Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and their
international partners, must urgently resume peace efforts “before
it is too late”, UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov told the
Security Council on Tuesday, echoing the
Secretary-General.
“We are again at a pivotal moment in the search for peace as
convergence of destabilizing factors threatens to pull Israelis
and Palestinians further towards a one-State reality of perpetual
occupation and conflict,” he warned, speaking by videoconference
from Jerusalem.
“I reiterate the Secretary-General’s call to the members of the
Middle East Quartet, key Arab partners, and to the Israeli and
Palestinian leadership, to urgently re-engage and strengthen
efforts to advance the goal of a negotiated two-State solution
before it is too late.”
Recent welcoming developments
Mr. Mladenov, officially the Special Coordinator for the Middle
East Peace Process, was presenting the latest UN report on the
region, covering the period from 5 June through 20 September.
Prior to this, he highlighted recent welcome developments on the
political front, such as Israel’s agreements with the United Arab
Emirates and Bahrain, which led to the suspension of plans to
annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
The envoy was also encouraged by efforts to strengthen
Palestinian unity. He noted that meetings between the two biggest
Palestinian factions Fatah, which controls the West Bank, and
Hamas, which controls Gaza, ended with a call for long-awaited
elections.
“Elections and legitimate democratic institutions are critical to
uniting Gaza and the West Bank under a single national authority,
and vital to upholding the prospect of a negotiated two-State
solution”, he told ambassadors.
Pandemic eroding peace prospects
However, Mr. Mladenov stressed that “developments during the
reporting period cannot be divorced from the broader context”,
listing actions by both sides which included Israel’s ongoing
occupation of Palestinian territory, as well as illegal
settlement activity and demolitions, and rocket fire and militant
activity by the Palestinians.
These factors, together with the COVID-19 pandemic,
collectively erode the prospects for a viable two-State solution,
he stated.
Mr. Mladenov reported that the resurgence of COVID-19 is having
“a devastating effect” on the ground, describing the situation as
an urgent health crisis. The UN and partners will continue to
support response, including by addressing critical gaps in
medical supplies and equipment.
“It is important to focus particularly on Gaza, given the unique
situation and extreme vulnerability of the population”, he
advised. “Any increased responsibility taken on by the UN should
be limited, timebound and not replace the responsibilities of the
Palestinian Authority or the Government of Israel.”
Although there was limited settlement advancement during the
reporting period, Mr. Mladenov expressed concern over
construction plans in “sensitive” areas of the occupied West
Bank.
He also called for Israel to cease demolition and seizures of
Palestinian-owned structures, while both sides were urged to work
to address the “severe economic and health crisis” facing the
Palestinian people.
“Daily violence continues to fuel mistrust and drives further
from a peaceful resolution of the conflict”, Mr. Mladenov
continued. He urged Israel to hold perpetrators behind
settler-related attacks accountable, and for Palestinian
militants in Gaza to stop launching indiscriminate rockets and
incendiary devices into Israel.
Personal commitment
Acknowledging this current “pivotal moment”, Mr. Mladenov
underlined his support for efforts towards peace.
“I remain committed to supporting both sides to resolve the
conflict and end the occupation in line with relevant UN
resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements in
pursuit of achieving the vision of two States – Israel and an
independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign
Palestinian State – within secure and recognized borders, based
on the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both
States”, he said
