Elections in Israel, Israeli Flag Day March in Jerusalem – 14 June 2021 Daily Press Briefing – (Excerpts)

14 JUNE 2021

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

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Questions and Answers

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Question:  Thank you very much, Farhan.  Two questions and apologies if you addressed this; I came in a few minutes late.  First, does the Secretary-General have any reaction to the formation of a new Israeli Government and expectations for possibly moving ahead on trying to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians?

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Deputy Spokesman:  Well, regarding your first question, of course, we’re always hopeful for any developments that can encourage progress between the parties.  So, we’re hoping that as this new Government takes office and starts its functions that it will move forward in good faith in terms of dealing with the Palestinians on the core concerns that the parties have.  The Secretary-General congratulates the incoming Government and looks forward to working with them.

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Question:  Yes, Farhan.  Thank you very much.  Tomorrow, the Israeli settlers will do their Jerusalem Flag Day march, and it’s expected to be… to open a new chapter with clashes.  I haven’t seen any statement.  I looked at the Tor Wennesland Twitter, and there’s nothing about it.  He only congratulated the new Government in Israel.  And you know, they’re promising to expand settlements.  So, he’s, in fact, endorsing a Government that is promising to expand settlement.

And also, in a related development, on Friday, 15-year-old boy Mohammad Hamayel was shot and killed in the village of Beita, and there is no word.  And on Saturday, a woman, Ibtissam Kaabneh, was shot in Qalandia checkpoint, and there is no word.  Only he issued a statement to congratulate this racist Government of Israel promising to expand settlement.  So, do you have any comment?

Deputy Spokesman:  Regarding tomorrow’s march, we have made clear — Tor Wennesland has made clear — the need for all sides to refrain from unilateral steps and provocations, for them to exercise restraint and allow for the necessary work to be done to solidify the current ceasefire.  We warned that the current cessation of hostilities is fragile, and so, we’re trying to do what we can to bolster that.

Regarding what you said about the recent casualties, of course, we are concerned about all such reports and want them to be looked into thoroughly.  And, of course, any such incidents like that will be reported during the periodic briefings to the Security Council.

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For information media. Not an official record.