{"id":285554,"date":"2023-02-22T16:42:55","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T21:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&#038;p=285554"},"modified":"2023-02-22T16:42:55","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T21:42:55","slug":"warning-situation-in-opt-at-its-most-combustible-in-years-secretary-general-urges-action-to-slash-tensions-press-release-sg-sm-21965","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/warning-situation-in-opt-at-its-most-combustible-in-years-secretary-general-urges-action-to-slash-tensions-press-release-sg-sm-21965\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning Situation in OPT &#8220;at its Most Combustible&#8221; in Years, Secretary-General Urges Action to Slash Tensions \u2013 Press Release (SG\/SM\/21965)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-field-symbol field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item\" style=\"text-align: right;\">SG\/SM\/21965<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"field field--name-field-dated field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><time datetime=\"2023-02-22T12:00:00Z\">22 FEBRUARY 2023<\/time><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/media.un.org\/en\/asset\/k19\/k19hporfvq\">Video of 410th meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Following are UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres\u2019 remarks at the opening of the 2023 session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in New York today:<\/p>\n<p>It is my privilege to join this meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.\u00a0 I congratulate the Chair, Ambassador Cheikh Niang, and other members of the Bureau on your election. \u00a0And I commend all of you for your tireless commitment.<\/p>\n<p>We meet as the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is at its most combustible in years.\u00a0 Just this morning, we had more deeply concerning news.\u00a0 An operation by Israeli security forces and ensuing clash in Nablus left 10\u00a0Palestinians dead and over 80\u00a0injured.<\/p>\n<p>Deadly cycles of violence keep accelerating.\u00a0 Tensions are sky high.\u00a0 And the peace process remains stalled.\u00a0 The situation in Jerusalem\/Al-Quds is becoming more fragile amidst provocations and acts of violence in and around the holy sites.\u00a0 It radiates instability across the region and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>The position of the Â鶹APP is clear: \u00a0The status of Jerusalem cannot be altered by unilateral actions.\u00a0 Jerusalem\u2019s demographic and historical character must be preserved \u2014 and the status quo at the holy sites must be upheld, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.<\/p>\n<p>2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinians since the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs began systematically tracking fatalities in\u00a02005.\u00a0 Two months into the new year, violence rages on without reprieve.\u00a0 Across the occupied West Bank and Gaza, hopelessness is spreading, feeding anger and despair.\u00a0 Each new settlement is another roadblock on the path to peace.\u00a0 All settlement activity is illegal under international law. \u00a0And it must stop.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, incitement to violence is a dead end.\u00a0 Nothing justifies terrorism. \u00a0It must be rejected by all.\u00a0 Our immediate priority must be to prevent further escalation, reduce tensions and restore calm.<\/p>\n<p>I am deeply concerned by Israel\u2019s recent punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority following the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/israeli-practices-affecting-the-human-rights-of-the-palestinian-people-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-including-east-jerusalem-ga-resolution-a-res-77-247\/\">resolution<\/a> of the General Assembly seeking an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the occupation.\u00a0 There should be no retaliation with respect to the Palestinian Authority in relation to the International Court of Justice.\u00a0 These measures risk further destabilizing the Palestinian Authority at a time when it is already struggling with a dire fiscal crisis that is undermining its ability to provide services to people.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, another vital lifeline for Palestinians \u2014 the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNWRA) \u2014 continues to confront the impossible task of meeting soaring needs with stagnating funding.\u00a0 And yet, UNRWA remains remarkably resilient, high-performing and highly cost-effective.\u00a0 I urge all donors to live up to their commitments and ensure UNRWA has the predictable and sustained support it needs to fulfil its critical mission.<\/p>\n<p>In this context, let me also note the importance of easing the movement of goods and people in and out of the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 I reiterate my call to work towards a full lifting of the debilitating closures in line with Â鶹APP Security Council resolution\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-181860\/\">1860<\/a>\u00a0(2009).<\/p>\n<p>Our ultimate goals remain unchanged: end the occupation, realize a two-State solution.\u00a0 But, we must face today\u2019s reality.\u00a0 The truth is that trends on the ground mean time is working against us.\u00a0 The longer we go without meaningful political negotiations, the further these goals slip from the reach.<\/p>\n<p>Regional and international partners must collectively work \u2014 with greater urgency and determination \u2014 to help Palestinians and Israelis restore a credible political horizon.\u00a0 The outlines of the solution are clear \u2014 they are laid out in Â鶹APP resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.<\/p>\n<p>What is needed is the political will and courage to make the difficult choices for peace.\u00a0 A peace that ends the occupation and ensures two States \u2014 Israel and an independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian State \u2014 living side by side within secure and recognized borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.\u00a0 A peace in which Palestinians and Israelis alike enjoy equal measures of democracy, opportunity and dignity in their lives.\u00a0 A peace, in short, that is just, comprehensive and lasting.<\/p>\n<p>I pledge to keep working to support this goal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SG\/SM\/21965 22 FEBRUARY 2023 Video of 410th meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People Following are UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres\u2019 remarks at the opening of the 2023 session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in New York today: It <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/warning-situation-in-opt-at-its-most-combustible-in-years-secretary-general-urges-action-to-slash-tensions-press-release-sg-sm-21965\/\"> 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