<\/p>\n
9400TH MEETING (AM)
\nSC\/15390
\n21 AUGUST 2023<\/p>\n
video<\/a>\u00a0(full meeting)<\/p>\n video<\/a>\u00a0(UNSCO statement only)<\/p>\n Fran\u00e7ois\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n A political horizon for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be established amidst escalating violence and extremism on both sides, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as members condemned ongoing unilateral actions that render the prospect of a sustainable solution ever more remote.<\/p>\n Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, reporting near-daily violence, told the Council that another fatal shooting killed an Israeli in the West Bank just hours before his briefing. \u00a0\u201cThis violence is fuelled and exacerbated by a growing sense of despair about the future,\u201d he observed, stating that the lack of progress towards a political horizon has left a dangerous, volatile vacuum filled by extremists on both sides.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a long distance apart from the sentiments prevailing when the Oslo Accords were signed 30 years ago,\u201d he remarked, detailing deaths, injuries and demolitions that occurred between 25\u00a0July and 15\u00a0August, including the 17\u00a0August demolition of a Palestinian elementary school in Ein Samiya days before the start of the school year \u2014 the third such demolition in the past year.<\/p>\n He went on to point out that Palestinian and Israeli fatalities in 2023 have already surpassed 2022\u2019s annual figures, and that settlement expansion \u201ccontinues unabated\u201d. \u00a0Further, the Palestinian Authority\u2019s fragile fiscal situation and the funding shortages faced by key UN agencies threaten to worsen the plight of the most-vulnerable Palestinians. \u00a0\u201cWhile we must urgently focus on addressing the most-critical issues and on de-escalating the situation on the ground, we cannot ignore the need to restore a political horizon,\u201d he underscored.<\/p>\n In the ensuing discussion, many Council members echoed the Special Coordinator\u2019s observations regarding the lack of a political horizon.\u00a0Expressing concern over the escalating cycle of violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, they both spotlighted the suffering of civilians and condemned unilateral actions that continue to frustrate a sustainable solution.<\/p>\n The representative of the Russian Federation, in this regard, joined others in observing that the ongoing lack of settlement continues to provoke a \u201cregular, bloody eruption of violence\u201d in the zone of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. \u00a0The long-term stagnation of the Middle East peace process is compounded by Israel\u2019s illegal, unilateral actions that create irreversible facts on the ground.<\/p>\n On that, France\u2019s representative underscored that her country will never recognize the illegal annexation of territory nor the legalization of \u201cwildcat\u201d settlements. \u00a0She also stressed that the 17\u00a0August demolition of a school in Ein Samiya \u2014 a facility funded by European donors, including France \u2014 is unacceptable, and that Palestinian children have the right to an education.<\/p>\n Gabon\u2019s representative, similarly, underlined the need to maintain schools\u2019 status as \u201csafe spaces\u201d. \u00a0He also expressed concern over growing violence targeting the Christian community in Israel, urging the international community to ensure that the Israeli-Palestinian crisis \u201cdoes not itself plant the seeds of tension between the three monotheistic religions\u201d.<\/p>\n Building on that, the representative of the United Arab Emirates called on the international community to \u201cput its full force\u201d behind the two-State solution. \u00a0She also reaffirmed Palestinian children\u2019s right to an education and called for the demolition of schools to cease. \u00a0\u201cThe role of education must be recognized in building prosperous societies \u2014 particularly in conflict situations,\u201d she emphasized.<\/p>\n Japan\u2019s representative, voicing a sentiment expressed by many today, observed: \u00a0\u201cUltimately, there is no alternative to a two-State solution where Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully, side-by-side, in line with internationally agreed parameters.\u201d<\/p>\n THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION<\/strong><\/p>\n Briefing<\/u><\/p>\n TOR WENNESLAND,\u00a0Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process<\/u>, reported that Palestinians and Israelis are killed and injured in near-daily violence \u2014 including just hours before his briefing when another fatal shooting killed an Israeli in the West Bank.