video part II<\/a><\/p>\nAddressing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians as they arise cannot replace efforts to resolve core issues driving the conflict, a senior United Nations official for the region told the Security Council today, as Council members stressed the need to implement a two-State solution while other delegates criticized the organ\u2019s inability to meaningfully resolve a crisis that has persisted for over 70\u00a0years.<\/p>\n
Lynn Hastings, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Council that \u2014 while the specifics of the conflict fluctuate \u2014 \u201cthe structural reality has not changed\u201d. \u00a0Concerning levels of violence against civilians, illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and continuing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures have resulted in a \u201cgrowing sense of hopelessness among many Palestinians who see their prospects for statehood, sovereignty and a peaceful future slipping away\u201d. \u00a0She pointed out that many Israelis \u201calso understand the perils of continuing along the current path\u201d.<\/p>\n
She went on to note that soaring commodity prices continue to negatively impact Palestinian lives across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA) requires an additional $72\u00a0million by September to meet food-assistance needs for 1.1\u00a0million Palestinian refugees. \u00a0While mounting tensions must be dealt with, there is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues driving the conflict. \u00a0\u201cIf left unaddressed,\u201d she added, \u201cthe factors contributing to this corrosive situation will only deteriorate further\u201d.<\/p>\n
The observer for the State of Palestine next addressed the Council, stressing that \u201cwe know what the future will look like if nothing is done differently\u201d. \u00a0When an issue occurs, the Palestinian will be deemed guilty and the Israeli will be deemed innocent in Israeli courts, and the world \u2014 too accustomed to this pattern of tragedy and injustice \u2014 will express dismay and then look away. \u00a0At a time when the international community rightfully proclaims that Palestinians are entitled to equal freedom, security and prosperity, Israel persists in denying all three, he said, asking: \u00a0\u201cWhat will this Security Council and the broader international community do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
The representative of Israel then took the floor to point out that \u201csadly, nothing noteworthy has been achieved as a result of these debates \u2014 nothing for decades\u201d. \u00a0Highlighting the primary obstacles to peace, he spotlighted the Palestinians\u2019 absurd prerequisite that Israel accept all their radical demands, even before sitting at the table. \u00a0To move towards a better future, he said that the starting point should be analysing best practices. \u00a0Recalling United States President Joe Biden\u2019s recent visit to the region, he noted that the evolution of a big part of the Middle East from conflict to coexistence was openly on display for the world to see.<\/p>\n
In the ensuing debate, many Council members condemned settler-related and other violence, stressing the need to ensure accountability and end unilateral measures that undermine the viability of a future Palestinian State. \u00a0Members also highlighted the need to establish a direct political dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. \u00a0Others, expressing support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, called for predictable funding for humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n
The representative of the United States, updating the Council on President Biden\u2019s recent visit to Israel and the West Bank, said that normalization agreements between countries in the region are important to advance peace between Israel and Palestine and address the needs of the Palestinian people. \u00a0However, they are not a substitute for a negotiated two-State solution. \u00a0She added that the United States fully supports Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s work, recently providing $201\u00a0million for critical services.<\/p>\n
The speaker for the United Arab Emirates similarly highlighted his country\u2019s $25\u00a0million donation to the Al-Makassed Hospital \u2014 the backbone of the Palestinian health system \u2014 and added that recent diplomatic initiatives reflect a genuine regional effort to achieve peace for all peoples. \u00a0This can be seen, he pointed out, in the recent Jeddah Security and Development Summit and the I2U2 Summit, which involved India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s representative, pointing out that the question of Palestine has dragged on for more than 70\u00a0years, stressed that \u201cpiecemeal crisis management is no substitute for a comprehensive, impartial solution\u201d. \u00a0The security of Israel and Palestine are interdependent and indivisible, and he emphasized that \u201cseeking absolute security by using one\u2019s advantageous position can only lead to a greater security dilemma\u201d. \u00a0He called on those countries with influence over Israel and Palestine to play their due role in promoting the resumption of peace talks.<\/p>\n
When the floor was opened to the wider United Nations membership, Algeria\u2019s representative joined others in stating that the Council has, for years, adopted an approach that has led to the management of conflicts, rather than finding a necessary solution that would end the occupation and provide Palestinians with an avenue for pursuing Statehood. \u00a0The occupation persists in Israel\u2019s settlement policies and systemic actions that impose the status quo and expose the region to conflict, he emphasized.<\/p>\n
Cuba\u2019s representative concurred, noting that \u2014 despite repeated calls by many international bodies \u2014 the Council has not adopted measures to end Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and military aggression. \u00a0The United States has repeatedly blocked Council action and prevented the organ from fulfilling its responsibility under the Charter, hampering broad, fair and lasting solutions to the conflict and guaranteeing Israeli impunity.<\/p>\n
On that point, the delegate from Malaysia noted that, as Israel practices extrajudicial killings, torture and killing of children, collective punishment, settlement expansion and evictions, its systematic oppression is tantamount to the crimes of Apartheid. \u00a0It is high time for accountability, he stressed, calling for Member States to urgently apply Council resolutions to end Israel\u2019s occupation and to work towards a peaceful solution to the conflict.<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s representative also pointed out that Israel\u2019s imposition of an Apartheid system debilitates any prospect of establishing an independent Palestinian State. \u00a0Moreover, the Council\u2019s inability to act against Israel \u2014 despite its willingness to act decisively on other issues \u2014 illustrates the persistent double standards and inconsistency in its work.<\/p>\n
The speaker for Lebanon, stating that daily Palestinian casualties are grim proof that the much-promised peace is still a pipe dream, underscored that the key to peace in the region is by ending the occupation. \u00a0Recalling President Biden\u2019s recent statement that the \u201cground is not ripe\u201d for new attempts to reach peace, she emphasized that \u201cthe ripeness theory\u201d allows for unilateral measures and facts on the ground to end the Palestinians dream of a State of their own.<\/p>\n
Japan\u2019s delegate, while also expressing concern over the violence in Israel and the West Bank, voiced hope that evolving regional partnerships in the Middle East will ease tensions and foster regional stability. \u00a0In this regard, he spotlighted the Negev Forum \u2014 involving Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and the United States \u2014 along with the work of Japan, Egypt and Jordan to discuss regional peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n
Also speaking were the representatives of Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Russian Federation, Albania, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, India, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, Iran, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, T\u00fcrkiye, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Azerbaijan (speaking for the Non-Aligned Movement), Argentina and the Republic of Korea.<\/p>\n
A representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, also spoke, as did the Permanent Observers for the Holy See, the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.<\/p>\n
The Vice Chair\u00a0of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People also made a statement.<\/p>\n
The meeting began at 10:02\u00a0a.m., was suspended at 1:20\u00a0p.m., resumed at 3:03\u00a0p.m. and ended at 5:00\u00a0p.m.<\/p>\n
Briefing<\/u><\/p>\n
LYNN HASTINGS, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Council that, while the specific developments of the conflict fluctuate, \u201cthe structural reality has not changed\u201d.\u00a0 Concerning levels of violence against civilians continue to exacerbate mistrust and undermine a peaceful resolution and, for years, illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank has been steadily shrinking the land available to Palestinians for development and livelihoods.\u00a0 Further, 399\u00a0demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures in 2022 have left over 400\u00a0Palestinians displaced.\u00a0 \u201cThere is a growing sense of hopelessness among many Palestinians who see their prospects for statehood, sovereignty and a peaceful future slipping away,\u201d she said, noting that many Israelis \u201calso understand the perils of continuing along the current path\u201d.\u00a0 Recalling United States President Joseph Biden\u2019s recent visit to the region, which \u201csignalled renewed consensus for a two-State solution based on the 1967 lines\u201d, she urged collective work to encourage steps that allow for a return to a meaningful political process.<\/p>\n
