201d he said, \u201cand goes against what this Council is seeking to achieve\u201d.\u00a0 Continued violation of core provisions of the resolution \u201cmakes a bad situation worse\u201d and threatens peace prospects for the region.\u00a0 While the full implementation of resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) is important, it may not be sufficient to achieve peace.\u00a0 He welcomed any step that promotes compliance with the text and opposed all unilateral actions that prevent its implementation, including evictions and demolitions.\u00a0 Violent acts by either side must be investigated.\u00a0 He condemned rocket launches and balloons from Gaza, stressing that Israel\u2019s use of force must be proportionate.\u00a0 \u201cWhat we need instead are concrete, continued and sustained steps that diffuse tensions,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Underscoring the vital role of civil society in fostering a culture of dialogue and mutual recognition, he said the uncertainty about the designation of six Palestinian non-governmental organizations \u201ccasts doubts\u201d about the work of other such groups and makes donors reluctant to fund their activities.\u00a0 \u201cThis is part of a disturbing trend of shrinking space of civil society, especially in Gaza but also in the West Bank,\u201d he said, calling for a negotiated and just solution, whereby Israelis and Palestinians enjoy equal rights in full respect of each other\u2019s concerns and aspirations.<\/p>\n ZHANG JÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ (China<\/u>) expressed concern over the recent deterioration of the security situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, underlining the \u201cunshakable moral responsibility\u201d to protect children in all conflicts around the world.\u00a0 In light of the upcoming holidays, he urged all parties to refrain from unilateral actions and to make every effort to prevent tensions from escalating out of control as they did in 2021.\u00a0 He also voiced deep concern over the expanding Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, calling on that country to stop its demolitions and evictions.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the international community should support Palestine in resolving its economic crisis and fighting COVID\u201119, pursue long-term stability on the basis of a two-State solution, help the parties resume dialogue on an equal footing and heighten its sense of urgency to reach a just and lasting settlement.\u00a0 He added that, while the conflict in Europe is currently dominating headlines, the situation in the Middle East remains equally important and must be treated as such.<\/p>\n LANA ZAKI NUSSEIBEH (United Arab Emirates<\/u>), Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity, saying today\u2019s discussion comes as the region approaches the month of Ramadan and other upcoming holy days. \u00a0\u201cThese occasions represent an opportunity to promote the values of peaceful coexistence between different religions,\u201d she said, echoing calls for calm.\u00a0 Welcoming Jordan\u2019s diplomatic efforts in that regard, she stressed the need to respect Palestinians\u2019 freedom to practice their religious rites.\u00a0 Regarding the implementation of resolution 2334\u00a0(2016), she voiced concern over the upsurge in settlement activities and continued settler violence, as well as the persistent forced displacement of Palestinians and the demolition and confiscation of their homes and properties.\u00a0 Noting that only 49\u00a0per\u00a0cent of Palestinians in the occupied territory have been vaccinated against COVID-19, she also highlighted the need to empower Palestinian women and youth and ultimately establish an independent Palestinian State in line with international agreements.<\/p>\n For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 9000TH MEETING (AM) SC\/14836 22 MARCH 2022 Fran\u00e7ais\u00a0 \u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 video Speakers in the Security Council today denounced Israel\u2019s continued settlement activities, evictions and demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures, as the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed regret that there had been \u201clittle progress\u201d made by the sides in upholding obligations under […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[657,723,759,834,5615,5533,882,894,915,981,1029,1074,1197,2321,2553],"document-category":[1329,2805,4389],"document-source":[1362,6169,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1829,2033,2029,1785,1857,2613,1961,2297,2185,2137,6251,1841],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6544,6541],"class_list":["post-271931","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-albania","country-brazil","country-china","country-france","country-gabon","country-ghana","country-india","country-ireland","country-kenya","country-mexico","country-norway","country-russian-federation","country-united-arab-emirates","country-united-kingdom","country-united-states-of-america","document-category-press-release","document-category-video","document-category-webcast","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-department-of-global-communications","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-children","document-subject-house-demolitions","document-subject-israeli-actions-in-occupied-east-jerusalem-and-the-rest-of-the-occupied-palestinian-territory","document-subject-incidents","document-subject-internally-displaced-persons","document-subject-jerusalem","document-subject-land","document-subject-legal-issues","document-subject-settlements","document-subject-west-bank","document-subject-women","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-arabic","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/271931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/271931\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=271931"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=271931"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=271931"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=271931"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=271931"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=271931"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=271931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}