as a way to<\/a>\u00a0further trade, innovation, partnership and people-to-people exchanges in the Middle East.<\/p>\nALEKSANDRE OLMEDO (France<\/u>), calling on the Israeli authorities to use force proportionately, expressed shock about the killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jenin on 11\u00a0December.\u00a0 Civilian protection is an obligation under international humanitarian law, he underscored, also condemning settler violence targeting Palestinian civilians.\u00a0 All of this only heightens the risk of spiraling provocations and reprisals, he said, adding that those responsible for such violence must be held accountable.\u00a0 Also condemning all terrorist attacks perpetrated against Israelis, he reaffirmed his country\u2019s commitment to Israel’s security.\u00a0 \u201cThe priority today is to halt the Israeli settlement building policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem,\u201d he said. Expressing concern about the continuing evictions of Palestinians, the construction of outposts and announcements promising the legalization of such outposts, he said that the fait accompli policy must not undermine the two-State solution.<\/p>\n
MONA JUUL (Norway<\/u>), expressing concern about the killing of a 16-year-old girl last week during an Israeli military operation in Jenin, called on that country\u2019s security forces to exercise the utmost restraint in use of force.\u00a0 Noting continued settlement\u2011expansion, house demolitions, evictions and settler violence, she also pointed to reports of reprisals against human rights defenders in Palestine from several duty-bearers.\u00a0 The lack of political progress towards a sustainable solution has led many, both Israelis and Palestinians, to lose faith in the two-State solution, she said, calling for direct negotiations.\u00a0 Also highlighting the need for short-term solutions, including bolstering the ceasefire in Gaza and strengthening the Palestinian Authority, she said a strong and unified Palestinian leadership, with renewed democratic legitimacy, is essential.\u00a0 Recalling the courageous discussions that took place during the Oslo Accords, she said it proves that it is possible to bring arch enemies around a negotiating table.<\/p>\n
JUAN RAM\u00d3N DE LA FUENTE RAM\u00cdREZ (Mexico<\/u>) listed several actions over the years \u2014 including illegal settlements, demolitions, displacements and attacks on civilians \u2014 that are contrary to resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) and do not create an environment conducive to resolving the crisis.\u00a0 Responsibility to resume the peace process undoubtedly lies with the parties to the conflict, but it falls on the international community and the Council to sponsor a political process that aims to promote a fair and lasting peace in the region.\u00a0 Despite numerous resolutions over the past decade, the Council cannot remain unable to promote the peace and security that millions of Palestinian and Israeli children deserve.\u00a0 The good offices of regional actors, bilateral initiatives and discreet efforts must run in parallel with multilateral dialogue.\u00a0 During its two years on the Council, Mexico sought to contribute to a two-State solution, he said, adding that it will continue to do so based on mutual respect and full adherence to the rule of law.<\/p>\n
ZHANG JUN (China<\/u>), noting the President of China\u2019s peace initiatives, reiterated his country\u2019s support for Palestine to become a full member of the Â鶹APP, called for strengthening the Palestinian National Authority and welcomed progress in promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation.\u00a0 Calling for a larger-scale and more authoritative international peace conference, he encouraged Palestine and Israel to pursue common security.\u00a0 Condemning\u00a0<\/span>attacks against civilians and opposing the use of force by security forces, he recalled that Palestine and Israel are inseparable neighbours with indivisible security.\u00a0 Noting the Riyad Declaration, issued at the recent summit between China and Arab States, he urged Israel to cease all settlement activities.\u00a0 Reiterating support for improvement of Palestinian economy and its social development, he urged Israel to ease restrictions on the movement of people and goods, and the use of land in the occupied territories, while creating conditions for the development of the Palestinian community in the West Bank.<\/p>\nRONALDO COSTA FILHO (Brazil<\/u>) said the Secretary-General\u2019s latest report paints a worrisome picture to all who aspire to achieve a two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.\u00a0 Ongoing settlement activities do not contribute to peace efforts.\u00a0 Noting the surge in violence against civilians, including children, he called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions that could further escalate tensions and cause more violence.\u00a0 International humanitarian law and human rights law must be strictly observed and the most vulnerable, particularly children, must never be targeted by attacks of any sort.\u00a0 The violence must stop and all perpetrators must be held accountable, he stated, calling also on leaders on all sides to cease provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric.\u00a0 Spotlighting the urgent need to address the conflict\u2019s driving forces, he said that simply managing the conflict with no end in sight is not an option.\u00a0 He went on to voice concern over a lack of sufficient funding for UNRWA and WFP and hoped that donors will respond to their needs.<\/p>\n
