The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told
the Security Council on Wednesday, that since the adoption in
December 2016 of resolution 2334, which demands Israel stop
building new settlements on Palestinian land, there’s been
“little progress” implementing it.
Tor Wennesland updated ambassadors on a litany of violations,
including “mounting pressure” on Palestinians to leave their
homes, and plans for new construction outposts.
“The absence of a meaningful peace process to end the Israeli
occupation and resolve the conflict is fueling a dangerous
deterioration across the OPT [Occupied Palestinian Territory],
particularly in the West Bank, and driving the perception that
the conflict in unresolvable”, he said.
‘Perpetual state of violence’
The UN envoy reminded that resolution 2334 called for “immediate
steps to prevent all violence against civilians,” before listing
a wide range of attacks carried out between June and September in
the West Bank and Gaza, the vast majority of which left
Palestinians dead or injured.
“I am particularly appalled that children continue to be killed
and injured in large numbers,” he stated. “Children must never be
the target of violence or put in harm’s way”.
He said Israel should only use lethal force when “strictly
unavoidable to protect life”, must thoroughly investigate all
resulting deaths or injuries, and “hold those responsible,
accountable”.
“Negotiations can no longer be pushed off indefinitely”, Mr.
Wennesland continued, observing that the current course is
heading towards “a perpetual state of violence and conflict”.
Reversing ‘negative trends’
As resolution 2334 also calls for immediate steps to “reverse
negative trends…imperiling the two-State solution”, he described
some positive developments, such as on 7 July when President
Abbas and Defense Minister Gantz met in Ramallah, and the
following day when Israeli President Herzog and Prime Minister
Lapid, spoke to President Abbas by phone.
And during his July visit to Israel and the OPT, US President
Biden announced a $100 million contribution to the East Jerusalem
Hospital Network; $201 million for UN Palestine refugee relief
agency, UNRWA, and $15 million to address food insecurity.
Moreover, Israel issued some 16,000 worker and other business
permits for Palestinians in Gaza and extended social entitlements
under Israeli labour laws, to workers entering from the Gaza
Strip.
Chief concerns
The UN envoy informed the 15 Council members of the
Secretary-General’s concerns over continued settlement expansion
in the occupied West Bank.
He highlighted the Supreme Court’s Mitzpeh Kramim decision that
could set a legal precedent for additional outposts, and
demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned property.
He also noted civilian casualties from the latest escalation in
Gaza; indiscriminate rocket launches there by Palestinian
militants; and the deteriorating security situation in the
occupied West Bank.
He also relayed the UN chief’s apprehension that “the current
negative trajectory” puts at great risk the socioeconomic and
institution-building that has prepared the Palestinian Authority
for eventual statehood.
At the same time, the Secretary-General welcomed the Special
Representative’s 22 September report on a comprehensive package
of “incremental, durable, and meaningful steps” that the parties
and their partners should take, to address the current situation,
strengthen the Palestinian Authority, and advance the goal of a
sustainable peace.
‘Meaningful initiatives’
In closing, Mr. Wennesland stressed the need for “meaningful
initiatives” to reverse the current trajectory, adding, “they are
needed quickly”.
He said that “Israelis and Palestinians must determine how they
envision the future”.
“Ending the occupation and realizing a two-State solution must
drive our collective efforts”, he concluded, vowing to remain
“actively engaged in advancing these objectives with Israeli and
Palestinian leaders, and with key international and regional
partners”.