Detailing daily violence throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory during the reporting period, she also pointed out that settler-related violence has continued, with particularly concerning incidents in the West Bank community of Ras al-Tin.\u00a0 She recalled that, on 20-21\u00a0July, thousands of Israelis participated in a widely publicized campaign to establish settlement outposts across the West Bank and that, in advance of the campaign, Israeli authorities stated such activity is illegal.\u00a0 On 21\u00a0July, Israeli security forces removed the seven\u00a0makeshift encampments, and she welcomed the statements and actions by the Government of Israel to prevent the establishment of new outposts.\u00a0 All settlements are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace, she underscored, also calling on Israeli authorities to end the displacement and eviction of Palestinians and to approve additional plans that would enable Palestinians to build legally and address their development needs.<\/p>\n
Turning to Gaza, she said that the situation remains fragile, as efforts by the United Nations and other partners continue to deliver vital humanitarian and development assistance.\u00a0 However, soaring commodity prices continue to negatively impact Palestinian lives across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA) requires an additional $72\u00a0million by September to meet food assistance needs for 1.1\u00a0million Palestinian refugees.\u00a0 Similarly, the World Food Programme\u00a0(WFP) needs an extra $24\u00a0million to continue providing assistance until the end of 2022.\u00a0 Against that backdrop, she welcomed recent announcements by the United States and the European Union confirming their 2022 contributions to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA.\u00a0 Spotlighting the need for immediate steps to reverse negative trends and support the Palestinian people, she underscored that \u201cthe violence must stop\u201d.\u00a0 While mounting tensions must be addressed, there is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues driving the conflict.\u00a0 \u201cIf left unaddressed,\u201d she added, \u201cthe factors contributing to this corrosive situation will only deteriorate further.\u201d<\/p>\n
Statements<\/u><\/p>\n
RIYAD MANSOUR, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>, said \u201cwe know what the future will look like if nothing is done differently.\u201d\u00a0 The Secretary-General has warned that a repeat of Israeli violations similar to those during May\u00a02021 would lead to listing Israel among the violators of child rights.\u00a0 That was not a one-time event, however, but a persisting pattern across the years of abject disregard for the lives and rights of Palestinian children.\u00a0 This Palestinian generation is full of potential, he stressed, from Hanan Hroub, who received the prize for the world\u2019s best teacher, to Iqbal Al Assad, the youngest doctor in the world; however, it is also a story of unrealized potential, including the death of journalists.\u00a0 It is the story of entire families buried under the rubble of their homes, and \u201cover 2\u00a0million people trapped by a medieval blockade\u201d, he said \u2014 with an oppressor claiming a right to oppress the people and steal the land.\u00a0 \u201cWhat future for Palestine?\u00a0 What future for Palestinians?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 From the day they are born, Palestinians are acutely aware that they have no control over their lives; that a settler or a soldier has been endowed with a right to take away their life, while enjoying blanket immunity.\u00a0 Whatever happens, the Palestinian will be deemed guilty and the Israeli will be deemed innocent in Israeli courts; the world too accustomed to this pattern of tragedy and injustice will express dismay then look away.<\/p>\n
At a time when the international community rightfully proclaims Palestinians are entitled to equal measures of freedom, security and prosperity, Israel persists in denying all three, he said, asking:\u00a0 \u201cWhat will this Security Council and the broader international community do about it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 United States President Joe Biden\u2019s visit to the region provided an occasion to reaffirm fundamental principles about ending occupation and the conflict, including a two-State solution based on the 1967 borders, opposition to unilateral measures, including settlement activities, demolitions and evictions.\u00a0 However, he noted Israel announced yesterday that it was advancing hundreds of settlement units, including in occupied East Jerusalem.\u00a0 He called for the international community\u2019s political and financial engagement to translate into a common agenda for freedom, justice and peace, and to determine the immediate steps toward that end.\u00a0\u00a0 Noting that 10\u00a0years ago, the General Assembly adopted a historic resolution granting Palestine observer State status, he said it has since demonstrated the ability to be an effective and constructive actor of the international community.\u00a0 \u201cWe have every right to be a Member of these United Nations,\u201d he stressed.\u00a0 \u201cWe have every right to freedom and independence.\u201d\u00a0 Six\u00a0years ago, the Council adopted resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) setting a clear path to salvaging the two-State solution, ending the occupation and achieving a just and secure peace.\u00a0 \u201cI know everybody around this table and beyond wants peace,\u201d he affirmed.\u00a0 \u201cThe only question that remains is:\u00a0 are they ready to do what is necessary to achieve it?\u201d<\/p>\n
GILAD ERDAN (Israel<\/u>) said the biggest threat to the Middle East is the nuclearization of the radical Ayatollah regime in Iran, as well as its terror funding and hegemonic ambitions \u2014 threats that are almost never discussed in the Council. \u00a0\u201cSadly, nothing noteworthy has been achieved as a result of these debates \u2014 nothing for decades,\u201d he said, stressing that the current approach is broken and now is the time to work together to fix it. \u00a0Highlighting the primary obstacles to peace, he pointed to the Palestinians\u2019 absurd prerequisite that Israel accepts all their radical demands, even before sitting at the table. He noted that the endless incitement to terror stems even from the highest offices of the Palestinian authorities, adding that President Mahmoud Abbas pays hundreds of millions of dollars to terrorists.\u00a0 Despite the heinous actions of Hamas, the Council remains silent, he said, urging its members, on behalf of a father whose son with special needs has been taken hostage by the group, to take action.<\/p>\n
To move towards a better future, he said the starting point should be analysing best practices. \u00a0Recalling United States President Joe Biden\u2019s recent visit to the region, he noted that the evolution of a big part of the Middle East from conflict to coexistence was openly on display for the world to see. \u00a0Pointing to Israel\u2019s cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan, he highlighted new initiatives on energy, health care and transportation, among others, adding that Palestinians can also benefit from those gains and collaborative projects if they place the well-being of their people over the breeding of hatred and incitement against Israelis. \u00a0It is time for the Council to take action against Iran, its nuclear programme and its proxies, he stressed, adding that Hezbollah and Lebanon must no longer \u201cget a free pass\u201d. \u00a0He expressed hope that future Council debates will reflect a safe and prospering Middle East devoid of terror, teeming with cooperation and coexistence.<\/p>\n
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States<\/u>), updating the Council on the recent visit of President Biden to Israel and the West Bank this month, said the visit showed the United States\u2019 steadfast commitment to Israel\u2019s security and its determination to bolster its relationship with Palestine, which has roots going back to the\u00a01800s.\u00a0 President Biden held productive meetings with the Israeli President and other Israeli leaders on a full range of issues.\u00a0 He also met with some of the last living Holocaust survivors.\u00a0 She said that normalization agreements between countries in the region are important to advance peace between Israel and Palestine and address the needs of the Palestinian people.\u00a0 Yet they are not a substitute for a negotiated two-State solution.\u00a0 She emphasized the importance of a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can enjoy equal measures of security, freedom and prosperity.\u00a0 President Biden also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank to discuss the United States\u2019 support to strengthen the Palestinian economy and improve the Palestinian people\u2019s quality of life.\u00a0 The United States fully supports Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA\u2019s work and recently provided $201\u00a0million for critical services.\u00a0 She called on others to join the United States in supporting Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵWRA.\u00a0 During his visit, President Biden also announced $15\u00a0million in additional humanitarian assistance to support other vulnerable Palestinians.\u00a0 The visit showed the United States remains deeply committed to peace in the Middle East. She urged all parties in the region and around the world to support conditions to create a two-State solution.<\/p>\n
