{"id":251131,"date":"2021-05-10T17:17:32","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T21:17:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=251131"},"modified":"2021-05-12T17:30:51","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T21:30:51","slug":"situation-in-jerusalem-10-may-2021-daily-press-briefing-excerpts","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/situation-in-jerusalem-10-may-2021-daily-press-briefing-excerpts\/","title":{"rendered":"Situation in Jerusalem \u2013 10 May 2021 Daily Press Briefing \u2013 (Excerpts)"},"content":{"rendered":"

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,<\/strong><\/p>\n

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANT\u00d3NIO GUTERRES<\/strong><\/p>\n

MONDAY, 10 MAY 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIDDLE EAST<\/strong>
\nThe Council started its work this morning with closed consultations on the Middle East. Council members heard an update on the situation in occupied East Jerusalem from the UN Special Coordinator, Tor Wennesland.<\/p>\n

As for the situation on the ground, a number of you have been asking me before the briefing and I can tell you that the Secretary-General is following with deep concern the latest security developments, which risk triggering yet another dangerous escalation leading to further violence and loss of lives. He condemns in the strongest terms the launching of rockets from Gaza into Israel,\u202fwhich have reportedly been claimed by Hamas,\u202fparticularly the targeting of civilian population centres. He urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint. Special Coordinator Mr. Wennesland is working closely with all concerned parties to restore calm. His office is monitoring the situation closely.<\/p>\n

In a statement we issued last night, the Secretary-General expressed his deep concern over the continuing violence in occupied East Jerusalem, as well as the possible evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods. He urges Israel to cease demolitions and evictions, in line with obligations under international humanitarian and international human rights law.<\/p>\n

Israeli authorities must exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. All leaders have a responsibility to act against extremists and to speak out against all acts of violence and incitement. The Secretary-General urges that the status quo of the holy sites be upheld and respected, and if we have more, as the situation is unfolding, we may have more for you later this afternoon.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Questions and Answers<\/u><\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 [Inaudible] condemns the rocket launch from Gaza by Hamas, but I didn’t hear you talking about condemnation for Israeli actions against, violence against Palestinian civilians?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I think that is reflected in the, it’s reflected in the statement, where we urge the Israelis to cease demolitions and evictions in line with obligations under international, humanitarian international law and that the Israeli authorities need to use maximum restraint and respect, the right for people to assemble freely, and that’s what we saw over the weekend in\u2026 this is\u2026 in response to what we saw in response over\u2026 to what we saw in Jerusalem over the weekend.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Yeah, but does the Secretary\u2011General condemn the Israeli violence against Palestinians?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 The Secretary\u2011General is against any violence against civilians.\u00a0 People have a right to demonstrate freely, and people should be demonstrating peacefully to express their opinion.\u00a0 Madame?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Steph, a follow\u2011up on East Jerusalem.\u00a0 Can you tell us how many Palestinians have been injured during the clashes over the weekend? \u00a0And also, has the Secretary\u2011General talked with the Israeli Prime Minister? \u00a0And not only civilians, but also journalists have been injured, including three of my colleagues over the weekend.\u00a0 What is your reaction to that?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Look, we stand against any, anything that would stop\u2026 make unable journalists to do their work in any circumstances.\u00a0 That’s been our position.\u00a0 There have been different numbers reported in the press.\u00a0 I don’t have any UN numbers to give you.\u00a0 Right now, what we have seen is the numbers reported by the Palestinian Red Crescent, reported by the Israeli authorities, as well, but I don’t have any UN numbers to give you at this point.\u00a0 Edie, and then Cel\u2026 sorry, go ahead.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 [Inaudible]?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 No, he has not spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister.\u00a0 Mr.\u00a0Wennesland is in touch with all sides, the Israelis and Palestinians, and his office is, as well.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Can you share or will you share the remarks of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East? \u00a0He briefed the Council, as you said this morning.\u00a0 Are you going to share it with us?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 No, those were remarks delivered in closed consultations.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Two quick questions on East Jerusalem.\u00a0 First is, does the Secretary\u2011General consider it a provocation that the Jerusalem Day Flag Parade routes should go through the Damascus Gate? \u00a0That’s the first one.\u00a0 And then, second, on East Jerusalem is, can you give us any more detail about how Mr.\u00a0Wennesland is going about his de\u2011escalation efforts here? \u00a0Where does he think that the crucial effort in these moments should be placed?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 The crucial effort should be placed on ensuring the safety of civilians.\u00a0 Right? \u00a0That’s the, an immediate need.\u00a0 Mr.\u00a0Wennesland and his team are talking to all relevant parties to try to de\u2011escalate tensions, and that’s something that we need to see across the board.\u00a0 I don’t know what the exact route of the parade, you know, what route the parade took.\u00a0 What is important is that we don’t want to see anything from anyone that would provoke more violence and provoke more injuries.<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you, Steph.\u00a0 I just have a short follow\u2011up to East Jerusalem.\u00a0 Does the Secretary\u2011General see one of the conflict parties as the aggressor in this newly\u2026 in this violence?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Look, there is a cycle of violence that must cease, and for that cycle to be broken, all parties need to participate.\u00a0 Joe?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Does the Secretary\u2011General have any comment on the decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to delay its decision on whether to order the eviction of the Palestinian occupants of the residences of East Jerusalem that was announced, I believe, yesterday?<\/p>\n