\u00a0 \u201cThis violence is fuelled and exacerbated by a growing sense of despair about the future,\u201d he observed.\u00a0 The lack of progress towards a political horizon that addresses the core issues driving the conflict has left a dangerous, volatile vacuum, filled by extremists on both sides.\u00a0 \u201cWe are a long distance apart from the sentiments prevailing when the Oslo Accords were signed 30 years ago,\u201d he noted, detailing the deaths and injuries of Palestinians and Israelis that occurred between 25\u00a0July and 15\u00a0August.\u00a0 He also detailed settlement-related developments over that period, including the 17\u00a0August demolition of a Palestinian elementary school in Ein Samiya days before the start of the school year \u2014 the third such demolition in the past year.<\/p>\n He called on Israeli authorities to end demolitions of Palestinian-owned property and the displacement and eviction of Palestinians, and to approve additional plans that would enable them to build legally and address their development needs.\u00a0 The Palestinian Authority\u2019s fiscal state remains dire \u2014 with a projected deficit of more than $370\u00a0million for 2023 \u2014 and austerity measures have resulted in significant reductions to civil-servant salaries and social assistance.\u00a0Meanwhile, funding shortages continue to curtail the ability of United Nations agencies to provide crucial services to Palestinians.\u00a0 To get through the end of 2023, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) urgently needs $35\u00a0million to maintain food assistance for 1.2\u00a0million Palestinians in Gaza, and the World Food Programme (WFP) requires $41\u00a0million to restore its operations across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.<\/p>\n Turning to the region, he reported that, while the ceasefire between Israel and Syria has been \u201cgenerally maintained\u201d in the Golan, the situation remains volatile due to continued violations of the disengagement-of-forces agreement.\u00a0 In addition, as tensions along the Blue Line continue, he urged political leaders in Lebanon and Israel to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric.\u00a0 Concluding, he pointed out that Palestinian and Israeli fatalities in 2023 have already surpassed 2022\u2019s annual figures and that settlement expansion \u201ccontinues unabated\u201d.\u00a0 Further, the fragility of the Palestinian Authority\u2019s fiscal situation \u2014 compounded by the funding shortages faced by key UN agencies \u2014 threatens to worsen the plight of the most-vulnerable Palestinians.\u00a0 \u201cWhile we must urgently focus on addressing the most-critical issues and on de-escalating the situation on the ground, we cannot ignore the need to restore a political horizon,\u201d he underscored.<\/p>\n Statements<\/u><\/p>\n LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States<\/u>), Council President for August, speaking in her national capacity, expressed deep concern for the spike in violence in the West Bank and Israel.\u00a0 Justice must be \u201cpursued with equal vigour\u201d in all cases of violent extremism, whether the perpetrators are Palestinian militants or extremist Israeli settlers, she emphasized, adding that she remained deeply concerned by the damage in the Jenin camp.\u00a0 UNRWA\u2019S funding shortfall is also concerning, she said, urging all Member States to commit pledges so that people in need can receive support amid soaring food prices.\u00a0For its part, UNRWA must strengthen its effectiveness and financial sustainability.\u00a0 She also expressed her deep concern regarding Hizbullah\u2019s provocations, which represent an increasing threat to Lebanon’s peace and security, as well as Israel’s.\u00a0 The United States Treasury Department sanctioned the organization Green without Borders and its leaders last week and will continue to support Lebanese civil society groups protecting Lebanon’s natural environment while relentlessly pursuing Hizbullah, she added.<\/p>\n JAMES KARIUKI (United Kingdom<\/u>) sounded extreme alarm over the growth of settler violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. \u00a0So far in 2023, UN agencies have recorded 591 settler-related incidents resulting in Palestinian casualties, property damage or both, the highest monthly average of incidents since records began. \u00a0This includes the murder of Palestinian Qusai Jamal Maatan by settlers. \u00a0The displacement of over 400 Palestinians across seven communities from their land due to ongoing settler violence is unacceptable, he underscored, urging Israeli authorities to hold to account and prevent those who have made the lives of Palestinians \u2014 such as in the communities of Al Qaboun and Al Mughayyir \u2014 intolerable. \u00a0He also called on the Israeli authorities to thoroughly investigate every instance of settler violence to bring those responsible to justice and end the culture of impunity.