The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process on
Wednesday expressed deep concern over the relentless expansion of
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East
Jerusalem.
During the last three months, more than 10,000 housing units were
advanced, Tor Wennesland told ambassadors at the UN Security Council in New
York.
“Settlements further entrench the occupation, fuel violence,
impede Palestinian access to their land and resources, and
systematically erode the viability of a Palestinian State as part
of a two-State solution”, the senior envoy said.
“I call on the Government of Israel to cease all settlement
activity and dismantle outposts immediately, in line with its
obligations under international law,” he added.
The regular briefings stem from Security Council resolution 2334, adopted in
December 2016, which demanded that Israel
stop building new settlements on Palestinian land.
Escalating violence
Mr. Wennesland also expressed concern over escalating violence in
the occupied West Bank and Israel, at levels not seen in decades.
He bemoaned the use of increasingly lethal weaponry, including in
densely populated areas.
There have been casualties on both sides. Palestinians, including
children, were killed or injured during demonstrations, clashes,
security operations, and attacks, while Israelis, including
members of the security forces, suffered casualties also.
Mr. Wennesland called for immediate steps to de-escalate
tensions.
“I condemn all acts of violence against civilians, including acts
of terror. Such acts can never be justified and must be condemned
by all. Perpetrators must be held accountable and swiftly brought
to justice,” he said.
Funding crunch
Additionally, Mr. Wennesland noted funding shortage affecting UN
humanitarian agencies, including the UN Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and World Food Programme (WFP), calling on
Member States to provide more support.
UNRWA urgently needs $75 million to maintain food assistance
through December for 1.2 million Palestinians in Gaza, while WFP
requires $32 million for aid efforts across the Occupied
Palestinian Territories (OPT).
Political process
Concluding his briefing, the Special Coordinator said there was
no substitute for a legitimate political process to resolve core
of the issues driving the conflict.
He reiterated his commitment to supporting both Palestinians and
Israelis to resolve the decades of conflict, “in pursuit of the
vision of two States – Israel and an independent, democratic,
contiguous, viable, and sovereign Palestinian State – living side
by side in peace and security within secure and recognized
borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as
the shared capital of both States.”