\/…<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 Just a follow\u2011up, if the court\u2026 the Supreme Court of Israel were to reach a decision that results in evictions, through the Israeli judicial process, would that alone be considered a violation of international law by the Secretary\u2011General?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I’m not going to speculate on what\u2011ifs.\u00a0 Our position is\u2026 our position is clear today, and it will not\u2026 I don’t anticipate it changing at any time.\u00a0 Madame.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>: [Inaudible]?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Well, I think it’s pretty clear the Secretary\u2011General urges Israel to cease demolitions and evictions in line with its obligations under international humanitarian and international human rights law.\u00a0 Iftikhar, I think you had a question, and then we’ll go to Michelle.\u00a0 Sorry.\u00a0 Iftikhar and then Michelle.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thank you, Steph.\u00a0 The situation in East Jerusalem, as you stated, is extremely serious, and the Secretary\u2011General agrees with that.\u00a0 Does he plan to use his authority under Article\u00a099 to bring the situation\u2026 convene the Security Council?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 Well, I mean, it seems to me that the Security Council is fully seized of the issue given that the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, is on its agenda.<\/p>\n

Correspondent<\/u>:\u00a0 But, Article\u00a099 authorizes him to convene a meeting\u2026<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I know what Article\u00a099 says.\u00a0 What I’m saying to you, Iftikhar, is that I think all the parties\u2026 the Security Council is already fully seized of the issue.\u00a0 This is not an issue, this is an issue which is already front and centre on the agenda of the Security Council.\u00a0 Latest example is the closed consultations that took place today.\u00a0 Michelle Nichols?<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Thanks, Steph.\u00a0 Couple of things.\u00a0 On Wednesday, you’re probably aware of this event on Xinjiang that a few Member States are organizing.\u00a0 Has anyone from the UN been invited to attend or brief?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 There is\u2026 my understanding is that no one from the UN is participating in this particular meeting.<\/p>\n

Question<\/u>:\u00a0 Were they invited, though? \u00a0Why aren’t they participating?<\/p>\n

Spokesman<\/u>:\u00a0 I’m not aware of any invitation officially being extended.<\/p>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANT\u00d3NIO GUTERRES MONDAY, 10 MAY 2021 MIDDLE EAST The Council started its work this morning with closed consultations on the Middle East. Council members heard an update on the situation in occupied East Jerusalem from the UN Special Coordinator, Tor Wennesland. As for the […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2573],"document-source":[5352,1362,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[2849,2401,1741,1857,2613,1961,2297,2185,5033,2385,2137,6245],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[],"class_list":["post-251131","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-highlights-of-the-noon-briefing","document-source-secretary-general","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-annexation","document-subject-holy-places","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-incidents","document-subject-internally-displaced-persons","document-subject-jerusalem","document-subject-land","document-subject-legal-issues","document-subject-protests","document-subject-security-issues","document-subject-settlements","document-subject-violence","entity-united-nations-system"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/251131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/251131\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=251131"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=251131"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=251131"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=251131"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=251131"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=251131"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=251131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}