{"id":130289,"date":"2018-03-26T21:47:28","date_gmt":"2018-03-26T21:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=130289"},"modified":"2020-07-22T00:53:49","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T04:53:49","slug":"settlement-expansion-jerusalem-embassy-decision-eroding-prospects-for-peace-special-coordinator-tells-security-council-press-release","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/settlement-expansion-jerusalem-embassy-decision-eroding-prospects-for-peace-special-coordinator-tells-security-council-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Settlement Expansion, Jerusalem Embassy Decision Eroding Prospects for Peace, Special Coordinator Tells Security Council – Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"

8214TH MEETING (AM)<\/strong>
\nSC\/13263<\/strong>
\n26 MARCH 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

fran\u00e7ais <\/a><\/p>\n

video<\/a><\/p>\n

Developments on the ground could not be divorced from a backdrop of continued military occupation, regional turmoil and unilateral actions, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council today, expressing concern about actions that undermined peace.<\/p>\n

Presenting the fifth report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334<\/a>\u00a0(2016), Nickolay Mladenov said the reporting period had been characterized by a \u201cpersistent problem of violence\u201d, pointing to clashes after the United States\u2019 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital, as well as growing tensions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and along the Gaza fence.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Israel\u2019s settlement expansion continued to further threaten the viability of the two\u2011State solution and eroded prospects for peace, he said, adding that that country\u2019s decision to establish a new settlement for the second time since the adoption of resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) was particularly troubling.<\/p>\n

At the same time, provocative and inflammatory rhetoric on both sides was fuelling an already tense environment, he said, highlighting social media posts by Fatah that glorified perpetrators of past violence against Israeli civilians, as well as statements made by Israeli officials that encouraged the annexation of the occupied West Bank and categorically rejected the two\u2011State solution.<\/p>\n

Sounding the alarm on a $446\u00a0million funding gap, he urged Member States to provide additional funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA), which provided basic services to Palestine refugees, including schooling for half a million children.<\/p>\n

The representative of Kuwait said the main reason for the humanitarian tragedy faced by Palestinians was Israel\u2019s failure to shoulder its responsibilities, and its disregard for Council resolutions.\u00a0 He condemned unilateral measures which sought to create a new status quo and warned that reduced funding for UNRWA would lead to an acute humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the situation on the ground was discouraging, said the representative of Bolivia.\u00a0 Israeli settlement activity on the West Bank and in Jerusalem could constitute war crimes as well as a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.\u00a0 The humanitarian situation in Gaza was alarming, he added, calling on Member States to continue their support to UNRWA.<\/p>\n

Focusing on the road ahead, the representative of the United Kingdom said she supported peace efforts by the United States and looked forward to a plan being presented at the earliest opportunity.\u00a0 Echoing that sentiment, Equatorial Guinea\u2019s delegate said that his Government hoped that the United States initiative would lead to a tangible peace plan that would be acceptable to all.<\/p>\n

During the meeting, several Member States, including the United States, Kuwait and the United Kingdom, condemned the recent missile attack on cities in Saudi Arabia by Yemeni Houthis as a violation of international law.<\/p>\n

Also speaking today were representatives of C\u00f4te d’Ivoire and China.<\/p>\n

The meeting began at 10:06\u00a0a.m. and ended at 11:02\u00a0a.m.<\/p>\n

Briefing<\/u><\/p>\n

NICKOLAY MLADENOV, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, speaking via videoconference from Jerusalem, presented the fifth report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334<\/a>\u00a0(2016), covering the period from 18\u00a0December\u00a02017 to 25\u00a0March\u00a02018.\u00a0 Focusing on regional and international efforts to advance the peace process, he reiterated that developments on the ground could not be divorced from the broader context of the situation: \u00a0the continued military occupation of Palestinian territory, uncertainties about the future of the peace process and two\u2011State solution and unilateral actions that undermined peace efforts and continued turmoil in the wider region. \u00a0He expressed concern about United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA) $446\u00a0million funding shortfall.\u00a0 That gap needed to be bridged urgently to ensure that it could provide basic services to Palestine refugees, including schooling for half a million children across the Middle East.\u00a0 At the same time, he welcomed the approximately $100\u00a0million pledged at the recent extraordinary ministerial conference in Rome and encouraged Member States to urgently consider providing additional funding for the Agency\u2019s critical work.<\/p>\n

Recalling that Council resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) called on Israel to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he said that no such steps had been taken and stressed that such activities were a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace.\u00a0 Furthermore, the demolition of Palestinian\u2011owned structures by Israeli authorities continued across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, albeit at a relatively low rate.\u00a0 Particularly concerning was the demolition of two donor\u2011funded classrooms serving 26\u00a0children in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Abu Nuwar.\u00a0 Similarly, the Bedouin village of Umm al\u2011Hiran had come under renewed threat.\u00a0 In late\u00a02017, in the Massafer Yatta area of Hebron, Israel Defense Forces had blocked several access routes and issued a military order that had limited access to services and livelihoods to some 1,400\u00a0residents in 12\u00a0communities.<\/p>\n