GERALDINE BYRNE NASON (Ireland<\/u>) said in the first six months of 2022, 60\u00a0Palestinians were killed and more than 5,900\u00a0injured by Israeli Security Forces, voicing concern over the pervasive culture of impunity for incidents of possible excessive use of force \u2014 or even potentially unlawful killings \u2014 by these forces.\u00a0 An independent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh remains essential.\u00a0 She strongly condemned settler violence and other ideologically motivated violence, describing efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice as \u201cextremely limited\u201d.\u00a0 There is an urgent need to reverse this trend and hold them accountable.\u00a0 Emphasizing that Israel\u2019s settlement activity gravely undermines the prospects of a two-State solution, she said immediate action is required to preserve the viability of this goal.\u00a0 Civil society has a vital role to play in shining a light on violations of international law and promoting accountability, she said, expressing alarm over the reduced space for civil society in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 Ireland will continue its strong cooperation with and support for Palestinian civil society, as affirmed by her country and eight other European Member States in a 12\u00a0July statement.\u00a0 She also expressed support for the call by the High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to revoke the designations against Palestinian civil society organizations as terrorist entities.<\/p>\n
BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom<\/u>) welcomed Israel\u2019s commitment to restart the Joint Economic Committee and accelerate transition to 4G cellular phone service in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, noting that they are important steps that have the potential to bolster the Palestinian economy.\u00a0 Echoing United States President Biden\u2019s calls for urgent progress in both cases, she said her country stands ready to provide support.\u00a0 However, the situation on the ground remains fragile, she noted, calling on all parties to de-escalate tension and stop the continued loss of life.\u00a0 Voicing concern about the imminent risk of forcible transfer of over 1,000\u00a0Palestinians at Masafer Yatta and the recent detention of staff of humanitarian organizations seeking to aid the community, she urged Israel to abide by its obligations under international law to ensure the residents of Masafer Yatta and other communities in Area C are protected, humanitarian access is permitted and to refrain from further evictions and demolitions.\u00a0 She also called on Israel to halt plans to advance 1,900\u00a0settlement units in East Jerusalem on 25\u00a0July, noting that settlements are illegal under international law and threaten the physical viability of a two-State solution.<\/p>\n
NATHALIE BROADHURST (France<\/u>) said the two-State solution, with Jerusalem as the shared capital, is the only formula that meets the legitimate aspirations of both peoples, upholds Israel’s security interests and the stability of the region.\u00a0 There is therefore an urgent need to avoid a deadly spiral similar to that of May\u00a02021 in Gaza.\u00a0 She called for efforts to recreate a political horizon and to address the causes of the deadlock, noting that France will not compromise on Israel\u2019s security and condemning recent rocket attacks targeting its territory.\u00a0 The short-term priority is to end unilateral measures which undermine the viability of a future Palestinian State.\u00a0 While noting Israel\u2019s announcement to ease restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, she condemned plans to extend or create settlements, particularly in the E1 area, the evictions of Palestinian families and demolitions.\u00a0 She further called for the suspension of evictions and demolitions in Masafer Yatta, which violate the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention.\u00a0 Calling for resumed direct political dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, she welcomed the most recent call between Prime Minister Yair Lapid and President Mahmoud Abbas.\u00a0 In the immediate term, France will support Palestinians through bilateral European Union aid efforts, and its support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA \u2014 all the more important in a global context of food insecurity created by the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
DMITRY POLYANSKIY (Russian Federation<\/u>), noting that the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict triggers frequent outbreaks of violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and undermines regional security, said that the stagnated peace process \u2014 compounded by provocative one-sided measures \u2014 is liable to result in a \u201cconflagration\u201d.\u00a0 Further, Israel\u2019s settlement and expansion continues to entrench occupation on the west bank of the Jordan river, despite these attempts to create outposts being illegitimate even under Israeli legislation.\u00a0 Against a backdrop of impunity for crimes against the Palestinian people, he underscored the need to strengthen international consensus on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian issue on the basis of a two-State solution.\u00a0 To this end, the Russian Federation has consistently advocated the relaunch of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that result in an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, that accounts for Israel\u2019s security concerns.\u00a0 He advocated support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, which is a \u201ckey agency for the support of Palestinians in need\u201d.<\/p>\n
FERIT HOXHA (Albania<\/u>) condemned terror attacks in Israel by Hamas and other terrorist groups.\u00a0 He called on all parties to avoid actions and provocations that undermine the prospects of peaceful coexistence been Israelis and Palestinians, adding that evictions and settler violence only exacerbate tensions and should be properly investigated.\u00a0 Expressing support for the two-State solution, he said that Israelis and Palestinians have the right to life at peace with one another, with full and equal enjoyment of human rights and freedoms.\u00a0 \u201cDespite difficulties, challenges and setbacks, we should not let this goal fade away,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cHopes of millions are invested there.\u201d\u00a0 Welcoming the recent visit to the region by United States President Joe Biden, he noted that an improved atmosphere and better relations between countries promotes stability to the benefit of all.\u00a0 It is important that Palestinians are also involved and benefit from that process, he added.<\/p>\n
CAROLYN OPPONG-NTIRI (Ghana<\/u>), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, reiterated the call on Israel and Palestine, as well as countries in the region, to commit to a negotiated, just and peaceful resolution of the conflict.\u00a0 The aim should be assuring all countries an equal measure of security, freedom, opportunity and dignity.\u00a0 She voiced concern about the worsening security and humanitarian conditions in the region, noting that since March, at least 52\u00a0Palestinians, suspected to be armed fighters but also including non-combatants, have been killed in the occupied West Bank.\u00a0 She also expressed concern over the death in Israel of 19\u00a0people, mostly civilians, calling for maximum restraint and urging both Israel and Palestine to refrain from unilateral actions that could escalate tensions.\u00a0 The path towards lasting peace runs through the internationally negotiated two-State solution, she said, with Israel and Palestine living side by side on the basis of the 1967 borders.\u00a0 She urged the Council and the wider international community to engage the parties, whose good-faith efforts are needed to resolve this decades-long conflict.<\/p>\n
EDWIGE KOUMBY MISSAMBO (Gabon<\/u>) expressed concern over the exposure of Masafer Yatta to an imminent risk of forced evictions, arbitrary displacements and transfers.\u00a0 She noted the meeting on 7\u00a0July between President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel\u2019s Minister for Defense Benny Gantz, which resulted in the latter\u2019s approval of measures aimed at building confidence between the parties \u2014 including legalizing the status of 5,500\u00a0undocumented Palestinian people, and an additional 1,500\u00a0work permits for people in the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 However, she cited the latest report by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on the number of children killed, maimed or victims of other violence.\u00a0 The international community must guarantee predictable funding for humanitarian aid, including to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, which is working to provide basic services.\u00a0 Without this financial support, there will be a drastic increase in social unrest, she predicted, marked by poverty, hunger and psychosocial problems.\u00a0 She further called on the parties to reach an agreement on the return of human remains to their families.<\/p>\n
