Authorization of Nine Settlements in OPT – 13 Feb. 2023 Daily Press Briefing by Spokesman for Secretary-General – (Excerpts)

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

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Middle East

I’ve been asked by some of your colleagues before the briefing about the announcement made by the security cabinet in Israel regarding settlements, and I can tell you that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned by yesterday’s announcement by the Israeli Security Cabinet that it has decided to authorize nine settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank.  If these measures are implemented, they would further undermine prospects for a viable two-State solution.  He reiterates that all settlements are illegal under international law and a substantial obstacle to peace.  He calls for unilateral actions that erode the prospects for a political solution on the basis of United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements to stop.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  In February, Mr. [Tor] Wennesland issued a statement condemning killing of a six-year-old Israeli boy.  Today, a sniper, an Israeli sniper killed a young Palestinian in Jenin.  His name is Qusai Radwan Yousef Waked.  I sent you, I sent Farhan Haq the statement about his killing from children… for protection of children, organization for protection of children.  Would he issue similar statement, using the word “condemn”, killing of young Palestinian by a sniper at the distance of 550 meters?

Spokesman:  Too many times, and we’re seeing it more and more, is a growing number of civilians, including women and children, who have been killed in this spiral of violence.  Mr. Wennesland, I think, has been very clear, and we continue to be not only deeply disturbed but saddened by all of this.  What is important is that all concerned parties take immediate steps to reduce tensions and break this deadly cycle.

Iftikhar?

Question:  Thank you Steph, all questions about the big earthquake have been asked so, therefore, I ask you, I mean, I refer you to your statement that you read out about Israeli Security Cabinet’s decision to create more settlements.  Every time Israel makes this, creates more settlements, the same statement is issued that it erodes the prospects of a two-State solution, but does it now pose a threat to international peace and security?

Spokesman:  You know, the Secretary-General through his various representatives reports regularly back to the Security Council on the issue of Israel and Palestine, which is on the topic of those… one of the topics that Security Council regularly discusses.  I really don’t have anything to add to what we’ve already said on the issue and have said quite a number of times, I might add.

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For information media. Not an official record.