Security Council: The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
Note: A full summary of today’s Security Council meeting will be made available upon completion.
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION
Briefing
TOR WENNESLAND, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, reporting on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) for the period from 15 June to 19 September 2023, detailed ongoing settlement activity by Israeli authorities who advanced plans for 6,300 housing units in Area C and approximately 3,580 housing units in East Jerusalem. He reported that on 18 June, the Israeli Government removed the requirement for ministerial approval at interim stages of settlement planning and delegated this authority to the Additional Minister in the Ministry of Defense, likely expediting settlement expansion. Moreover, Israeli authorities, citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain, demolished, seized or forced people to demolish 238 structures, including 32 donor-funded ones, displacing 183 people, including 46 women and 91 children. Fifty-nine schools, serving some 6,500 Palestinian students, are at risk of demolition, he added.
“In a continuing trend, many Palestinians, including children, left from their communities citing violence by settlers and shrinking grazing land,” he continued, adding that 68 Palestinians, including 18 children, were killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations, security operations and other incidents. Meanwhile, 10 Israelis, including one woman, two children and three Israeli security forces personnel, were killed, and 122 Israelis, including six women, six children and 33 Israeli security forces personnel, were injured by Palestinians in attacks and other incidents. Israeli security forces’ 1,042 search-and-arrest operations in the West Bank have resulted in 1,504 Palestinians arrested, including 88 children, he added, highlighting that Israel currently holds 1,264 Palestinians in administrative detention — the highest number in over a decade. Many Palestinian casualties in the occupied West Bank occurred in the context of Israeli operations in Area A, he reported, detailing incidents in August that killed Palestinians and Israelis.
He went on to say that, unfortunately, acts of provocation and inflammatory rhetoric continued, recalling such statements made by Israeli ministers and a senior Palestinian Authority official. As well, despite positive steps, negative trends imperilling the two-State solution continued, he said, noting that Israeli authorities reduced the handling fee for fuel that Israel transfers to the Palestinian Authority. On 17 September, the Erez crossing was closed for exits due to Jewish holidays and has remained closed due to the violence near the security fence, he said, reporting that over 22,000 work and business permit holders have been denied exit since the closure. He pointed out that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) urgently needs $75 million to maintain food assistance through year-end for 1.2 million Palestinians in Gaza, while the World Food Programme (WFP) requires $32 million to restore social assistance to priority families across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Turning to the resolution’s call on all States “to distinguish […] between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967”, he pointed to the United States Department of State’s recent foreign policy guidance in that regard to its relevant agencies. Regarding the resolution’s call on parties to exert collective efforts to launch credible negotiations, he reported that on 12 August, Saudi Arabia appointed an Ambassador to the State of Palestine and Consul General in Jerusalem for the first time since 1947, and on 18 September Saudi Arabia, the League of Arab States and the European Union, in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, convened a ministerial meeting to “discuss practical ways to reinvigorate” the Middle East peace process. Detailing the Secretary-General’s observations on the matter, he highlighted the UN chief’s call on the Government of Israel to cease all settlement activity and the practice of demolition and seizure of Palestinian structures and to abide by its obligations under international law to protect the Palestinian population, as well as his support for Palestinians and Israelis in their efforts to resolve the conflict “in pursuit of the vision of two States”.
Statements
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States) said the ongoing violence between the Israelis and Palestinians sets back prospects for peace and is responsible for “so much needless suffering”. She expressed deep concern over the situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza and called on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further inflame the tensions. She called deeply alarming “the sharp rise in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians” and called to hold accountable all perpetrators of violence against civilians whether Israeli or Palestinian. The United States opposes the advancement of settlements and urges Israel to refrain from those actions, she said, emphasizing it undermines “the geographic viability of a two-State solution, exacerbates tensions and further harms trust between the two parties”. Turning to the immediate needs of Palestinian refugees, she announced nearly $73 million in additional contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and called on all donors to provide additional assistance to the programme as soon as possible. She further added that the United States calls on Beirut to take additional steps to ensure the full implementation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate.
NICOLAS DE RIVIÉRE (France) condemned that, 30 years after the Oslo I Accord, Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories is increasing. This runs counter to Geneva Convention (IV) as well as Security Council resolution 2334 (2016), he underscored. