{"id":138509,"date":"2018-05-30T20:43:32","date_gmt":"2018-05-30T20:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=138509"},"modified":"2020-07-22T00:52:09","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T04:52:09","slug":"un-special-coordinator-mladenov-briefs-security-council-on-the-events-unfolding-in-and-around-gaza-press-release","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/un-special-coordinator-mladenov-briefs-security-council-on-the-events-unfolding-in-and-around-gaza-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Coordinator Urges Security Council to Intensify Pressure on Israelis, Palestinians Amid Most Serious Escalation of Violence Since 2014 – Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"

8272ND MEETING (PM)<\/strong>
\nSC\/13360<\/strong>
\n30 MAY 2018<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/p>\n

video<\/a><\/p>\n

Events unfolding in and around Gaza marked the most serious escalation of violence since the 2014\u00a0conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council today, as he called for intensified pressure on Israelis and Palestinians to advance a just and sustainable peace.<\/p>\n

Describing the fresh fighting as a warning of how close the parties were to the brink of war, Nickolay Mladenov said that, between 28\u00a0and 30\u00a0May, 216\u00a0projectiles, rockets and mortar shells had been fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.\u00a0 In response, Israel had carried out air strikes on 65\u00a0Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza.\u00a0 Hamas\u2019 Qassam Brigades and the Islamic Jihad\u2019s Saraya al-Quds had claimed joint responsibility for the rocket-fire attacks, blaming Israel for having targeted their fighters in the preceding 48\u00a0hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch attacks are completely unacceptable,\u201d he stressed, urging the international community to join the Â鶹APP in unequivocally condemning them.\u00a0 However, the situation had since calmed, he noted, welcoming Egypt\u2019s efforts to ensure that the calm prevailed.\u00a0 He recalled that in his briefing last week, he had been encouraged by the Council\u2019s willingness to consider ideas on changing the reality in Gaza.\u00a0 However, the failure to act immediately with a set of relatively modest, achievable interventions would drastically increase the risk of confrontation, he warned.<\/p>\n

He went on to state that the Â鶹APP would immediately make efforts to facilitate project implementation in Gaza and to improve its coordination with Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority with the aim of overcoming political, administrative and logistical blockages.\u00a0 The Organization would do its utmost to ensure that Gazans had a future \u201cwhere you are the masters of your own fate\u201d, united under a single, democratic and legitimate Government in a State of Palestine, living peacefully alongside Israel, he pledged.<\/p>\n

In the ensuing debate, the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine urged the Council to prevent Israel from terrorizing Palestinian civilians.\u00a0 \u201cWe have been brought here today precisely because of the constant mistake of detaching developments from the root causes and the reality of the existence of the Israeli occupation,\u201d he emphasized.\u00a0 Israel could not claim the exclusive right to security, and attempts to justify its illegal actions under the pretext of security were totally unacceptable.<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s representative responded by saying the Council should condemn Hamas for its war crimes against Israelis and Palestinians, and designate it a terrorist group.\u00a0 The situation in Gaza was a direct result of its refusal to condemn violence, he said, vowing that if Israeli children were not allowed to sleep at night, then terrorists in Gaza would feel the might of the Israel Defense Forces.<\/p>\n

Many delegates decried indiscriminate attacks against civilians as illegal and unjustifiable by anyone at any time, with Kuwait\u2019s representative calling attention to a draft resolution that his delegation had tabled requiring international protection for Palestinians.\u00a0 As long as the occupation persisted, Palestinians had the right to defend their aspirations for an independent and free life, he stressed.<\/p>\n

Several delegates, including the representatives of Sweden and Ethiopia, welcomed Egypt\u2019s efforts to de-escalate tensions and open the Rafah crossing point during the holy month of Ramadan.\u00a0 Bolivia\u2019s representative pointed out that 2\u00a0million Gazans were living without electricity, medicine or safe drinking water\u00a0\u2014 the result of Israel\u2019s 11-year-long blockade of the enclave.<\/p>\n

The representative of the United States, meanwhile, asked:\u00a0 \u201cWho among us would accept 70\u00a0rockets launched into your country?\u201d\u00a0 The people of Gaza did not require protection from any external force, but from Hamas itself, she said, expressing hope that the ceasefire unilaterally declared by Hamas would hold.<\/p>\n

