Regardless of any national policy declarations, Israeli settlement
activities are “a flagrant violation under international law”, the
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process spelled
out to the Security Council on Wednesday.
Regretting the United States’ announcement on Monday that it “no
longer views settlements as inconsistent with international law”,
Nickolay Mladenov told the 15-member Council that “the UN
position remains unchanged”.
And he called the settlements “a major obstacle to the
achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and
comprehensive peace”.
“Unilateral moves fuel anger and disillusionment and
significantly undermine the prospects for establishing a
contiguous and viable Palestinian State with Jerusalem as the
future capital of both States”, he stressed.
Gaza ‘highly volatile’
Briefing ambassadors inside the chamber, the Special Coordinator
noted that the Council was meeting just a few days after “the
most serious recent escalation between Israel and Palestinian
militants in Gaza”.
He acknowledged that the immediate crisis was diffused but
maintained that “the situation remains highly volatile”.
Mr. Mladenov painted a picture of militant activity, rocket fire
and retaliatory air-strikes that had claimed civilian lives on
both sides.
Recognizing Egypt’s close collaboration with the UN in brokering
a ceasefire, he reported that calm in Gaza was restored after 48
hours of hostilities, but added that “had our efforts failed, we
would certainly be in the midst of another war that would be far
worse than the terrible conflict in 2014”.
Flagging that “the dangers have not passed”, he reminded that
indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks against civilians are
“unacceptable and must stop immediately”.
‘Desperate reality’
Turning to other risks, Mr. Mladenov cited Israeli border
closures and intra-Palestinian division between various factions
in Gaza, as feeding “a desperate reality”.
While over the past year and a half, the UN has taken steps to
ease tensions and prevent escalation, he asserted, “they fall
short in terms of financial resources, political commitment by
Palestinian leaders, and measures by Israel”.
A lasting solution, must be political: “Israel cannot continue
with its policy of closures that stifles development” he argued,
and “Palestinian leaders cannot continue to avoid the devastating
consequences of their internal political division”.
The Special Coordinator reminded the Council of its ultimate goal
to help “Palestinians to develop freely, without relentless
occupation, and Israelis to live in security, free from the fear
of terror and rockets”.
Women ‘disproportionately affected’
Tanya Hary, Director of the Israeli human rights organization
Gisha, Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, presented a sober
analysis of the situation for Council members, sharing stories
that illustrated the difficulties of living under Gaza
restrictions.
She highlighted that “women are disproportionately affected” and
maintained that it was incumbent upon the international community
to allow “maximum access”, lift restrictions on goods and
“catalyze peace” by reversing current trends.