MOHAMED ABUSHAHAB (United Arab Emirates<\/u>) expressed hope that approvals for the reunification of 5,500\u00a0Palestinian families, six\u00a0structural maps for Palestinians in the West Bank and the reopening of a crossing point into Jenin city in the northern West Bank will restore confidence between Palestine and Israel.\u00a0 However, tensions and violent clashes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory highlight the need for both sides to refrain from provocations, and for all illegal practices to stop, including the construction and expansion of settlements, and confiscation of Palestinian lands and property.\u00a0 These measures undermine the two-State solution and efforts to achieve peace.\u00a0 Noting that the United Arab Emirates recently announced a $25\u00a0million donation in support of Al-Makassed Hospital, the backbone of the Palestinian health system, he urged the international community, particularly the Security Council, to seize the opportunities to revive the Middle East Peace Process, adding that recent diplomatic initiatives reflect a genuine regional effort to achieve peace for all peoples.\u00a0 This can be seen in the recent Jeddah Security and Development Summit and the I2U2 Summit [India, Israel, United Arab Emirates, United States] which coincided with the visit of United States President Joe Biden to the region.\u00a0 \u201cWe look forward to building on these efforts to achieve security, stability and prosperity for our region and the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
MICHAEL KIBONINO (Kenya<\/u>) noted that the joint statement by the Summit of the Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States highlighted efforts to enhance contributions to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network.\u00a0 Such initiatives \u201cspeak to what is immediately practical in the context of a missing peace process when it comes to addressing challenges in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem,\u201d he noted, also underlining the importance of championing grassroot efforts that support conditions conducive to official negotiations.\u00a0 Affirming that the goal of Israel and Palestine living side by side within secure and recognized borders along 1979 lines will require commitment by all parties, notably to uphold resolution 2334\u00a0(2016), he said such a commitment by Israeli and Palestinian leaders will inject a much-needed hope and trust in the multilateral system.\u00a0 A united response, including ongoing regional efforts to revive intra-Palestinian reconciliation, also can help address the persistent spoilers of peace in the region.\u00a0 He urged armed and militia groups, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, to publicly renounce terrorist acts and genuinely commit to peace efforts facilitated by regional and international mechanisms.<\/p>\n
RAVINDRA RAGUTTAHALLI (India<\/u>) urged the parties to address urgent security and economic challenges, including the precarious financial situation of the Palestinian Authority.\u00a0 He reiterated the call for early resumption of the political course by launching credible direct negotiations on all final status issues, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians for statehood and Israel\u2019s legitimate security concerns.\u00a0 In response to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA financial crisis, India has increased its annual pledge from $1.25\u00a0million to $5\u00a0million, and contributed $20\u00a0million over the last four\u00a0years.\u00a0 Intra-Palestinian unity is critical for the well-being of the Palestinian people, he said, expressing hope that efforts to achieve reconciliation will help overcome the current stalemate, leading to legislative and Presidential elections.\u00a0 He said India has vital stakes in peace and prosperity in the Middle East, noting that the leaders of India, Israel, United Arab Emirates and the United States recently agreed to increase joint investment in six\u00a0key areas.\u00a0 Given the absence of a political settlement, the international community \u2014 in addition to political support for a two-State solution \u2014 must expend energies and political capital to reinvigorate the Middle East Peace Process.<\/p>\n
MONA JUUL (Norway<\/u>) said long-term solutions are needed to bring peace and prosperity to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.\u00a0\u00a0 A two-State solution \u2014 based on the 1967 lines \u2014 remains the only viable pathway to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\u00a0 She welcomed the United States\u2019 increased financial support to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, which delivers critical services to millions of vulnerable Palestine refugees, and the United States\u2019 extension of funding to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network, which Norway has long supported.\u00a0 While these are positive steps, it is important not to lose sight of the need for a comprehensive peace process that addresses the underlying drivers of conflict, she said, stressing the urgency of a political path with the ultimate goal of establishing a two-State solution.\u00a0 Noting the important mediation efforts to establish the maritime delimitation line between Israel and Lebanon, she encourages the Governments of both countries to swiftly come to a mutual, beneficial agreement.\u00a0 This should help solve the outstanding issues on the land border.\u00a0 She strongly opposed the use of any military means in and around the disputed areas, which could escalate to a new regional conflict.<\/p>\n
JUAN RAM\u00d3N DE LA FUENTE RAM\u00cdREZ (Mexico<\/u>) welcomed the recent conversation between the presidents of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, marking the first time in five\u00a0years that Israel\u2019s Head of Government had spoken with the leader of the Palestinian Authority.\u00a0 These are confidence-building measures, he said, noting that efforts to develop the Palestinian economy and people will lead to prosperity and security for Israelis.\u00a0 He called for progress in the political sphere to tackle the underlying causes of the conflict, underscoring the importance of organizing general elections in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and Gaza.\u00a0 It is also essential to resume peace negotiations, he said, voicing concern over evictions, the demolition of Palestinian properties, and more broadly, the financial situation of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵWRA, which is crucial for supplying basic services to millions of Palestinians.\u00a0 He condemned rocket attacks from Gaza to Israel\u2019s urban centres, expressing support the two-State solution.<\/p>\n
GENG SHUANG\u00a0<\/strong>(China<\/u>) said Israel\u2019s settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continue to \u201csqueeze the living space\u201d of the Palestinian people and undermine the Territory\u2019s contiguity, and he urged Israel to adhere to resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) and cease all settlement activities.\u00a0 As the security of Israel and Palestine are interdependent and indivisible, the two sides should find a way to live side by side in peace.\u00a0 \u201cSeeking absolute security by using one\u2019s advantageous position can only lead to a greater security dilemma,\u201d he emphasized.\u00a0 As the occupying Power, Israel should fulfil its obligations under international law to safeguard civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 He pointed out that the question of Palestine has dragged on for more than 70\u00a0years, stressing that \u201cpiecemeal crisis management is no substitute for a comprehensive, impartial solution\u201d.\u00a0 Therefore, he called on countries with influence over Israel and Palestine to play their due role in promoting the resumption of peace talks.<\/p>\nRONALDO COSTA FILHO (Brazil<\/u>), Council President for July, said intra-Palestinian reconciliation is a crucial step towards resuming genuine dialogue within the framework of the peace process.\u00a0 International cooperation aimed at restoring and improving basic infrastructure and economic empowerment of the Palestinian population can also improve the prospects for reconciliation.\u00a0 Noting that structural impediments imposed on the Palestinian economy must be addressed, he emphasized that fostering growth is one of the best ways to give peace a concrete meaning.\u00a0 Palestine has great economic potential in many sectors that can create job opportunities and raise family income.\u00a0 This means allowing Palestinian businesspeople to export their products to the world market, he added. \u00a0Stressing that confidence-building measures on both sides must continue, he commended the Israeli authorities’ recent measures aimed at building trust with the Palestinians, including increasing the quota of workers from the Gaza Strip and the opening of a new vehicular crossing on the north of the West Bank, as well as the measures to prevent the establishment of new outposts.<\/p>\n
AMAL MUDALLALI (Lebanon<\/u>) said the Jeddah Security and Development Summit and United States President Joe Biden\u2019s recent visit illustrated that the Palestinian issue is still central to any peace efforts in the region.\u00a0 However, daily Palestinian casualties are grim proof that the much-promised peace is still a pipe dream.\u00a0 While President Biden reaffirmed the United States commitment to a \u201ctwo-State solution on the 1967 lines with land swaps mutually agreed on by the Israelis and the Palestinians\u201d, he also said the \u201cground is not ripe\u201d for new attempts to reach peace.\u00a0 \u201cThe argument that the ground is not ripe for a peaceful settlement is as old as the peace process,\u201d she said, adding that \u201cthe ripeness theory\u201d allows for unilateral measures and facts on the ground to end the Palestinian dream of a State of their own.\u00a0 The key to peace in the region is by ending the occupation.<\/p>\n