Describing the use of force as \u201ca road to nowhere\u201d, the Russian Federation\u2019s delegate said that the Middle East Quartet (European Union, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States) was the appropriate forum for helping the region to surmount the long\u2011standing impasse.\u00a0 China\u2019s representative added that his country\u2019s Special Envoy had recently met with both the Israeli and Palestinian sides, as well as the Special Coordinator, sending a message on the need for progress on the peace process.<\/p>\n

Also speaking today were representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Peru, Kazakhstan, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Netherlands, Equatorial Guinea and Poland.<\/p>\n

The meeting began at 3:07\u00a0p.m. and ended at 4:59\u00a0p.m.<\/p>\n

Briefing<\/u><\/p>\n

NICKOLAY MLADENOV, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, described events unfolding in and around Gaza as the most serious escalation since the 2014\u00a0conflict between Hamas and Israel.\u00a0 Citing the Israel Defense Forces, he said that, between 28\u00a0and 30\u00a0May, \u00a0projectiles, including rockets and mortar shells, had been fired from Gaza towards Israel, 77\u00a0of which had hit the Eshkol, Sha\u2019ar Hanegev and Sdot Negev regions.\u00a0 While most had been intercepted by the Iron Dome system, one had hit a kindergarten yard.\u00a0 In response, Israel had carried out air strikes on 65\u00a0Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza, destroying a tunnel near the Kerem Shalom crossing.<\/p>\n

He said that, on 29\u00a0May, Hamas\u2019 Qassam Brigades and the Islamic Jihad\u2019s Saraya al-Quds had claimed joint responsibility for the attacks, blaming Israel for targeting their fighters in the preceding 48\u00a0hours.\u00a0 \u201cSuch attacks are completely unacceptable,\u201d he emphasized, urging the international community to join the Â鶹APP in condemning them unequivocally.\u00a0 The dangerous escalation in Gaza had followed repeated Â鶹APP warnings, he said, noting that they could not be divorced from the recent protests at the Gaza fence in which some 110\u00a0Palestinians had been killed.<\/p>\n

On 27\u00a0May, he continued, the Israel Defense Forces, responding to an improvised explosive device found near the fence, had targeted an Islamic Jihad observation post, killing three members of the group, after which it had vowed to retaliate.\u00a0 The Israeli military\u2019s subsequent shelling of another observation post had killed a member of the Hamas military wing.\u00a0 As of today, the situation was quiet, he said, welcoming Egypt\u2019s efforts to ensure that calm prevailed.\u00a0 Reiterating his call for all sides to uphold all understandings, he declared:\u00a0 \u201cIt is imperative that this period of calm be preserved at all costs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stressing that no one had the right to play with the lives of 2\u00a0million Gazans who had lived through hell over the last decade, he said that, despite the violence, Gaza\u2019s civilian infrastructure had not sustained significant damage.\u00a0 The Rafah crossing into Egypt was continuing operations for the nineteenth consecutive day, while the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings into Israel had experienced only minor delays.\u00a0 However, fire from Gaza had damaged electricity installations on Israel\u2019s side, resulting in a 30\u00a0per\u00a0cent reduction in supply into Gaza, he said, adding that, today, the total supply was barely enough to provide three hours of sustained power.<\/p>\n

He said that he had been encouraged by the Council\u2019s willingness last week to consider ideas for changing the reality in Gaza, warning that failure to act immediately with a set of relatively modest, achievable interventions would not only amplify the humanitarian crisis but drastically increase the risk of confrontation.\u00a0 He emphasized that the goals he had outlined last week were as valid as ever:\u00a0 to prevent war, address urgent humanitarian needs and support Egypt\u2019s reconciliation efforts.\u00a0 He called for immediate implementation of approved projects; the revival of efforts to empower the Government to take up its responsibilities; efforts to sustain the 2014\u00a0ceasefire understandings on the ground; and a halt to the militant build up.<\/p>\n

