Security Council – Work assessment under the United States presidency (April 2012) – Letter from the United States (excerpts)

Letter dated 30 August 2012 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

The United States held the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April 2012. An assessment of the work of the Council has been prepared under my supervision in consultation with the other members of the Council (see annex).

I should be grateful if the present letter and its annex could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Susan E. Rice

Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of the United States of America (April 2012)

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Middle East

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The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

During the Security Council open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” on 23 April, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs said that achieving peace for Israelis and Palestinians is “an undiminished priority”. He highlighted the Quartet meeting in Washington on 11 April and said the delivery of a letter from the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on 17 April was a positive step. Most Council members expressed support for the Quartet’s efforts and the letter from Mr. Abbas to Mr. Netanyahu as an opportunity to restart talks. Most Council members called Israeli settlement activity “illegal” and argued that it undermines progress on a two-State solution. Some members condemned rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel.

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