\u00a0 He further condemned the terrorist attacks in Tel Aviv on 12\u00a0August, the West Bank town of Huwara on 19\u00a0August and the South Hebron hills on 21\u00a0August, which took the lives of four innocent Israelis.<\/p>\n ISIS MARIE DORIANE JARAUD-DARNAULT (France<\/u>), noting recent settlement decisions taken by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem, underscored that her country will never recognize the illegal annexation of territory nor the legalization of \u201cwildcat\u201d settlements.\u00a0 She also stressed that the 17\u00a0August demolition of a school in Ein Samiya \u2014 a facility funded by European donors, including France \u2014 is unacceptable, and that Palestinian children have the right to an education.\u00a0Calling on all parties to exercise restraint, she underscored that the Council is responsible for enforcing the resolutions it has adopted \u2014 including resolution 2334 (2016).\u00a0 As the thirtieth anniversary of the Oslo Accords approaches, the lack of progress on the ground is fuelling violence and undermining international peace and security.\u00a0 The Council must mobilize, she urged, emphasizing that the \u201cfirst step is to restore a credible political horizon\u201d.<\/p>\n DOMINGOS FERNANDES (Mozambique<\/u>) said that recent data from the region shows that the situation is critical.\u00a0 \u201cThere are no signs of a reduction in clashes between Israel and Palestine,\u201d he warned, condemning the escalation of violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 A two-State solution, based on relevant Council resolutions, remains a good basis for the co-existence of two neighbouring peoples and States.\u00a0 Hence, all efforts must focus on establishing \u201cgenuine dialogue for peace\u201d, he emphasized.\u00a0 He also strongly condemned the attacks and destruction in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which has led to the loss of many lives.\u00a0 Turning to UNRWA, he urged the international community to provide the needed financial support to the Agency.<\/p>\n ZHANG JUN (China<\/u>) highlighted \u201cthe uncountable number\u201d of meetings on the question of Palestine, which has dragged on for more than 70 years and remains unresolved.\u00a0 Firm political will and resolute collective efforts are needed to prevent the Israeli-Palestinian situation from getting out of control, he said, adding that it is imperative to oppose violence and uphold international law.\u00a0 The situation on the ground remains tense and the escalation of violence and civilian casualties is concerning.\u00a0 \u201cThis year has witnessed the killing of over 40 Palestinian children,\u201d he pointed out, condemning all violence against civilians and opposing the excessive use of force by the security forces.\u00a0 All concerned parties must exercise restraint and the occupying Power should ensure the safety and security of the population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 Further, it is essential to promote economic development and provide humanitarian assistance, he said, noting that China will continue to do so to the State of Palestine, as well as support UNRWA\u2019s work.<\/p>\n MICHEL XAVIER BIANG (Gabon<\/u>) condemned the violence that \u201crenders the prospect of a two-State solution ever dimmer\u201d.\u00a0Continued settlement expansion, demolitions and evictions in the occupied West Bank constitute additional, major obstacles to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.\u00a0 These acts must cease, as must the harmful practice of retaining the remains of the dead.\u00a0 He called on Palestinians and Israelis to return these remains to the families concerned.\u00a0Further, holy sites in Jerusalem must be respected and growing violence targeting the Christian community in Israel \u2014 namely in their places of worship and cemeteries \u2014 is regrettable.\u00a0 It is vital that the international community ensure that the Israeli-Palestinian crisis \u201cdoes not itself plant the seeds of tension between the three monotheistic religions\u201d, he stressed.\u00a0Spotlighting the demolition of an elementary school in Ein Samiya, he also underlined the need to maintain schools\u2019 status as \u201csafe spaces\u201d.<\/p>\n RICCARDA CHRISTIANA CHANDA (Switzerland<\/u>) noted that the year 2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank since the United Nations began recording cases in this conflict. \u00a0However, this record has already been broken this month, she reported.