The deteriorating security situation in the occupied West Bank,
including East Jerusalem, took centre stage at the Security
Council on Tuesday as the UN Special Coordinator for the peace
process in the region, expressed his “continued concern” over
recent developments.
Tor Wennesland painted a grim picture of “clashes, attacks,
military operations” and continued settler-related violence
amidst a severe fiscal and economic crisis in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory (OPT).
“It is crucial that all parties take immediate steps to
lower tensions and restore calm”, he said, warning that if
left unchecked, the situation in the West Bank would further
deteriorate – impacting security in Gaza and undermining the
fragile peace that has held since May.
Detailing occurrences
Devoting his briefing to the implementation of Resolution 2334 (2016),
which calls for the cessation of all settlement activities in the
OPT, the Special Coordinator said that “violent incidents have
unfortunately continued”.
While updating ambassadors on a host of incidents, he said
that14 Palestinians had been killed, along with three
Israelis, since 29 September.
He mentioned that the most recent confrontation had occurred on
Sunday, when hundreds of settlers attempted to enter the Homesh
outpost to set up illegal structures, breaking through Israel
Security Forces’ (ISF) barricades and using violence against
Israeli soldiers, “including hitting one soldier with a vehicle”.
Meanwhile, there have been some positive developments, such as a
virtual meeting between United States and Palestinian officials
last Tuesday to renew the US-Palestinian Economic Dialogue – the
first such meeting in five years.
Exacerbating mistrust
Reminding that Israeli settlements constitute “a flagrant
violation” of UN resolutions and international law, Mr.
Wennesland drew attention to the advancement of building plans in
areas “crucial for the contiguity of a future Palestinian State”,
including Atarot and Givat Hamatos.
“I call on the Government of Israel to cease the advancement of
all settlement activities immediately”, he said.
The Special Coordinator also raised the alarm
over pending evictions of Palestinian families from
homes that they have lived in for decades in the
Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem,
calling on Israeli authorities to “end the displacement and
eviction of Palestinians”, and enable them to “build legally and
address their development needs”.
He also welcomed plans for several thousand Palestinians housing
units in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Issawiya
and in Area C, urging Israel to continue advancing these types of
projects and issuing building permits for previously approved
Palestinian plans in Area C and East Jerusalem.
“The continuing violence, incitement to violence and attacks
against civilians, including acts of terrorism
and settler-related violence, exacerbate mistrust
and undermine a peaceful resolution to the
conflict”, said Mr. Wennesland.
“There can be no justification for such acts; they must be
condemned by all… and all perpetrators must be held accountable”.
Deteriorating security
To maintain calm, strengthen Palestinian institutions and restore
hope, the parties must make concerted efforts to reverse the
deteriorating security and socio-economic situation across the
OPT”, the UN official said.
“Furthermore, steps by all parties are urgently
needed to shore up the economic and institutional stability of
the PA [Palestinian National Authority], including
through the implementation of needed reforms”, he added.
And more must be done to solidify the cessation of hostilities
and meet the needs of the population in the Gaza Strip.
“For any durable stability, movement and access in and out of the
Strip must be improved, with a view to a full lifting of the
closures in line with UN Security
Council resolution
1860 (2009)”, Mr. Wennesland stated.
Address ‘festering conflict drivers’
In closing, the UN official observed that the rising levels of
violence in recent weeks “should be a clear warning to us all”.
“If left unaddressed, the festering conflict drivers…will
drag us into yet another destructive and bloody round of
violence. We must act now to prevent that from
happening”, he said.
Mr. Wennesland urged all parties to take positive steps and
implement reforms that increase the PA’s ability to deliver for
the Palestinian people while simultaneously halting actions that
undermine its authority.
He said 2021 had been “a year of significant shifts in the
political context affecting this conflict” that has posed “one of
the most challenging set of circumstances to face the Palestinian
Authority since its establishment” and maintained his
determination to find opportunities next year to reverse the
current “negative trajectory”, while working towards constructive
engagement.
“The UN remains committed to supporting Palestinians and
Israelis to resolve the conflict and end the
occupation through the achievement of a two-State solution, in
line with relevant United Nations resolutions, international law
and bilateral agreements”, he concluded.