Turning to Lebanon, she said Prime Minister Najib Mikati is working to form a new Government, with the aim of ensuring that presidential elections take place on time and in a safe and good atmosphere this fall.\u00a0 Affirming Lebanon\u2019s commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1701\u00a0(2006), she called on the other party to the conflict, Israel, to do the same.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s daily violations of Lebanese sovereignty must stop.\u00a0 Lebanon is committed to finding a peaceful solution to its maritime border, guaranteeing national rights to its gas and oil resources, and she urged the international community to help it achieve this goal.\u00a0 The mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon\u00a0(Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵIFIL) will be up for renewal in a month.\u00a0 The Force is indispensable for stability in south Lebanon in partnership with the army, and plays an important role in peace and security, she said, expressing hope that its mandate will be renewed without any change.<\/p>\n
ISHIKANE KIMIHIRO (Japan<\/u>), expressing deep concern over the violence in Israel and the West Bank, called for an independent and transparent investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh.\u00a0 He also condemned rocket fire by Palestinian militants in Gaza into Israel hours after United States President Joe Biden\u2019s visit.\u00a0 Underscoring that Israeli settlements in the West Bank flagrantly violate international law, he voiced hope that the evolving regional partnerships in the Middle East, such as the Negev Forum [Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, United States], will ease tensions and foster regional stability.\u00a0 In this context, Japan, Egypt and Jordan are working together through the Trilateral Consultations on the Middle East format to discuss regional peace and prosperity.\u00a0 Japan contributed more than $50\u00a0million to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA in 2021 and has already provided $28\u00a0million in 2022 to ensure the delivery of lifesaving services.\u00a0 Urging other donors to increase their contributions to the Agency, he affirmed Japan\u2019s determination to spare no effort to achieve a two-State solution.<\/p>\n
ZAHRA ERSHADI (Iran<\/u>) said the situation in occupied Palestine remains dire, as the Israeli regime\u2019s brutality and systematic violations of human rights continue unabated, with settlements continuing in blatant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.\u00a0 She cited the recent assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh, in line with Israel\u2019s well-documented campaign of harassment and violence against journalists, as well as the murder of 86\u00a0Palestinian children and imprisoning of 637\u00a0more in\u00a02021.\u00a0 Nearly 2\u00a0million Palestinians are \u201clocked\u201d in Gaza, she stressed \u2014 a collective punishment, with the continued blockade constituting a clear manifestation of a war crime and crime against humanity.\u00a0 Syria\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity are also violated through prolonged occupation of the Syrian Golan, including the recent terrorist attacks against Damascus International Airport.\u00a0 The Council\u2019s inaction has emboldened the Israeli regime, with the lack of accountability for serious violations contributing to its impunity.\u00a0 She further cited the Israeli representative\u2019s abuse of the forum with false accusations against her country, all of which are categorically rejected \u2014 and intended to distract attention from the continuous atrocities and violation of international law.\u00a0 Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Israeli regime endanger the entire region, as it has even threatened nuclear annihilation of some States and refused to adhere to any weapons of mass destruction disarmament or control regimes, requiring the Council to condemn it.<\/p>\n
MOHAMED ENNADIR LARBAOUI (Algeria<\/u>) said the Council\u2019s repeated meetings with similar outcomes are never up to par with the sacrifice and suffering of the Palestinian people.\u00a0 For years, the Council has adopted an approach that has led to the management of conflicts and the containment of a temporary violent conflict, rather than finding necessary solution that would end the occupation and provide Palestinians an avenue for pursuing statehood.\u00a0 The occupation persists in Israel\u2019s settlement polices and systemic actions that impose the status quo, exposing the region to conflict.\u00a0 He criticized the expansion of settlements in Arab communities, stressing that the residents of Jerusalem are transferred and detained while Arab institutions are closed and destroyed.\u00a0 For its part, Algeria continues to support the Palestinian people politically, financially and in all manners.\u00a0 The international community and Council must shoulder the responsibility to end to all violations against the Palestinian people, he said, noting that a political and peaceful option is the only way to settle issues at hand.<\/p>\n
OMAR HILALE (Morocco<\/u>) expressed regret over the increase in violence, extremism and hate speech, leading to further tension and widening the gap between Palestine and Israel, calling for avoidance of escalation in the region.\u00a0 He noted that on 3\u00a0March 2019, Morocco\u2019s King Mohammed VI and Pope Francis had jointly stressed the need to preserve the sacred city of Jerusalem as a heritage for humanity at large, preserving its historic nature as the destination for all three Abrahamic religions.\u00a0 He called on all Palestinians, and residents of Jerusalem in particular, to work on harmonizing the King\u2019s political efforts.\u00a0 He noted the Moroccan leader had mediated the Israeli opening of the Allenby\/King Hussein border crossing linking the West Bank to Jordan \u2014 the only access to the world for Palestinians, which will facilitate the movement of people and goods.\u00a0 The Palestinian question is central for the Middle East and the stability of the region, he stressed, and Morocco\u2019s position proceeds from a strong belief in diplomatic efforts.\u00a0 He underscored that his delegation will continue to invest in its historic role and unique relationship with all parties to build an environment conducive towards resuming negotiations.<\/p>\n
SUDQI ATALLAH ABD ALKADETR AL OMOUSH (Jordan<\/u>) said that there can be no security, stability or prosperity in the region without a solution that guarantees the building of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.\u00a0 Rejecting unilateral measures that undermine the prospect of such a solution, he underscored the need to respect the legal and historic status of Jerusalem and holy sites.\u00a0 As the occupying Power, Israel bears responsibility for what happens in that city, and he expressed concern over continued disregard for the status of holy sites in Jerusalem \u2014 particularly that of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is under Jordanian custodianship.\u00a0 Reiterating that the Islamic Waqf administration \u2013 Department of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs \u2014 is the only administration that has international power and authority over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, he stressed that Israel, to preserve calm, must respect the historic status of the compound and other sites.\u00a0 He added support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, as its continued efforts to provide necessary services are particularly important for the rights of return and redress.<\/p>\n
BASSAM SABBAGH (Syria<\/u>), recounting various instances of Israeli aggression, said the Arab people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and occupied Syrian Golan are subjected to aggressive practices by Israeli occupation forces in clear violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and Council resolutions.\u00a0 Israel continues its endeavours to entrench its occupation of the Syrian Golan and prolong it through the confiscation of more Syrian property and land and stealing of natural resources, while implementing settlement projects and other illegitimate measures.\u00a0 He called on the Council to end its silence and urgently shoulder its responsibility to end the Israeli occupation of Arab land and hold its authorities accountable for its violations and practices.\u00a0 He underscored his country\u2019s right to restore the entire occupied Syrian Golan according to international law, adding that it is a right not governed by any statute of limitations.\u00a0 All measures undertaken by Israeli authorities to annex the Golan or alter its legal or demographic nature or impose any laws, authority or administration upon it are null and void and have no legal impact pursuant to international law, he said.<\/p>\n
HEBA MOSTAFA MOSTAFA RIZK (Egypt<\/u>), associating herself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said the suffering of the Palestinian people continues with violations committed by Israeli occupation forces with no end in sight.\u00a0 Israeli practices in the West Bank including East Jerusalem have increased in recent years, including actions by settlers against unarmed people, undermining a two-State solution.\u00a0 Live bullets have been used against civilians, leaving hundreds of martyrs, without any accountability for the perpetrators.\u00a0 Noting the 15-year blockade of Gaza, with all attendant repercussions on daily life, the status quo cannot continue.\u00a0 She welcomed the additional assistance of the United States, and measures to enhance Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA funding on 23\u00a0June, with $160\u00a0million in new pledges.\u00a0 Egypt\u2019s President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi believes that Palestine is the primary Arab question, she said, but stressed that Ms.\u00a0Hastings\u2019 briefing was incorrect on the Salah al-Din crossing, as there is only one\u00a0crossing:\u00a0 the Rafah border crossing.\u00a0 On Libya, she noted Egypt has worked to reach an agreement for elections delayed since 2021, voicing hope that the international community will shoulder its responsibilities and encourage all parties to work towards progress.\u00a0 Stressing the need for concerted effort to maintain the ceasefire in Libya, she called for efforts to resolve the Yemen crisis to end that country\u2019s suffering and affirm its territorial integrity.<\/p>\n