MICHEL XAVIER BIANG (Gabon<\/u>) said implementation of resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) is very much below expectations, noting that settlement activities and the expropriation and demolition of Palestinian property have continued.\u00a0 Violence against civilians and acts of terror have increased without perpetrators being held accountable, while clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces have continued with an unheard-of level of violence, making 2022\u00a0the deadliest year since\u00a02005.\u00a0 This cycle of violence and bloodshed is untenable, he said, stressing that Council must work harder to put an end to it and to make conditions available for lasting peace in the region.\u00a0 Noting the fragile political and security situation in the occupied West Bank, he called on parties to exercise restraint and engage frankly in a constructive dialogue.\u00a0 Reaffirming his country\u2019s commitment to a two-State solution, he called on the international community to fund UNRWA and WFP to tackle the increasing humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people.\u00a0 He also called on parties to prioritize the issue of the return of human remains for Israeli and Palestinian families.<\/p>\n
VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation<\/u>) noted the worrying regularity of spikes of violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, affirming that the situation will remain volatile until the parties reach mutually acceptable agreements on all final status issues based on the universally recognized two-State solution.\u00a0 Since the beginning of\u00a02022, it is estimated that 158\u00a0people have been killed in the West Bank and 52\u00a0in Gaza, with a young girl killed in Jenin just last week.\u00a0 In parallel, the expropriation of Palestinian property, the demolition of houses and the systematic violation of the status quo of Jerusalem\u2019s holy sites continue.\u00a0 Against this background, he noted the United States, on fabricated grounds, withdrew from participation in the Quartet of international mediators, calling for the earliest possible resumption of its activities. \u00a0History has proven more than once that United States attempts to monopolize the Middle East process are untenable and doomed to failure, only resulting in increased antagonism between Palestinians and Israelis.\u00a0 Efforts by the United States to resolve the conflict on its own in\u00a02014 brought the peace process to a state of stagnation, where it remains to this day.\u00a0 Stressing that there is no alternative to direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis on all parameters of a final resolution, he voiced support for the block of resolutions in the General Assembly last week.<\/p>\n
MARTIN KIMANI (Kenya<\/u>), called for increased international engagement to relaunch a genuine Israeli-Palestinian peace process, highlighting the need to create conditions conducive to resolving all final status issues, considering the legitimate concerns of both sides.\u00a0 The implementation of Council resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) requires the political will of both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, he said, stressing in particular, the need to implement operative paragraph\u00a011 of that text, which calls for the presentation of clear objectives and timelines.\u00a0 That will better position the Council to examine practical ways and means to secure the full implementation of the resolution, he said.\u00a0 It is essential to stabilize the situation and reverse the negative trends which are undermining the prospects of a two-State solution.\u00a0 The statistics concerning the violent incidents, arrests and fatalities that took place in the three months of the reporting period are alarming, he said, highlighting the need for efforts to ensure the protection of children.<\/p>\n
FERGAL TOMAS MYTHEN (Ireland<\/u>), calling once again on Israel to cease all settlement activities, expressed concern over the plight of children.\u00a0 He condemned in the strongest terms the killing of Jana Zakarneh and called for accountability in respect of civilian deaths.\u00a0 The \u201cduty of hope\u201d requires restraint and de-escalation on all sides, as well as the need to address root causes of the conflict.\u00a0 Lamenting reduced space for civil society in the occupied territories, he urged Israel to reverse its decision on designating human rights non-governmental organizations as terrorist entities.\u00a0 On the forced deportation of Salah Hammouri, he said that the Palestinian-French lawyer be allowed to return home.\u00a0 He went on to welcome the extension of UNRWA\u2019s mandate.<\/p>\n
FERIT HOXHA (Albania<\/u>) said the mood in the Council Chamber is not much different from the last meeting, with the situation on the ground still affected by heightened risks and threats of further escalation.\u00a0 Unilateral steps in the Middle East are always problematic, but they become dangerous in a fragile and persistently hostile environment.\u00a0 Calling for maximum restraint by both parties, as well as full investigation of all acts affecting civilians on both sides, he expressed full support for Council resolution\u00a02601\u00a0(2021) and reiterated his condemnation of all terror attacks against Israel.\u00a0 Deploring the shooting and killing of a Â鶹APP peacekeeper in Lebanon, he said that the protection of \u201cblue helmets\u201d is a must and that a full investigation of that tragic incident must be carried out without delay.\u00a0 Demolitions and increased settlement activity do not comply with international law or resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016), nor do they \u2011 or violence and inflammatory rhetoric \u2011 contribute towards a solution.\u00a0 As people turn towards Bethlehem and Jerusalem for seasonal celebrations, safeguarding holy sites and preserving the status quo is paramount, he said.<\/p>\n
MOHAMED ISSA ABUSHAHAB (United Arab Emirates<\/u>), urging the Council to intensify political and diplomatic efforts, called on Israel to stop its settlement activities and reverse its plans to build new settlement units.\u00a0 The United Arab Emirates rejects any steps aimed at annexing Palestinian lands and legitimizing such actions.\u00a0 Israel must assume its responsibilities in accordance with international law and Â鶹APP resolutions, refrain from inciting rhetoric and focus instead on reducing violence, including by ending settler-related violence, as well as the demolitions and evictions of Palestinian buildings.\u00a0 Turning to the need to revive the Middle East peace process, he called for intensified international engagement to build confidence and urged both sides to use wisdom, show serious political will to return to negotiations and commit to the two-State solution.\u00a0 Any unilateral measures affecting the legal status of Jerusalem and the holy sites are a violation of international law which threatens to exacerbate tensions, he said, also reaffirming the need to respect Jordan\u2019s custodianship of Jerusalem\u2019s holy sites.<\/p>\n
HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN (Ghana<\/u>) called for full investigations into the incident that killed a 16-year-old Palestinian girl during a raid by the Israel Defense Forces.\u00a0 He also called once again on Israel to protect civilians, observe the principles of distinction and proportionality, and exercise maximum restraint in the use of force.\u00a0 Condemning indiscriminate attacks on Â鶹APP peacekeepers and all civilian personnel and all acts of terror and violence against civilians, he urged both parties to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric.\u00a0 He further called on Israel\u2019s Government to not continue with plans to expand or create settlements, particularly in and around East Jerusalem, and not to proceed with the legalization of unauthorized settlements, including potential future measures that would support settlers and settlement activities in the West Bank, such as changing the law that currently prohibits settlers from living in the Homesh outpost.\u00a0 Both sides must show maximum restraint and refrain from unilateral actions that could escalate tensions to stabilize the situation, reverse negative trends on the ground and create the conditions for negotiations to advance the two-State solution.<\/p>\n
BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom<\/u>), reaffirming her country\u2019s commitment to the core tenets of resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016), said that the death of a 16-year-old on 12\u00a0December during an Israeli arrest operation is another tragic reminder of the conflict\u2019s human cost.\u00a0 She urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint in its use of live fire.\u00a0 She also called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together to de-escalate tensions, continue security cooperation and end the violence seen in\u00a02022.\u00a0 Recalling the demolition of a donor-funded school in the South Hebron Hills and the threatened demolition of a second school funded in part by the United Kingdom, she said that the Oslo Accords are clear:\u00a0 Area\u00a0C of the West Bank should be gradually transferred to Palestinian jurisdiction.\u00a0 She added that donors must provide urgent support to UNRWA, which is critical to regional stability.<\/p>\n
RUCHIRA KAMBOJ (India<\/u>), Council President for December, speaking in her national capacity, recalled that the Council adopted resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) to prevent the erosion of the two-State solution and to underscore the need for collective efforts to relaunch negotiations.\u00a0 Expressing concern about all acts of violence, she cautioned against unilateral measures that unduly alter the status quo on the ground, adding that the Council must send a strong signal against any steps that would prevent the possibility of durable peace between Israel and Palestine.\u00a0 The absence of a political process to achieve a viable two-State solution remains the biggest impediment to the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question, she said, adding that terror attacks and violence continue to create mutual suspicion among the parties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
9224TH MEETING (AM) SC\/15146 19 DECEMBER 2022 Fran\u00e7ais\u00a0 Video The deepening occupation, increase in violence and absence of a political horizon have empowered extremists and are eroding hope, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process told the Security Council today as he called on all parties to undertake concrete steps that will change […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[657,723,759,834,5615,5533,882,894,915,981,1029,1074,1197,2321,2553],"document-category":[1329,2805,4389],"document-source":[1362,6169,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1829,1937,2005,4317,2029,1857,2613,2185,1805,2385,2137,1917,6245],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-284460","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-albania","country-brazil","country-china","country-france","country-gabon","country-ghana","country-india","country-ireland","country-kenya","country-mexico","country-norway","country-russian-federation","country-united-arab-emirates","country-united-kingdom","country-united-states-of-america","document-category-press-release","document-category-video","document-category-webcast","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-department-of-global-communications","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-economic-issues","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-governance","document-subject-house-demolitions","document-subject-incidents","document-subject-internally-displaced-persons","document-subject-legal-issues","document-subject-occupation","document-subject-security-issues","document-subject-settlements","document-subject-situation-in-the-opt-including-jerusalem","document-subject-violence","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/284460","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\/284460\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=284460"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=284460"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=284460"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=284460"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=284460"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=284460"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=284460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}