For its part, the Â鶹APP would immediately enhance its ability to facilitate project implementation in Gaza, he said.\u00a0 The Organization would also improve its coordination with Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority to overcome political, administrative and logistical blockages.\u00a0 That plan was the only way to ensure that \u201cwe do not allow Gaza to become a pawn in someone else\u2019s plans\u201d.\u00a0 Sending a message to Palestinians in Gaza, he said:\u00a0 \u201cWe hear your plight.\u201d\u00a0 The Â鶹APP would to its utmost to ensure they had a future of freedom and development \u201cwhere you are the masters of your own fate\u201d.\u00a0 It would be a future for all Palestinians, united under a single, democratic and legitimate Government, living in a State of Palestine peacefully alongside Israel.\u00a0 With that in mind, it was high time to intensify calls on Israelis and Palestinians to advance the goal of a just and sustainable peace, he said, underlining that such actions must encompass the political objectives of Gaza and the West Bank unified under the Palestinian Authority, an end to the occupation, and resolution of the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-State formula.<\/p>\n

Statements<\/u><\/p>\n

NIKKI R. HALEY (United States<\/u>) said that her delegation had called today\u2019s meeting to discuss the destructive activities of the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 It had also proposed a Council statement condemning Hamas for its recent rocket attacks against Israel, she added, noting that, while \u201cthis should have been a no brainer\u201d, the statement had nevertheless been blocked.\u00a0 The United States had then called for a meeting under the agenda item \u201cthreats to international peace and security\u201d, but that had also been blocked because some delegations felt that rocket attacks did not qualify as terrorism.\u00a0 The United States strongly rejected that assessment, she said, recalling that Hamas had indiscriminately fired at least 70\u00a0rockets into Israel \u2014 intending only to cause as much destruction as possible \u2014 one of which had landed in a kindergarten playground.<\/p>\n

Hamas had proudly claimed responsibility for the attack, she continued, noting that the action had demonstrated once again the group\u2019s stated purpose \u2014 the destruction of Israel.\u00a0 The people of Gaza did not require protection from any external force, but from Hamas itself, she emphasized, asking:\u00a0 \u201cWho among us would accept 70\u00a0rockets launched into your country?\u201d\u00a0 Expressing support for Mr.\u00a0Mladenov\u2019s proposals and hope that the ceasefire unilaterally declared by Hamas would hold, she said it was unacceptable that the Human Rights Council had decided to send a fact-finding team to investigate actions taken by Israel in self-defence along the border with Gaza while the international community continued to sit on its hands when Israel was attacked.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the height of hypocrisy,\u201d she stressed, adding that while the Palestinian people deserved a better life, that could only be achieved by a more responsible leadership and a return to the negotiating table.<\/p>\n

KAREN PIERCE (United Kingdom<\/u>), emphasizing that indiscriminate attacks against civilians were unacceptable and unjustifiable, said the latest attacks once again revealed the very real risk of a renewed war in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 They also threatened efforts to renew the peace process, she said, urging the Council to take all action to protect it.\u00a0 The actions of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad \u2014 embracing violence and rejecting the Middle East Quartet principles\u00a0\u2014 lay at the heart of the conflict, she said, calling upon all parties to cease provocative actions that put civilian lives at risk.\u00a0 Nevertheless, Israel\u2019s restrictions on the movement of Gaza\u2019s inhabitants had contributed to the escalating tensions, she said, adding that it was the international community\u2019s responsibility to work together to alleviate the humanitarian suffering.\u00a0 She said that her delegation supported the Special Representative\u2019s proposed support of infrastructure projects and engagement with Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Egypt to reduce tensions, adding that the United Kingdom had just announced a new pledge of more than $2\u00a0million in life\u2011saving support for the International Committee of the Red Cross\u00a0(ICRC) to keep hospitals in Gaza open at a time when its health\u2011care system was under great strain.\u00a0 Ultimately, however, only a negotiated political resolution would put a lasting end to the conflict, she stressed.<\/p>\n

FRAN\u00c7OIS DELATTRE (France<\/u>), warning that the events of 29\u00a0May had revealed a real risk that violence on the ground could spiral out of control, said that, at the same time, the situation was \u201csadly predicable\u201d and the same causes were producing the same results.\u00a0 Condemning the rockets attacks from Gaza that deliberately targeted civilians, he reiterated France\u2019s commitment to Israel\u2019s security while urging all parties to exercise restraint.\u00a0 The goal must be to avoid a deadly conflict in which civilians would pay the highest price.\u00a0 The armed escalation had come after two months of repression and violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinian protesters, which had left more than 116\u00a0dead and thousands wounded as a result of the Israeli military\u2019s disproportionate use of force, he noted.\u00a0 Emphasizing that the protests must remain peaceful \u2014 and that Hamas must not be allowed to abuse them for military ends \u2014 he described Gaza\u2019s ongoing humanitarian crisis as structural in nature.\u00a0 Indeed, the recent protests could not be separated from the despair felt by Gaza\u2019s people, and tensions would not recede until the population was supported and provided with hope.\u00a0 Inviting the United States not to abandon its historic role in supporting the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA), he emphasized that it remained critical for regional peace and stability.\u00a0 However, there was need for a more long\u2011term response to the situation in line with Mr.\u00a0Mladenov\u2019s proposals.\u00a0 The objective should be to lift the blockade while respecting Israel\u2019s security concerns, he stressed, pointing out that the Security Council\u2019s \u201cheavy silence\u201d on the matter showed the world that it was powerless and put its very credibility at stake.<\/p>\n

MANSOUR AYYAD SH. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait<\/u>), noting that the situation continued to deteriorate, condemned the targeting of civilians by any party at any time.\u00a0 However, as long as the occupation persisted, Palestinians had the right to fight it and to defend their aspirations for an independent and free life, he emphasized, declaring:\u00a0 \u201cWe support their fight.\u201d\u00a0 Kuwait commended their steadfastness in the face of the destructive Israeli regime, he said, stressing that the occupation was in violation of the Charter of the Â鶹APP and must end, as it was the root cause of the regional conflict.\u00a0 It was unacceptable that the international community remained silent in face of violations of international humanitarian law and the 1949\u00a0Geneva Conventions, he said, stressing that unlawful unilateral measures to Judaize Jerusalem continued, as had incursions into Al-Aqsa mosque.\u00a0 Those actions provoked Muslims, as did the blockade of Gaza, which had lasted more than a decade.\u00a0 Kuwait had tabled a draft resolution requiring international protection for Palestinians, he said, calling for transparency and inclusiveness in the attendant negotiations, having taken many amendments on board.\u00a0 He expressed hope that the Council would send a message that it would stand by the side of the Palestinians, he said, welcoming the Human Rights Council\u2019s 18\u00a0May resolution to send a committee to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially Gaza, to investigate Israel\u2019s violations.<\/p>\n

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation<\/u>) expressed regret that the border between Israel and Gaza had again become an area of armed activity, describing civilians in Israel and Palestine as its \u201chostages\u201d.\u00a0 Relying on force and refraining from dialogue was \u201ca road to nowhere\u201d, he said, calling on both parties to exercise restraint.\u00a0 The Council had dealt with the undesirable consequences of the stalemate between the parties, which prevented it from removing such chronic problems as provocative rhetoric, unilateral actions and settlement activity, he emphasized, advocating renewed efforts to activate the political process, including Security Council decisions and the Arab Peace Initiative.\u00a0 The outcome should follow the two-State formula entailing a sovereign, independent State of Palestine with its capital in East Jerusalem, he stressed.\u00a0 Condemning the indiscriminate use of force against civilians, as well as the firing of rockets into Israel, he called for easing the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza, pointing out that despair was a fertile breeding ground for radicalism.\u00a0 Underscoring the important role of Egypt and Jordan in Palestinian affairs, he said the Middle East Quartet (European Union, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States) was the appropriate forum for helping the region to surmount the impasse.<\/p>\n

MA ZHAOXU (China<\/u>) expressed concern over the escalation, pressing Israel and the Palestinians to work in the same direction, cease military action and take steps to de-escalate the situation.\u00a0 Disputes must be settled by peaceful means, he emphasized, urging the Council to foster peace and create the conditions for stabilizing the situation and resuming dialogue.\u00a0 China\u2019s Special Envoy had recently met with both the Israeli and Palestinian sides, as well as the Special Coordinator, he said, adding that they had exchanged views on the Gaza situation and sent a message on the need for continued progress on the Middle East peace process.\u00a0 Describing the Palestinian question as the underlying obstacle to peace in the Middle East, he called for a relaunch of the peace process and urged the international community to advocate a lasting solution at an early date.\u00a0 It should also uphold the two-State formula and work within the existing international consensus, including the land-for-peace principle and the Arab Peace Initiative.\u00a0 China supported a fully sovereign, independent State of Palestine established within the pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, he emphasized, and would continue to follow President Xi Jinging\u2019s four-point proposal on resolving the issue.<\/p>\n