THIBAULT CAMELLI, of the\u00a0European Union<\/u>, in its capacity as an observer, voiced concern over illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, violence against civilians committed by all parties, terror attacks and increasing demolitions and evictions, which severely threaten the two-State solution.\u00a0 Stressing that the use of force must be proportionate and in line with international law, he called for an investigation into the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while covering an Israeli security operation in the occupied West Bank.\u00a0 He called for a halt to illegal settlement building, as well as upholding the 1967 status quo for the Temple Mount\/Haram al-Sharif, in line with previous understandings and with respect to Jordan’s special role.\u00a0 Until a just, fair, agreed and realistic solution to the refugee issue is found, in accordance with international law, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA remains crucial for providing protection and essential services for Palestine refugees.<\/p>\n
Turning to Syria, he said a durable solution to the conflict requires a genuine and inclusive political transition with full, equal and meaningful participation of women in line with resolution 2254\u00a0(2015) and the 2012 Geneva Communiqu\u00e9.\u00a0 He reiterated the Union\u2019s call to have the situation in Syria referred to the International Criminal Court.\u00a0 In the absence of international justice, the prosecution of war crimes under national jurisdiction is now underway in several European member States.\u00a0 In addition, the Netherlands and Canada are engaged in an important initiative to hold Syria to account for breaching the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.\u00a0 Meanwhile, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s security concerns should be addressed through political and diplomatic means, he said, expressing alarm over the announcement of another military operation in northern Syria and urging restraint.\u00a0 The European Union pledged \u20ac4.8\u00a0billion of the total \u20ac6.4\u00a0billion pledged for 2022 and beyond at the recent Brussels Conference, he added.<\/p>\n
MÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵIR AKRAM (Pakistan<\/u>) said he was deeply concerned over the deteriorating situation in occupied Jerusalem and condemned the continued killing and wounding of Palestinian civilians, destruction of Palestinian homes, and murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. \u00a0Palestinians have a right to self-determination and an independent State. \u00a0There is no question that Israel\u2019s actions in the occupied Palestinian lands, such as the expansion of settlements and blockade of Gaza, are grave violations of Council resolutions and international law, including international humanitarian law. \u00a0The two-State solution, with two\u00a0States living side by side, offers the only way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he said, expressing regret that the Council has failed to reassert the principles of international law or revive the process towards that end. \u00a0The \u201cfestering wound\u201d of the Palestinian question is the principal source of instability in the region, he asserted.<\/p>\n
\u00d6NC\u00dc KE\u00c7ELI (T\u00fcrkiye<\/u>) expressed concern over the lack of progress in the situation, but also the lack of interest from the international community in finding a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the longest-enduring issue on the Council agenda.\u00a0 The status quo is unsustainable, with illegal settlements, forced evictions, excessive use of force, the blockade of Gaza, attempts to undermine the status of Jerusalem and other unilateral actions curtailing the fundamental rights and freedoms of Palestinians.\u00a0 The establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine along the lines of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is the only viable solution.\u00a0 He called for an urgent return to the path of diplomacy, with members of the Quartet holding a special responsibility, and the United Nations playing a critical role.\u00a0 As a member of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA Advisory Commission, his delegation welcomed the support at the Pledging Conference, but called on the international community to match that with predictable and sustained financing, given the Agency\u2019s financing gap of $100\u00a0million.<\/p>\n
MAGED ABDELFATTAH ABDELAZIZ, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0League of Arab States<\/u>, said that the Council should block any attempt to transform the principle of \u201cland for peace\u201d into \u201cpeace for peace\u201d, as well as any attempt by Israel to push back the creation of an independent Palestinian State or to expand the circle of peace between itself and Arab States without making real progress on building such a State.\u00a0 Direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations must be enabled to make progress on crucial issues \u2014 particularly that of land, but also questions relating to security, water, refugees and Jerusalem.\u00a0 Noting that the question of Jerusalem is a leading one \u2014 both for the Palestinian people and for those who follow the three monotheistic religions \u2014 he called on the Council to protect the Palestinian people from Israel\u2019s ongoing violations that prevent the faithful from visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.<\/p>\n
Noting that Israel continues to build settlements that prevent the implementation of a two-State solution, he also urged the Council to take \u201cbrave measures\u201d to oblige Israel to respect international law.\u00a0 Further, Israel must be held accountable, and the Council should lead an international, independent investigation into the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh.\u00a0 Additionally, the Council should act to stop Israel\u2019s violations of the rights of Palestinian youth and women, which hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and result in a lack of hope for a new generation of Palestinians.\u00a0 While the Palestinian cause has been long neglected and has become the victim of conflict between superpowers, he underscored the need to breathe new life into the Middle East peace process.<\/p>\n
JOAQU\u00cdN ALBERTO P\u00c9REZ AYESTAR\u00c1N (Venezuela<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said the deliberate policy of Israeli occupying forces, which aims to bring about suffering for Palestinian civilians and fragment the Palestinian territories, jeopardizes the possibility of achieving a fair and lasting peace in the region. \u00a0The finding of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, confirms that the lack of accountability allows the occupying Power to pursue its brutal aggression, and its policy of settler occupation and apartheid, and to carry out crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people, among other actions. \u00a0The international impunity granted by one of the Council\u2019s permanent members only encourages Israel to continue its daily criminal practices and policies. \u00a0As an important first step towards accountability, he welcomed the potential inclusion of the United States’ partner, Israel, on the list of perpetrators of violations against children, should there be no notable improvement in the situation and should the indiscriminate attacks against that vulnerable group persist.<\/p>\n
YURI ARIEL GALA L\u00d3PEZ (Cuba<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, maintained solidarity with the just cause of the Palestinian people. \u00a0He expressed deep concern that tensions have risen as violations of human rights \u2014 among them detentions and the imprisonment of civilians, including children \u2014 have increased. \u00a0He noted Israel\u2019s annexation policy is continuing as illegal settlements are increasing and more Palestinian families are being displaced. \u00a0Despite repeated calls by many international bodies, the Council has not adopted measures to end Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and military aggression, he said, stressing that the right of refugees to return must be upheld. \u00a0The United States has repeatedly blocked Council action and prevented it from fulfilling its responsibility under the Charter. It has hampered broad, fair and lasting solutions to conflict and guaranteed Israeli impunity. \u00a0He condemned the unilateral decision of the United States to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Syrian Golan, stressing that they are serious violations of international law and relevant Council resolutions. He called on Israel to withdraw from the Syrian Golan and all occupied territories.<\/p>\n
MOHD HAFIZ BIN OTHMAN (Malaysia<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said despite commitments by the Council and the international community to a two-State solution, the Palestinians\u2019 right to hold full membership status in the United Nations has been denied.\u00a0 Israel practices extrajudicial killings, torture and killing of children, collective punishment, settlement expansion and evictions, its systematic oppression being tantamount to the crimes of Apartheid \u2014 as confirmed by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. \u00a0He urged the Quartet to coordinate talks, stressing that all conflicts must be resolved peacefully \u2014 but despite the Council\u2019s obligation to maintain international peace and security, it has not accorded that to the Palestinians\u2019 decades-long struggle.\u00a0 It is high time for accountability, he stated, calling for Member States to urgently apply Council resolutions to end the foreign occupation by Israel and work towards a peaceful solution to the conflict.<\/p>\n
