The destabilizing deterioration of the situation in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory continues in the absence of political
solutions that would “reset the trajectory”, the UN Special
Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said on
Wednesday.
Briefing the Security
Council, Tor Wennesland underlined the need for “firm action”
that will enable Israelis and Palestinians to re-engage on the
path to meaningful negotiations.
“There is no substitute for a legitimate political process that
will resolve the core issues driving the conflict,” he
said.
West Bank concerns
Mr. Wennesland reported on ongoing worrying trends that he said
are increasing the territorial fragmentation of the West Bank,
undermining the Palestinian Authority, and further eroding
prospects for peace.
“Across the West Bank, daily violence continues; tensions in East
Jerusalem and the refugee camps are mounting and settler violence
remains a serious concern. Illegal settlements and planning
processes are steadily advancing, alongside demolitions and
evictions, including in and around Jerusalem,” he told
Ambassadors.
‘Fragile calm’ in Gaza
Meanwhile, although “a fragile calm” currently prevails in Gaza,
the envoy stressed it is only temporary.
“Hamas control of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian divisions and the
Israeli closure regime are creating a generation who have
experienced multiple wars and humanitarian crises and who have
few prospects for a better life,” he said, urging Israel to
further ease restrictions on the movement of goods and services
there.
Violence update
Mr. Wennesland outlined the violence that has occurred throughout
the Occupied Palestinian Territory since his last briefing in
January.
Six Palestinians, including two children, were killed by Israeli
security forces in the occupied West Bank during this period.
These deaths occurred during demonstrations, clashes,
search-and-arrest operations, attacks and alleged attacks against
Israelis, as well as other incidents.
Overall, some 205 Palestinians were injured, 25 of them
children.
Nine Israeli civilians, including at least one woman and two
children, as well as eight Israeli security personnel were
injured by Palestinians during the reporting period.
Incidents included clashes, shooting, stabbing and ramming
attacks, and the throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails.
Settlements and demolitions
While settler-related violence also remained a concern, recent
efforts by Israel to reduce incidents “are well-noted,” Mr.
Wennesland told Council members.
Addressing settlement activity, he reported on plans for some 400
new housing units in the Gilo settlement in occupied East
Jerusalem to replace 80 units there.
Earlier this month, the Israeli Attorney-General also published a
legal opinion allowing authorities to advance plans for a
settlement at Evyatar, a West Bank outpost.
“I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international
law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace,” he said.
Israeli authorities also demolished 79 Palestinian-owned
structures during the reporting period.
The UN official was particularly concerned about several families
who face eviction from their long-time homes in Sheikh Jarrah and
Silwan, located in occupied East Jerusalem.
Tensions flared in Sheikh Jarrah after Israeli authorities on 30
January authorized the eviction of a Palestinian family in March.
On Tuesday, an Israeli court suspended the eviction pending
an appeal and the family depositing some $8,000 with the court as
collateral.
Strengthen Palestinian Authority
Mr. Wennesland also called for urgent action to avert the fiscal
collapse of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which continues to
face a prolonged financial crisis that is affecting service
delivery and crippling the economy.
Revenues are not keeping up with needed expenditures, he said,
resulting in accumulated debt, while investment in health,
education, infrastructure and other important sectors “is
virtually non-existent”.
He said economic and political reforms driven from inside the
authority are a “critical first step" to changing its dire fiscal
situation.
No substitute for political process
Although recent high-level dialogue between Israeli and
Palestinian leaders has netted commitments and some economic
steps, the envoy stressed that these efforts must be turned into
durable achievements and significantly expanded alongside policy
changes by both sides.
“While we have seen some encouraging economic initiatives, we
must push beyond the paradigm of managing, rather than resolving
the conflict. Economic steps alone – while essential and
desperately needed – will not put us on the path toward a just
and lasting peace,” he said.
Underscoring the need for political leadership, Mr. Wennesland
urged Israelis, Palestinians, regional States, and the wider
international community to take firm action to get the parties
back on the path to negotiations.
“Only an end to the occupation and the achievement of two States,
living side by side in peace and security, based on the 1967
lines, in line with UN resolutions, international law and
previous agreements, will resolve this conflict,” he said.