OLOF SKOOG (Sweden<\/u>), condemning the indiscriminate firing of rockets towards Israel by Palestinian militants, called for them to cease immediately.\u00a0 \u201cYesterday\u2019s attack did not take place in a vacuum,\u201d he emphasized, recalling that, since 30\u00a0March, the Council had been repeatedly seized of violence in and around Gaza, which \u201cwe all know [\u2026] is on the verge of social and economic collapse\u201d.\u00a0 The international community must urgently address Gaza\u2019s humanitarian crisis and alleviate the suffering of its people, he stressed, reiterating his delegation\u2019s appeal to support UNRWA during its present financial crisis.\u00a0 It was high time to end the policy of closure in Gaza, he said, calling for the lifting of all restrictions, as well as full and sustained access and movement.\u00a0 Welcoming Egypt\u2019s decision to open the Rafah crossing point during the month of Ramadan, as well as that country\u2019s efforts towards intra-Palestinian reconciliation, he said the Council also bore a responsibility to contribute to de-escalation efforts.\u00a0 \u201cWe regret that this Council has not been able to agree on public expressions relating to Gaza,\u201d he said, urging members to come together to address the crisis and more broadly advance the peace process in accordance with the two-State formula.<\/p>\n

TEKEDA ALEMU (Ethiopia<\/u>) recalled that it had only been two weeks since the Council\u2019s emergency meeting on violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in which it had called upon Israel to exercise maximum restraint, and on Hamas to prevent violence.\u00a0 He echoed the deep concern expressed over the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian militants from Gaza, noting that, unless the peace process was advanced and the underlying problems resolved, the tragedy would reach a point of no return.\u00a0 \u201cThat is where we seem to be headed,\u201d he said, underscoring the importance of resolving the situation through the two-State formula.\u00a0 He welcomed Egypt\u2019s efforts to de-escalate tensions, stressing that it was important to \u201cget the narrative right\u201d on the potentially dangerous situation, which was conducive to the creation of all sorts of groups that could threaten the entire region.<\/p>\n

GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru<\/u>), condemning all attacks against civilians and expressing support for Israel\u2019s legitimate right to self-defence, also voiced concern about the escalating tensions and rhetoric in recent days.\u00a0 All parties must act in strict accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, he emphasized, urging the Council to ensure a proper level of accountability for recent actions.\u00a0 He also expressed regret that the consensus necessary within the Council to alleviate the worrying humanitarian situating in Gaza and tackle the root causes of the conflict remained out of reach.<\/p>\n

KAIRAT UMAROV (Kazakhstan<\/u>) emphasized that all violence was counterproductive and denounced terrorism and incitement in all their forms, saying neither would advance the dream of Palestinian statehood.\u00a0 At the same time, Israel must understand that its continued occupation and heavy-handed security measures played into the hands of violent extremists and undermined moderate voices, \u201cwhich we need as bridge-builders\u201d.\u00a0 Condemning the firing of rocket from Gaza towards Israel on 29 May \u2014 which could endanger the peace process by hardening diverse positions and sharpening rhetoric on all sides \u2014 he also agreed with Mr.\u00a0Mladenov\u2019s assessment that anti-Semitic statements and inflammatory remarks were unacceptable, disturbing and did not serve the interests of the Palestinian people.\u00a0 Leaders had an obligation to confront hate speech and conspiracy theories that fuelled tensions, he stressed.\u00a0 Both sides must halt the hostilities, and those with influence over them should urge maximum restraint.\u00a0 Underlining the importance of intra-Palestinian unity under a legitimate and democratic Palestinian Authority, he called upon the Middle East Quartet to intensify efforts to resume negotiations and upon the international community to respond to Gaza\u2019s difficult humanitarian situation.<\/p>\n

