Settlements, Palestinian Prisoner Maher al‑Akhras’ Hunger Strike – 26 Oct. 2020 Daily Press Briefing – (Excerpts)

26 OCTOBER 2020

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

You heard [Nickolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,] briefing the Security Council this morning on the Middle East Peace Process, saying that the pandemic stretches on and its consequences accumulate, Palestinians and Israelis alike are feeling the effects.  He is particularly concerned about the spread of the virus in Gaza and the long‑term damage to the Palestinian economy and social cohesion, including impacts on education, for the next generation.  His full statement was shared with you.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:  My second question, Mr. Mladenov, in his speech, he repeated that Israel is going ahead with plans to build 5,000 units in occupied Palestinian territories.  He also mentioned the situation of Maher al‑Akhras, who’s been on… almost 90 days on hunger strike.  However, Israel even chose not to mention in the speech of the Israeli ambassador the settlement or any of these?  What is the UN can do other than just mentioning these developments or appealing to Israel to stop these internal activities?  They have never stopped it, again and again and again.

Spokesman:  Well, each Permanent Representative or senior official who addresses the Council from a Member State is free to say whatever they want.  We stated our position.  It’s very clear, and we’ve made that position known, both privately and publicly, to Israeli authorities.  Okay.  I have my phone back, so my colleagues can tell me who’s going on.  So, Iftikhar, please, go ahead.

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For information media. Not an official record.