Settlement, Annexation– 17 Dec. 2020 Daily Press Briefing – (Excerpts)

17 DECEMBER 2020

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

/…

Questions and Answers

/…

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  The Israeli Knesset now is debating the issue of legalising the settlement outposts, which is normally… until now, has been considered by Israeli law as illegal.  So, the first reading in the Knesset have passed, and there will be second and third reading.  So, would the UN be waiting until the Israeli Knesset utilize these outpost settlements and then issue a statement saying all settlement activities are illegal and hinder the two‑state solution?

Spokesman:  Well, I mean, that’s something we’ve been saying for a long time, Abdelhamid.  So, it’s not… our position, again, is unchanged, is firm and is very clear.

Question:  But can’t something be said in advance before…?

Spokesman:  Things… I mean, we have expressed our concern about annexation.  We’ve repeatedly stated our position on the legal status of these settlements.  So, I mean, if anybody cares to take our position to account, all they need to do is read.

/…

For information media. Not an official record.