\u00a0 In the first seven months of 2023, twice as many Palestinian civilians died in the West Bank than in the same period last year, either during operations carried out by Israeli security forces or due to violence committed by settlers. \u00a0At the same time, 24 Israeli civilians lost their lives as a result of acts of violence perpetrated by Palestinians. \u00a0Accordingly, she called on the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to commit themselves unequivocally to de-escalation.\u00a0 Israel must refrain from taking measures that would introduce demographic and administrative changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, she underscored, adding that the displacement of communities, such as the recent displacement of 89 Palestinians, including 39 children, in Ras al-Tin, following violence by settlers and coercive measures by Israel, could constitute forcible transfers.<\/p>\n SHINO MITSUKO (Japan<\/u>) expressed concern over the operations by the Israeli forces, including the recent raid in Jericho, which led to the killing of two Palestinians.\u00a0 At the same time, she expressed shock regarding the murder of an Israeli security guard who was shot by a Palestinian gunman in Tel Aviv earlier this month.\u00a0 Strongly condemning all acts of terror and the targeting of innocent people, she underlined the importance of the protection of civilians, especially children.\u00a0 All the perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be held accountable.\u00a0 The unilateral actions, such as Israel\u2019s illegal settlement activities, demolitions of Palestinian homes and acts of terrorism by Palestinian militants, only fuel tensions on the ground and further push away the parties from a sustainable solution.\u00a0 \u201cUltimately, there is no alternative to a two-State solution where Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully side by side in line with internationally agreed parameters,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n S\u00c9RGIO FRAN\u00c7A DANESE (Brazil<\/u>) emphasized that the security situation in Israel and the State of Palestine has deteriorated markedly since the beginning of 2023, with tensions escalating to alarming levels. \u00a0Tragically, the civilian population continues to suffer the most, he said, condemning all acts of violence against civilians, whether Israeli or Palestinian, and deploring the disproportionate use of force. \u00a0Terrorism, in any form or manifestation, is also unacceptable.\u00a0 Further, escalating Israeli military actions have heightened tensions and left a trail of suffering and destruction in the West Bank. \u00a0The frequent violent raids \u2014 such as those recently carried out in the city of Jericho and the Tulkarem refugee camp \u2014 are deeply concerning. \u00a0Moreover, an ever-present risk looms that events in the West Bank may spill into Gaza, where the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.\u00a0 Voicing concern over the critical humanitarian situation of Palestinian refugees, he stressed that restoring UNRWA\u2019s capabilities is imperative.<\/p>\n AMEIRAH OBAID MOHAMED OBAID ALHEFEITI (United Arab Emirates<\/u>), urging the international community to \u201cput its full force\u201d behind the two-State solution, underlined the need to revitalize efforts to restore trust between the parties and resume serious, effective negotiations.\u00a0 A just, comprehensive and lasting peace cannot be achieved by inciting violence and hate speech, she observed, calling for an end to Israel\u2019s illegal practices and increasing aggression in the West Bank.\u00a0She also reaffirmed Palestinian children\u2019s right to an education, which requires the ending of activities carried out by settlers in and around schools to terrorize populations.\u00a0 Further, the demolition of schools must cease, she underscored, spotlighting one such recent demolition that occurred days before the start of the school year.\u00a0 \u201cThe role of education must be recognized in building prosperous societies \u2014 particularly in conflict situations,\u201d she emphasized, also calling on Israel to take genuine measures to contain and end settler violence.<\/p>\n FELIX AKOM NYARKU (Ghana<\/u>) stressed the need to stop the cycle of violence and increase in settler-related clashes. \u00a0The increasing frequency and intensity of security operations by Israeli security forces using sophisticated weapons and live ammunition has been accompanied by widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and detentions of mostly Palestinians youth in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. \u00a0He called on the Israeli security forces to exercise restraint and adhere to the principles of proportionality.