ILAHIRI ALCIDE DJEDJE (C<\/u>\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/u>) voiced grave concern over the new cycle of violence and condemned the fighting, calling on the parties to both uphold a ceasefire and commit to a constructive dialogue.\u00a0 There was no military solution to the crisis, he emphasized, saying that only credible political negotiations would allow for the creation of two States living in peace and security with the legitimate recognition of their respective rights.\u00a0 The international community must pursue mediation for resumed negotiations that would lead to a two-State solution.\u00a0 Expressing regret that over the absence of promising political avenues, he said the violence only exacerbated a difficult economic situation, marked by unemployment, as well as shortages of water and electricity.\u00a0 C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire advocated measures to foster economic development in Gaza, he said, while stressing that inter-Palestinian dialogue must continue between Hamas and Fatah, and calling more broadly on all parties to refrain from violence.<\/p>\n

SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOL\u00cdZ (Bolivia<\/u>) decried attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, which were always unjustifiable.\u00a0 Welcoming Egypt\u2019s efforts to foster a ceasefire in Gaza, he called on Israel to reverse its decision to continue its aerial bombardments.\u00a0 Stressing that 2\u00a0million Gazans lacked electricity and medicine, and lived with shortages of safe drinking water \u2014 the result of the 11-year-long blockade \u2014 he pressed Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, including the fourth Geneva Convention \u2014 and as the occupying Power \u2014 to open all border crossings for the entry of humanitarian and other goods.\u00a0 The Security Council must support the resolution to be tabled by Kuwait on the protection of civilians, he said.\u00a0 Reiterating Bolivia\u2019s rejection of Israel\u2019s settlement policies, he said they were in violation of resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2017), he said, emphasizing that they \u2014 and their illegal occupation by Israel \u2014 lay at the root of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 He expressed support for the two-State formula to establish Palestinian State within the pre-1967 borders, in accordance with the relevant Council and General Assembly resolutions.<\/p>\n

KAREL JAN GUSTAAF VAN OOSTEROM (Netherlands<\/u>), condemning the 29\u00a0May attacks and calling for restraints on all sides, said the events demonstrated how quickly the fragile situation on the ground could spiral out of control.\u00a0 \u201cCivilians on both sides of the fence should not live in fear,\u201d he said, welcoming the Council\u2019s consensus that the humanitarian situation in Gaza must be addressed.\u00a0 The challenge now was to identify how to act on that matter, he said, welcoming Mr.\u00a0Mladenov\u2019s plans to fast-track urgently needed water, energy and health projects.\u00a0 Reiterating his delegation\u2019s support for an appropriate public expression by the Council on the current crisis \u2014 one \u201cthat does justice to our shared concerns\u201d \u2014 he said a political solution was also required to ensure a sustainable solution to the current humanitarian and security challenges.\u00a0 The Netherlands therefore supported Egypt\u2019s initiative to ensure the Palestinian Authority\u2019s return as the legitimate Government in Gaza, as well as its constructive role in maintaining calm between the parties, he said.\u00a0 Turning to the situation in the West Bank, he expressed concern about Israel\u2019s intention to enforce the demolition of all structures in the Khan al-Ahmar community.\u00a0 Area\u00a0C was critical to the viability of a future Palestinian State, and the demolitions, confiscation of homes and humanitarian obstruction \u2014 as well as illegal settlement expansion \u2014 violated Israel\u2019s obligations under international law, he emphasized.<\/p>\n

JOB OBIANG ESONO MBENGONO (Equatorial Guinea<\/u>), condemning all acts of violence by anyone, as well as all attacks against civilians, voiced regret that despite its repeated appeals, the Council was once again meeting to discuss more violence in the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 Recalling Mr.\u00a0Mladenov\u2019s warning that Gaza was close to total collapse, he called for restraint and for the parties to avoid \u201cstepping over the edge\u201d in what was already a very delicate situation.\u00a0 Instead, they should work towards normalizing the situation on the ground and easing humanitarian suffering.\u00a0 Had all parties abided by the terms of their reconciliation agreement, the Palestinian Authority would be in charge of Gaza and Israel would not have used disproportionate force in its response to the recent protests at the Gaza border, he said, expressing his delegation\u2019s full support for revived dialogue towards a two-State solution.\u00a0 Equatorial Guinea called upon all States to avoid actions that could \u201cbode ill\u201d for those on the ground, he added.<\/p>\n

