Rising tensions and instability across the globe, particularly in
the Middle East, underscore the need to resolve the decades-long
conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, the UN
Secretary-General told the Security Council on
Tuesday.
António Guterres was
delivering introductory
remarks at an open briefing held just
weeks after United States President Donald Trump
announced a controversial peace plan for the
region.
With the Palestinian President present in
the Council chamber, together with Israel’s
Ambassador, the UN chief reiterated
the Organization’s continued support for a
two-State solution: “This is a time for dialogue, for
reconciliation, for reason”, he said.
“I urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders to demonstrate the
necessary will required to advance the goal of a just and lasting
peace, which the international community must support.”
Time to ‘move the process forward’: Mladenov
The US plan would legalize Israeli settlements in the West Bank
and East Jerusalem and allow annexation of parts of the West
Bank, while Jerusalem would remain the “undivided” capital
of Israel, among other proposals.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace
Process reported that it has
been rejected by the Palestinian Government, the League
of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation and some members of the African
Union.
"Today is the time to hear proposals on how to move the process
forward”, said Nickolay Mladenov,
“and to find our way back to a mutually agreed mediation
framework that ensures meaningful negotiations can
restart."
He added that there had
been a violent reaction throughout the
occupied West Bank and in Gaza shortly after it was
unveiled.
“Just as unilateral steps will not resolve the conflict, those
who reject the proposal should not turn to violence. That
would be the worst possible response at this sensitive moment,”
he said.
“Indeed, what is needed is political leadership and serious
reflection on what needs to be done to bring the parties back to
the negotiating table.”
Palestinian rejection
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the Council
that the US plan will not bring peace or stability to
the region as it annuls the
legitimacy of Palestinians’ rights, including the
right to self-determination.
It would also create a Palestinian State that
would, in effect, look “like a Swiss cheese”, he added, with
so many Israeli settlements remaining.
“I would like to reaffirm that this plan, or any part in
this plan, should not be considered as an international reference
for negotiations”, he said.
“This is an Israeli-American preemptive plan in order to put an
end to the question of Palestine. It was rejected by
us because it considers that East Jerusalem is no
longer under the sovereignty of the State of Palestine:
that alone is enough for us to reject this plan.”
Israeli backing
For Israeli ambassador Danny Danon, the US plan offers
a “sane approach” to address the longstanding conflict,
as all previous attempts have failed.
“What this plan does differently is refuse to accept the same
out-of-date concepts of previous peace plans. This plan refuses
to accept that the only way to solve the conflict is with a
formula that has failed for over 70 years”, he said.
“The plan represents the requirement of a realistic approach that
is not afraid to incorporate innovative ideas to address the
concerns of both parties. It represents the necessity of a
pragmatic approach in order to solve a complex problem.”
UN framework for negotiations
Mr. Mladenov, the UN envoy, expressed hope that ambassadors
will support the Secretary-General’s call for a negotiated
solution to the conflict and constructive engagement between the
sides.
“There is no other framework except the one that Israelis and
Palestinians together agree on, a framework based on relevant UN
resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements,” he
stated.
“In the absence of a credible path back to negotiations, we all
face a heightened risk of violence. Violence, which will
drag both peoples - and the region - into a
spiral of escalation with no end in sight.”
