AMMAN — According to coverage notes of the
UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting held on September 27, many UN representatives, pointing
to ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements, demolition of Palestinian structures,
daily violence, and continued inflammatory rhetoric by their Government
representatives, called for a collective international effort to put an end to
the crimes perpetrated by the state of Israel against Palestinian people, and
further support for the UNRWA.
اضافة اعلان
In the ensuing discussion, Council members stressed that the
expanding Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are a
violation of international law and must cease.
Speakers voiced concern about the ongoing violence and lack of political
progress on the thirtieth anniversary of the
Oslo Accord, this year, and
called on parties to exercise maximum restraint and take steps to de-escalate
tensions.
Legality of the occupation
Due to the report made earlier this year, “Legality of the
Israeli Occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East
Jerusalem,” all members of the council agree that many of Israel’s actions are
illegal as according to International law.
Brazil’s representative, pointing out that the Council has
become unresponsive to the Palestinians’ plight, stressed that the 15-member
security council must reflect on its role in paving the way for direct
negotiations. “Sitting on our hands
while the situation unravels is short-sighted and dangerous,” he warned.
Ongoing settlement activity
Tor Wennesland, UN special coordinator for the Middle East
Peace Process, reported that Israeli authorities advanced plans for 6,300
housing units in Area C, and approximately 3,580 housing units in East
Jerusalem, pointing to the Israeli Government’s administrative actions that
likely expedited settlement expansion.
“In a continuing trend, many Palestinians, including
children, left from their communities citing violence by settlers and shrinking
grazing land,” he said.
He noted that 68 Palestinians were killed by Israeli
security forces and 10 Israelis by Palestinians in attacks and other
incidents.
UNRWA funding
Detailing the urgent funding needs of the
UNRWA and the
World Food Program. He highlighted Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres’ call on
the Government of Israel to cease all settlement activity and the demolitions
and seizures of Palestinian structures, as well as the UN chief’s support to
Palestinians and Israelis in pursuit of the two-State solution.
Japan’s representative was among speakers who voiced support
for UNRWA, underscoring his country’s contribution of over $40 million to the program. He urged Member States to make sure that
UNRWA sustains its core services to the Palestine refugees.
Representative’s comments
The representative of the United States said that the United
States opposes the advancement of settlements and urges Israel to refrain from
those actions, emphasizing that it undermines “the geographic viability of a two-state
solution, exacerbates tensions and further harms trust between the two
parties”.
Lifting Gaza blockade
Other speakers, including Gabon’s representative, also
called for the lifting of the Gaza blockade in line with Council resolution
1860 (2009), noting that Palestinian territories face budgetary constraints
because of restrictions on freedom of movement and trade.
Switzerland’s representative pointed out that the immediate
reopening of the crossing point is necessary to allow some 20,000 Gazans to go
to work in Israel.
Two-state solution, further negotiations
France’s representative, echoing other speakers who stressed
that the only solution lies in two States living peacefully side by side, both
having Jerusalem as their capital, expressed support for the initiative of the
EU, Saudi Arabia and the League of Arab States to incentivize negotiations by
preparing a packet of measures that would benefit both parties once a peace
agreement is signed. France is prepared
to provide a contribution, he stated.
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