Turning to the \u201cpersistent problem of violence\u201d, he said the reporting period was characterized by continuing clashes following the United States\u2019 announcement on 6\u00a0December recognizing Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital, as well as by growing tensions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and along the Gaza fence.\u00a0 Describing the concerning escalation of violence in and around the Gaza Strip, he said that improvised explosive devices placed by Palestinian militants near the fence had exploded on three occasions, wounding four Israeli soldiers in one incident on 17\u00a0February.\u00a0 On each occasion, Israeli forces responded with air strikes and shelling against Hamas targets.\u00a0 Meanwhile, 33\u00a0rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel, with 11\u00a0landing in the country.\u00a0 On 13\u00a0March, an improvised explosive device had detonated in Gaza, targeting the convoy of the Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and the Head of Intelligence, while on 22\u00a0March Hamas security forces conducted an operation reportedly targeting the chief suspect in the bombing.<\/p>\n

He noted that, despite the call in resolution 2234\u00a0(2016) for parties to refrain from acts of provocation and inflammatory rhetoric, such statements continued.\u00a0 Fatah\u2019s official social media pages continued to feature posts glorifying perpetrators of past violence against Israeli civilians, while Palestinian officials continued to make statements denying the historical and religious connection of Jews to Jerusalem and its holy sites.\u00a0 At the same time, Israeli officials had made provocative statements encouraging annexation of all or parts of the occupied West Bank and categorically rejecting the two\u2011State solution, he said, before urging political leaders to refrain from provocative statements and actions that fuelled an already tense environment.<\/p>\n

Regarding calls in resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) for steps to be taken to reverse negative trends on the ground, he noted that the period had witnessed both positive and negative actions in that regard.\u00a0 After years of negotiations, Israel had approved the operation of local Palestinian 3G\u00a0service in the West Bank, allowing Palestinian telecom companies to offer higher speed data services and improve their competitiveness.\u00a0 There had also been two high\u2011level meetings to discuss a range of economic and infrastructure issues concerning the West Bank and Gaza.\u00a0 On the other hand, the electricity supply remained far below needed and water desalination plans had been reduced to around 20\u00a0per\u00a0cent of working capacity.\u00a0 Thanks to United Nations distributed donor\u2011funded fuel for generators, basic services continued to function, albeit only until September\u00a02018 at best. \u00a0More than 40\u00a0per\u00a0cent of essential medicines had no stock due to a lack of funding.<\/p>\n

Concerning the resolution\u2019s call for States to distinguish between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since\u00a01967, he said there had been two developments on that front.\u00a0 First, the Parliament of Denmark had passed a resolution relating to Council resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) that urged that future agreements between that country and Israel clearly stated their inapplicability to occupied territory and encouraged the Government to strengthen its guidance to private and public investors.\u00a0 Moreover, the European Commission had signed a financing agreement with Israel allowing the latter\u2019s participation in the Joint Operational Programme \u201cMediterranean Sea Basin\u201d under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument Cross\u2011Border Cooperation Programme for 2014\u20112020.\u00a0 It included a territorial clause stating that the agreement should not apply to the geographic areas that came under the administration of the State of Israel after 5\u00a0June\u00a01967.\u00a0 Regrettably, the reporting period had seen no progress towards advancing the goal of a lasting peace, as called for in the resolution.<\/p>\n

In closing, Israel\u2019s settlement expansion and related activities continued to further threaten the viability of the two\u2011State solution and eroded prospects for peace, he said.\u00a0 The latest decision to establish a new settlement for the second time since the adoption of resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) was particularly troubling.\u00a0 In addition, Palestinian development remained extremely restricted.\u00a0 Less than 1\u00a0per\u00a0cent of Area\u00a0C was available for Palestinian construction under approved plans.<\/p>\n

Violence and incitement continued to fuel hatred, division, distrust and fear, he continued. \u00a0Terror attacks on Israelis and the attempt on the life of Palestinian Prime Minister illustrated the growing risk of destabilization and the empowerment of radicals and extremists.\u00a0 The use of force by Israel must be calibrated and the country must uphold its responsibilities under international human rights and humanitarian law.\u00a0 Lethal force should only be used as a last resort, he said, urging the security forces to exercise maximum restraint.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead to Palestinian plans for a march on the Gaza fence on 30\u00a0March, he called on all sides to take steps to avoid a violent escalation.\u00a0 He then reiterated his call to Hamas to provide full information on the two Israeli soldiers and two civilians being held in Gaza, as required by international humanitarian law.\u00a0 Steps taken on the ground in Gaza were welcome, but far from transformative.\u00a0 Economic development was no substitute for sovereignty and statehood. \u00a0Efforts aimed at achieving both must proceed in parallel.<\/p>\n