MOHAMMED ABDULAZIZ H. ALATEEK (Saudi Arabia<\/u>) said his country is committed to ending the occupation, establishing an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital and guaranteeing the right of return for Palestinian refugees.\u00a0 He stressed that this position will not change even if Saudi Arabia allows the crossing of international flights over its air space, as this decision was made in line with international obligations and \u201cwill not be a prelude to other steps\u201d.\u00a0 He went on to say that regional and international cooperation must be strengthened to respond to common challenges \u2014 like the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflict \u2014 and recalled that Saudi Arabia hosted the Jeddah Security and Development Summit on 16\u00a0June.\u00a0 Noting that the Summit\u2019s outcomes were welcomed at the regional and international levels, he added that Houthi militias must stop exploiting the suffering of Yemeni civilians, that the Arab Gulf region must be kept free of weapons of mass destruction and that some countries in the region must cease funding and arming terrorist groups.<\/p>\n
XOLISA MABHONGO (South Africa<\/u>) said the Security Council\u2019s inability to act against Israel, despite its willingness to act decisively on other issues, illustrates the persistent double standards and inconsistency in its work, perpetuating the Council\u2019s failure to hold the occupier accountable for its violations of international law and Council resolutions. \u00a0Voicing concern about the escalation in settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories and the continuous advancement of illegal activities by Israeli settlers, he said Israel\u2019s imposition of an apartheid system debilitates any prospect of establishing an independent Palestinian State. \u00a0Citing the Secretary-General\u2019s recent report on children and armed conflict, he said action must be taken to include Israel and other groups as listed parties, should they not put in place measures to prevent violations and improve the protection of children. \u00a0The international community cannot stand idle and deny the Palestinian youth their right to a prosperous future, he emphasized, calling for reinvigorated action to find new solutions to address the challenges facing the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n
ARRMANATHA C. NASIR, Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, said Israel\u2019s settlement expansion and land confiscation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, constitute grave breaches of international law and United Nations resolutions.\u00a0 He expressed concern over developments in Masafer Yatta, which risk forcibly displacing over 1,200\u00a0Palestinians, including a large number of women and at least 580\u00a0children \u2014 the largest forcible expulsion of Palestinians since 1967.\u00a0 The Council must clearly and firmly reiterate its demands that Israel immediately end all settlement expansions, demolitions, confiscations of Palestinian property and the forcible removal of civilians, in compliance with international law and United Nations resolutions, including resolution 2334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 He condemned the indiscriminate killing and excessive use of lethal force against civilians, particularly children, which are all too frequent and for which no one is held accountable. \u00a0Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, and protect Palestinian children caught in the conflict.<\/p>\n
Welcoming the preliminary investigation by the High Commissioner for Human Rights into the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, he urged Israel to bring those responsible to justice. \u00a0He condemned the nine\u00a0member States of the European Union that pledged to continue working with the six\u00a0Palestinian civil society groups which Israel labelled as terrorist organizations in October 2021 in the absence of any substantial information to support that allegation, further lauding the commitments made at the recent United Nations Pledging Conference. \u00a0He agreed with the June 2022 findings of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is the primary root cause of the recurrent tension, instability and conflict in the region. \u00a0He urged the Council to resolve the question of Palestine through a two-State solution, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine, living alongside Israel in peace and security.<\/p>\n
GABRIELE CACCIA, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0Holy See<\/u>, recalling the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Catholic journalist killed in the exercise of her profession in Jenin, condemned the behaviour of the Israeli police during the events that occurred at the Catholic Hospital of Saint Joseph in Jerusalem before her funeral. \u00a0Regarding the heightened tensions around the holy places in Jerusalem, he appealed to all parties to maintain the historic status quo within the holy city and rejected any unilateral measures aimed at changing it, including attempts to alter its multicultural and multireligious character, \u201cwhich is dear to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike\u201d.\u00a0 Turning to the wider Middle East, he welcomed the six-month renewal of the Syrian cross-border mechanism but added that a longer extension allowing aid organizations to better plan deliveries would have been preferred. \u00a0He also welcomed the extension of the current truce in Yemen, expressing hope that the ceasefire can pave the way toward lasting peace.\u00a0 However, in both Syria and Yemen, he voiced concern on the issue of overcompliance with sanctions, in which banks place burdensome requirements on aid organizations or even refuse to do business with them altogether out of fear of punishment, despite the existence of humanitarian exemptions. \u00a0He encouraged all States implementing sanctions to provide precise guidance on permitted activities to financial institutions so that the flow of humanitarian assistance is not impeded.<\/p>\n
MANSOUR AYYAD SH. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait<\/u>) called on the international community, especially the Security Council, to ensure that Israeli forces are held responsible for their provocations and hostile practices, whether against the unarmed Palestinian people or its sacred lands. \u00a0The international community must intensify efforts to bring back calm and focus on reviving the peace process in the Middle East.\u00a0 Israeli policies and practices show that what Israel really seeks is to entrench occupation, not a just and comprehensive agreement, he said, noting that impunity and lack of accountability will protract the conflict and reduce the possibility of achieving sustainable peace and security. \u00a0He condemned the heinous assassination by the Israeli occupation forces of the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while carrying out her job covering crimes against the Palestinian people last May in Jenin camp, emphasizing that that crime requires an independent, transparent and international investigation to determine and prosecute those responsible. \u00a0He called on the international community to continue to assist Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵWRA so that the Agency can deliver healthcare, education and relief aid.<\/p>\n
JASSIM SAYAR A. J. AL-MAAWDA (Qatar<\/u>) said the Middle East is suffering from a dangerous crisis and decades-long challenges as it also faces the pandemic and environmental concerns. \u00a0The international community must find permanent solutions to end the suffering of millions of people. \u00a0Noting that Qatar provides humanitarian assistance and supports United Nations efforts, he said the Palestinian question is the central and oldest question in the region, having existed for more than seven\u00a0decades. \u00a0Israel must cease all settlement activities and give Palestinians the freedom to exercise their right to self-determination. \u00a0Jerusalem has a special status and is home to Holy sites. \u00a0Qatar condemns, in the strongest terms, the assassination of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while carrying out her functions and wearing a press jacket, he said, calling for an immediate and transparent investigation. \u00a0It is time for the international community to protect the holy sites and uphold all relevant Council resolutions, including resolution 2334\u00a0(2016). \u00a0He said Qatar\u2019s latest contribution to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA for 2021 and 2022 totalled $18\u00a0million.<\/p>\n