JOANNA WRONECKA (Poland<\/u>), Council President for May, spoke in her national capacity, condemning in the strongest terms the rocket attacks targeting civilians in southern Israel by militant groups in Gaza.\u00a0 There was no justification under any circumstances for indiscriminate and deliberate violence against civilians, she said, emphasizing:\u00a0 \u201cThey must stop.\u201d\u00a0 Both Israelis and Palestinians had a right to live in safety, and both sides should exercise the utmost restraint, refraining from actions that could escalate the situation.\u00a0 She called upon all actors to ensure the protection of civilians and strict compliance with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.<\/p>\n

RIYAD H. MANSOUR, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>, urged the Security Council to act immediately to de-escalate the dangerous situation, deter the descent into more violence and chaos, and prevent the occupying Power from further terrorizing and endangering the Palestinian civilian population.\u00a0 He called upon the Council to protect the defenceless, and to stand firmly on the side of international law with a steady moral compass, and not fall prey to the cynical narrative that was constantly dragging both sides to the brink of war, thwarting all efforts to find a just solution.\u00a0 He also appealed for conscience and reason to prevail, while predicting that further escalation and deterioration of the situation were inevitable.\u00a0 \u201cWe must act to avert the worst\u2011case scenarios, for the risks are immense,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n

It was time to stop making excuses about why it was not the right time to act, continually absolving Israel of its crimes and facilitating its evasion of accountability, he continued.\u00a0 It was inexcusable for the international community to continue standing idly by, while only expressing regret yet failing to act.\u00a0 It was time to address the root causes and underlying issues of the situation, not just the symptoms, he stressed.\u00a0 \u201cWe have been brought here today precisely because of the constant mistake of detaching developments from the root causes and the reality of the existence of the Israeli occupation, dispossession and colonization of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

He went on to underline that the double standard over the Palestinian question was not new and was being reinforced by today\u2019s meeting.\u00a0 Perhaps some had already forgotten the 14\u00a0May slaughter of unarmed Palestinian civilians, including innocent children.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s suffocating blockade had depleted the coping capacities of the Palestinian people and intensified their despair, he said, declaring:\u00a0 \u201cDo not minimize their suffering.\u201d\u00a0 The events of the past few days had not occurred in a vacuum, he said, calling attention to the latest cycle of Israeli aggressions and rhetoric.\u00a0 Israel could not claim an exclusive right to security, and attempts to justify its illegal actions under that pretext were totally unacceptable, he stressed.<\/p>\n

DANNY DANON (Israel<\/u>) called on the Council to condemn Hamas for its war crimes against both Israelis and Palestinians, and to designate the organization as a terrorist group, exactly as it had done with Al-Qaida and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant\u00a0(ISIL\/Da\u2019esh).\u00a0 Recalling that Hamas and Islamic Jihad had fired nearly 200\u00a0rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel over the past 24\u00a0hours, he said the former had also incited and paid mobs to breach the border fence in recent weeks, opening fire upon Israeli soldiers and detonating explosives.\u00a0 He said the events of the last day had confirmed his delegation\u2019s countless warnings about Hamas, he said, adding that Iranian money had been used to pay rioters and Iranian rockets fired into Israel.\u00a0 \u201cWe have here a situation that is black and white,\u201d he said, stressing that while Israel had disengaged from Gaza in\u00a02005 Hamas had done nothing but terrorize his country and prolong the suffering of Gaza\u2019s population.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing that the current situation in Gaza was a direct result of Hamas\u2019 refusal to condemn violence, he said \u201cif there were no terror, there would be no restrictions, and it is the people of Gaza who would benefit most\u201d.\u00a0 There was no moral equivalence, nor any question of morality, yet some Council members were circulating a shameful draft resolution that failed to mention Hamas even once.\u00a0 \u201cThe idea that Hamas\u2019 violence is being rewarded by a resolution condemning Israel is absurd,\u201d he stressed, urging the Council to take action by designating Hamas as a terrorist organization \u2014 a move that would allow it to sanction the group\u2019s leaders, members and every person, entity or country with which it was associated.\u00a0 \u201cLet me be clear:\u00a0 if Israeli children are not allowed to sleep quietly at night, then the terrorists of Gaza will feel the might of the [Israel Defense Forces],\u201d he said, calling upon Council members to have the courage and moral clarity to take up his delegation\u2019s urgent proposals.<\/p>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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