\u00a0 He further expressed concern over the sharp increase in violent attacks on unarmed Israeli civilians which has resulted in fatalities, the kidnapping of innocent Israelis in Jerusalem and other Israeli settlements and the regular firing rockets into Israeli communities, which have harmed innocent Israeli citizens. \u00a0\u201cAttacks by terrorist or militant groups against innocent Israeli citizens would not advance the cause of Palestine,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n FRANCESCA MARIA GATT (Malta<\/u>) said that the protection of civilians in conflict is fundamental.\u00a0 Unreservedly condemning all acts of terrorism and extremist violence, which have regrettably continued to take place in recent days and weeks, she expressed concern at the high incidence of Palestinian deaths following military operations in the West Bank.\u00a0 Settlements are illegal under international law and dangerously imperil the viability of the two-State solution based along the pre-1967 borders.\u00a0Continued provocations and threats to the historic status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem must also cease. \u00a0She welcomed attempts being made by Israel\u2019s National Security Cabinet to introduce economic measures aimed at bolstering the Palestinian Authority. \u00a0A more credible Palestinian Authority as a partner is \u201cin everyone\u2019s interest\u201d, she said, also urging authorities in Palestine to hold the overdue national elections as soon as possible.<\/p>\n DMITRY POLYANSKIY (Russian Federation<\/u>) said the ongoing lack of a settlement to the Palestinian problem continues to provoke \u201cregular bloody eruption of violence\u201d in the zone of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, creating growing threats to stability and security of the entire Middle East region.\u00a0The long-term stagnation of the Middle East peace process is compounded by Israel\u2019s illegal unilateral actions creating irreversible facts on the ground.\u00a0 In 2023, Israeli authorities used a simplified procedure to approve plans to build more than 12,000 housing units, accompanied by the forcible evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.\u00a0He also noted that this year is becoming one of the bloodiest, with the number of Palestinian killed already exceeding more than 200, including women and minors.\u00a0 The July\u00a02023 Israeli operation in Jenin alone led to more than 140 casualties.\u00a0 Additionally, Israeli air forces continue to carry out arbitrary strikes on Syria\u2019s territory, including on the outskirts of Damascus, he observed.<\/p>\n FERIT HOXHA (Albania<\/u>), stating that recent events in the Tulkarm refugee camp risk escalation in other areas of the West Bank, stressed that protection of civilians must always be the primary concern.\u00a0 Also condemning Israeli settler violence, he underscored that the \u201clives of Palestinian and Israeli civilians are worth the same\u201d.\u00a0While a political horizon may seem remote, violence is not \u2014 and cannot be \u2014 either a solution or a substitute for justice.\u00a0 He called on the parties to abide by the commitments they made in Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh \u2014 \u201cthe best way to bridge the deep \u2014 and deepening \u2014 divide\u201d.\u00a0Joining the Special Coordinator\u2019s call for the restoration of a political horizon to break the current cycle of deadly violence, he said that this lies, inter alia, in the parties\u2019 vision for \u201ca future where a viable, democratic Palestine lives beside a secure Israel\u201d.<\/p>\n HERN\u00c1N P\u00c9REZ LOOSE (Ecuador<\/u>) condemned any act of terror and violence regardless of its origin.\u00a0 \u201cWe hope that the justice system will try and duly punish the perpetrators,\u201d he added, also emphasizing:\u00a0 \u201cRemaining silent about such acts is reprehensible; justifying them is even more so\u201d.\u00a0 Israel must immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 For its part, the Council must oppose all unilateral measures that impede peace, including the construction and expansion of settlements, confiscation of land and the demolition of homes. \u00a0Lasting peace must be the goal uniting all.\u00a0 However, it will only be achieved through a political and just solution, he stressed, underlining that such a solution must be grounded in international law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 9400TH MEETING (AM) SC\/15390 21 AUGUST 2023 video\u00a0(full meeting) video\u00a0(UNSCO statement only) Fran\u00e7ois\u00a0 A political horizon for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be established amidst escalating violence and extremism on both sides, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as members condemned ongoing unilateral actions that render the prospect of a sustainable 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