Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, the UK's Deputy
Permanent Representative to the UN at the Security Council
briefing on the Middle East Peace Process
Before I start I’d like to stress, as my Foreign Secretary has
said, the United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the
terrorist attacks of 17 January, claimed by the Houthis against
civilian sites in Abu Dhabi. We extend our condolences to the
victims and their families.
Turning to the topic of today’s discussion, my thanks to the
Special Coordinator for his briefing. I’d like also to thank our
two briefers from EcoPeace. You have demonstrated today how
climate and environmental impacts can be both a source of
insecurity but also a driver of cooperation between communities.
The United Kingdom supports your call for greater regional
cooperation on joint environmental threats. The solar-water
agreement between Israel, Jordan and the UAE in November
illustrates the value of such efforts.
Madam President, I wanted to pay thanks to Norway for your
leadership on economic coordination between the parties.
Including chairing, in November, the first in-person Ad Hoc
Liaison Committee in two years. Both parties committed there to
enhancing dialogue and expressed a willingness to reinvigorate
the long-stalled Joint Economic Committee. The UK calls on both
parties to advance these goals as we approach the next Ad Hoc
Liaison Committee this coming March.
The UK welcomes continued engagement between the Government of
Israel and the Palestinian Authority, including direct meetings
between Defence Minister Gantz and President Abbas, and
discussions between the Ministries of Finance aimed at improving
the economic conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Such direct engagement is vital given the scale of the current
challenges. We urge Israel and the PA to accelerate efforts to
improve the financial situation and the economic and humanitarian
conditions in the West Bank and Gaza. We welcome the appointment
of new Palestinian Ministers of the Interior and Awqaf and
continue to urge the Palestinian Authority to deliver reforms
towards greater accountability, transparency and efficacy.
Madam President, on 17 January British diplomats witnessed the
attempted eviction of the Salhia family who live and run a
business in Sheikh Jarrah. Earlier this morning authorities
returned to demolish their home and arrested members of the
family. We again urge the Government of Israel to cease such
policies. Evictions are against international humanitarian law in
all but the most exceptional circumstances, and cause unnecessary
suffering.
Also on 17 January, as we have heard, approval was given to the
‘lower aqueduct’ settlement plan representing nearly 1,500
housing units, some of which fall outside the Green Line, and to
be built between Givat Hamatos and Har Homa. Madam President, we
urge the Government of Israel to permanently end its settlement
expansion and settlement activity, which heightens tension and
threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.
The UK condemns the attempted stabbing attack on an IDF solider
in the West Bank on 17 January. This incident follows several
attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers at the end of last
year. We call for the parties to work together to condemn
violence and minimise tension.
Stability in Gaza remains a focus for the UK. We condemn the
firing of missiles from Gaza towards Israel at the start of
January and we urge all sides to work to sustain the calm.
Madam President, we urge both parties to avoid unilateral actions
harmful to peace, which risk undermining the engagement between
the Israeli Government and the Palestinian leadership I referred
to at the beginning of my statement. We call on both parties to
work together to create the foundations for future progress
towards a two-state solution.