MOHAMMAD K. KOBA (Indonesia<\/u>) said the Council must place accountability measures immediately to assure that Israel stops and reverses its settlement policies; its siege of the Gaza Strip; and the forced transfer of the Palestinian population in Jerusalem, Masafer Yatta and the Jordan Valley, among others.\u00a0 The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People recently convened a virtual conference, “Palestinian Youth in East Jerusalem under Occupation” identity and resilience in East Jerusalem and empowering youth to promote change\u201d.\u00a0 However, there will be neither change nor a future for Palestinian children as they often bear the cost of ongoing conflict with the indiscriminate killing and excessive use of lethal force against civilians.\u00a0 The Council must make protection of civilians a priority, in light of constant violations of international law and numerous relevant United Nations resolutions, including resolution 2334\u00a0(2016). \u00a0While it is essential to take immediate steps to lower the tensions that undermined peaceful solutions, he emphasized that \u201cit is not enough\u2026 and it never will be.\u201d\u00a0 A comprehensive political process is the only way to end the illegal occupation of the Palestinian land and oppression of the Palestinian people by Israel.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s our responsibility to keep the light on the ongoing effort of the international consensus based on two States, Israel and the State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders that we have all long sought,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
MD MONWAR HOSSAIN (Bangladesh<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, stressed that 2021 was the deadliest year for Palestinians since 2014, with 324\u00a0killed, including 86\u00a0children.\u00a0 The intensity of military atrocities, attacks by settlers and demolition of homes have been aggravated by Israeli forces in the first half of 2022.\u00a0 He also noted further encroachment and extraction of resources from Palestinian lands, among other illegal actions that seriously hinder economic activities and thereby worsen the humanitarian situation.\u00a0 The recent report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry indicates Israel has no intention of ending the occupation, with despair worsening among Palestinians and a paralyzed peace process.\u00a0 The Council must demand an end to all provocations by Israel, which must be held accountable for violations tantamount to war crimes.\u00a0 He noted the High Commissioner for Human Rights has highlighted the brutality of Israeli forces towards children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, calling for urgent action to protect them.<\/p>\n
HATEM ABDULHAMEED MOHAMED SHARIF HATEM (Bahrain<\/u>) pointed out that, while the Middle East occupies an important strategic location, it has suffered from economic and security challenges for years that threaten to undermine both regional stability and international peace and security.\u00a0 Against that backdrop, the international community should demonstrate solidarity and coordinate efforts to find solutions to these conflicts and crises.\u00a0 The Jeddah Security and Development Summit was held in this context with the participation of leaders of countries in the region.\u00a0 He went on to reiterate the importance of pooling efforts to end interference in the internal affairs of other States, to respect the religious and cultural values of different countries and to fight against extremism.\u00a0 He also reiterated Bahrain\u2019s commitment to work as a partner to establish security and stability in the region so that people living therein can enjoy peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n
Ms.\u00a0MEHDIYEVA (Azerbaijan<\/u>), speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said the ongoing historic injustice, with the nearly 55-year Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and other Arab territories, continues to pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. \u00a0\u201cFor too long the Council has been unable to fulfil its mandate on this important question due to the use of the veto by one permanent member,\u201d she stressed, calling on the 15-member organ to overcome its paralysis on the Palestine question. \u00a0Council resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) provides the most effective and viable path to peace, setting forth the essential requirements and parameters for the realization of a just outcome on the basis of a two-State solution in line with the 4\u00a0June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, she added. \u00a0Actions that violate Council resolutions and the historic and legal status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites destroy the prospects for peace and should not be supported by anyone.<\/p>\n
She went on to state that threats of annexation by Israeli officials and continued settlement activities and forced displacement of Palestinian families from their homes and lands must be unequivocally condemned. \u00a0She called for the complete lifting of the illegal Israeli blockade, which continues to impose untold humanitarian, social and economic suffering on more than 2\u00a0million Palestinian children, women and men in Gaza. \u00a0In the absence of a just solution, her bloc calls for the continued provision of the necessary humanitarian and socioeconomic assistance to the Palestinian people, including Palestine refugees, noting the importance of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵWRA\u2019s work in that regard. \u00a0Voicing concern about the lack of accountability for all violations committed by Israel, she called for international action, particularly by the Council, to ensure a cessation of, and accountability for, Israel\u2019s systematic violations against the Palestinian civilian population under its occupation. \u00a0She also urged Israel to abide by Council resolution 497\u00a0(1981) and fully withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan to its 4\u00a0June 1967 borders.<\/p>\n
MAR\u00cdA DEL CARMEN SQUEFF (Argentina<\/u>) said the only way to a solution is through negotiations. \u00a0She advocated for a peaceful and definite agreement based on a two-State solution and relevant Council resolutions, reaffirming support for Palestine to be a State recognized by all nations and for Israel to live within safe borders.\u00a0 She expressed concern over the growth in Israeli settlements, as they contravene international law and hamper peace. \u00a0The seriousness of this situation is recognized by Council resolutions, particularly resolution 2334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 Israel\u2019s actions must respect its obligations under international humanitarian law. \u00a0She rejected any unilateral attempts to change the status of Jerusalem, which is an issue whose final status must be decided in negotiations. \u00a0Expressing full support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA, she said the international community must come up with solutions for funding the Agency.<\/p>\n
AMINA KADER, speaking on behalf of the\u00a0Organization of Islamic Cooperation<\/u>\u00a0(OIC), condemned Israel\u2019s intricate system of Apartheid, colonization, racism and occupation, as outlined in many United Nations documents.\u00a0 She expressed deep concern over that State\u2019s ongoing violations against the occupied city of Jerusalem, its citizens, and holy sites, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque\/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, Israel\u2019s illegal colonial settlement policy \u2014 which has intensified around Jerusalem \u2014 the blockade on Gaza Strip, and the inhumane situation experienced by Palestinian prisoners, which in many cases amount to war crimes.\u00a0 She recalled the report issued by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which indicated that \u201cIsrael has no intention of ending the occupation, has clear policies for ensuring complete control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and is acting to alter the demography through the maintenance of a repressive environment for Palestinians and a favourable environment for Israeli settlers\u201d.<\/p>\n
The report highlighted that Israel\u2019s impunity is feeding increased resentment among the Palestinian people, fuelling recurrent tensions, instability and protraction of conflict and an endless cycle of violence.\u00a0 She condemned the heinous assassination by Israeli occupation forces of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while was on duty reporting facts and documenting crimes. \u00a0Among other violations, she said reports have documented the killing and wounding of hundreds of Palestinian citizens in the second quarter of\u00a02022, citing an \u201caccountability deficit\u201d towards Israeli crimes that encourage further abuses, while victims and their families are denied justice.\u00a0 Calling upon the Council to uphold its responsibility to ensure Israel’s full compliance with the provisions of international law and resolution 2334\u00a0(2016), she reiterated full support for the Palestinian people in their inalienable rights \u2014 including their right to return, and to establishment of the State of Palestine with full sovereignty and independence on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.<\/p>\n
PYO JISU (Republic of Korea<\/u>) said the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem must be respected, expressing concern over Israel\u2019s unilateral actions.\u00a0 Particularly, the settlement plans in the E-1 and E-2 areas in the West Bank, which may precipitate the territorial and geographical disconnection of a future independent State of Palestine, must not be advanced.\u00a0 It is also very alarming that violent incidents both in Israel and Palestine have increased.\u00a0 No terrorist attacks can be justified, and any form of violence against civilians must stop. \u00a0She echoed the Secretary-General\u2019s statement calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. \u00a0She further voiced concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip due to food and energy price hikes.\u00a0 Noting the role of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵRWA is now more critical than ever, particularly in the areas of health and education, she affirmed the Republic of Korea will remain steadfast in supporting the Agency through financial contributions.<\/p>\n
For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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