Expectations are high for the first Palestinian elections in 15
years, UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland told a virtual meeting
of the Security Council on Thursday, urging international support
for the process.
“The successful completion of inclusive Palestinian elections is
a critical step toward renewing democratic legitimacy of the
Palestinian Government”, he said, speaking from
Jerusalem.
“These elections should also pave the way to uniting Gaza and the
West Bank under a single, legitimate national authority, which
would be an important step towards reconciliation and could
advance Middle East peace.”
Growing youth participation
Preparations continue for the Palestinian Legislative Council
elections set for 22 May, he reported.
Registration of candidates concluded on 31 March, and the final
lists are expected on 30 April, the start of the official
campaign period.
“Since my last briefing, a growing number of young people are
expected to participate in shaping their political future and
having the opportunity to vote for the first time”, he said.
The UN has been supporting the electoral process, engaging
regularly with parties and with the Central Elections Committee
(CEC).
“To date, the CEC has performed its duties with professionalism
and integrity, enhancing trust in the electoral process”, he
said. “I also underscore the critical role of election observers
to ensure respect for the results of a credible and transparent
process.”
COVID-19 'a formidable threat'
Mr. Wennesland also welcomed the CEC’s plans to implement special
measures for safe voting during the pandemic.
As of Thursday, there were more than 316,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the
occupied Palestinian territory, according to data from the World
Health Organization (WHO).
Addressing the crisis, he said COVID-19 continues to pose “a
formidable threat” across the occupied Palestinian territory and
vaccination must be ramped up.
“I am seriously concerned by the significant rise in active cases
in Gaza where the daily infection rate is reaching its highest
level since the onset of the pandemic. In the West Bank, many
hospitals remain at or near full capacity”, he said.
The envoy updated ambassadors on the vaccination campaign which
the Palestinian authorities rolled out last month.
More vaccines needed
More than 300,000 doses have been delivered so far, he reported,
and Israel also has continued efforts to vaccinate segments of
the Palestinian population in the West Bank, including East
Jerusalem. Additionally, more than 100,000 Palestinians who have
permits to enter Israel, have also been inoculated.
“As the socio-economic impact of the pandemic has significantly
exacerbated a seemingly never-ending fiscal and economic crisis
in both the West Bank and Gaza, support for the Palestinian
Government’s response must continue to be a priority,” the envoy
said.
“I welcome all efforts carried out thus far to vaccinate the
Palestinian population, but the process needs to be accelerated
and more vaccines are needed.”