Overall, he remained greatly concerned by the state of collective efforts to advance peace.\u00a0 Long\u2011held international consensus positions on final status issues, including on Jerusalem and refugees, must remain the guiding framework of a negotiated process towards the ultimate goal of a two-State solution.\u00a0 Any deviation from those principles would be dangerous, he warned.<\/p>\n

Statements<\/u><\/p>\n

ANATOLIO NDONG MBA (Equatorial Guinea<\/u>) said the Palestinian question had never stopped being the epicentre of instability in the Middle East ever since it was put on the agenda of the General Assembly in\u00a01947.\u00a0 Currently, some trends on the ground threatened to put the possibility of a two\u2011State solution further out of reach.\u00a0 One could not deny Israel\u2019s right to exist, nor could one deny the Palestinians\u2019 right to exist.\u00a0 Violence must stop and parties to the conflict must refrain from unilateral actions that would make a return to negotiations difficult.\u00a0 Reunification of the Palestinian territories would facilitate mediation efforts.\u00a0 Now, more than ever, the Security Council and the entire international community must stand united in their desire for a peaceful solution, he said, adding that his Government hoped that the United States\u2019 initiative would lead to a tangible peace plan that would be acceptable to all.<\/p>\n

PEDRO LUIS INCHAUSTE JORD\u00c1N (Bolivia<\/u>) said the situation on the ground was discouraging, with Israel failing to comply with Council and Assembly resolutions.\u00a0 He requested that reports from the Secretary\u2011General on resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) include, among other things, updated maps of Israeli settlements.\u00a0 Israeli settlement activity on the West Bank and in Jerusalem could constitute war crimes as well as a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and other norms of international law.\u00a0 Turning to Gaza, he said the humanitarian situation there was alarming, and called on Member States to continue their support to UNRWA.\u00a0 He called for intra\u2011Palestinian unity and condemned the 13\u00a0March attempt on the life of the Palestine Prime Minister.<\/p>\n

KOFFI NARCISSE DATE (C<\/u>\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/u>), expressing concern over a lack of progress in the Middle East peace process, called for a resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinians, in line with relevant Council resolutions.\u00a0 C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire also encouraged the Palestinian Authority and Hamas to pursue dialogue.\u00a0 He thanked Member States for the solidarity they displayed at the 15\u00a0March extraordinary ministerial conference in Rome where some $100\u00a0million was pledged for UNRWA.<\/p>\n

MANSOUR AYYAD SH. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait<\/u>) said the main reason for the humanitarian tragedy faced by Palestinians was Israel\u2019s failure to shoulder its responsibilities, and its disregard for Council resolutions.\u00a0 That only fuelled tensions, he said, condemning unilateral measures which sought to change the situation on the ground and create a new status quo.\u00a0 Going forward, he asked that the Secretary\u2011General provide a written report on the implementation of resolution 2334\u00a0(2016), and warned that reduced funding for UNRWA would lead to an acute humanitarian crisis.\u00a0 He conveyed his country\u2019s condemnation of a missile attack on Riyadh and other Saudi cities, describing it as a violation by Houthis of international law and Council resolutions as well as international efforts to end the conflict in Yemen. \u00a0The international community must be united in condemning that attack, he said.<\/p>\n

KAREN PIERCE (United Kingdom<\/u>) said it was vital to improve the situation in the Occupied Palestinian territories.\u00a0 Her country supported the United States\u2019 peace efforts and looked forward to a plan being presented at the earliest opportunity. \u00a0Regarding the attacks on cities in Saudi Arabia, she said they coincided with the third anniversary of the conflict in Yemen.\u00a0 They were dangerous and provocative and did nothing to help resolve the conflict in that country.\u00a0 They were also a violation of international law.<\/p>\n

WALTER MILLER (United States<\/u>) also condemned the Houthi missile attack, saying it was deeply destabilizing.\u00a0 The United States had warned of such an attack, he said, calling on all parties, including the Houthi, to return to political negotiations and move towards ending the war in Yemen.<\/p>\n

WU HAITAO (China<\/u>) said the question of Palestine was at the core of the Middle East issue. \u00a0With the increasing construction of settlements, the situation was tense and the humanitarian situation in Gaza was particularly dire. \u00a0He called on the international community to remain united to advance the issue, saying that the two\u2011State solution was the only way out. \u00a0Increased efforts were needed to advance negotiations, and settlement building activities in the occupied territories must come to an end, he said, adding that restraint was needed for the resumption of dialogue.\u00a0 For its part, China supported the peace process and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State, based on 1967\u00a0borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, and would continue to play a constructive role on the issue. \u00a0He encouraged all parties to uphold fairness and justice and follow principles of peaceful coexistence. \u00a0Concerning the humanitarian crisis in the occupied territories, he welcomed the extraordinary ministerial conference held in Rome.<\/p>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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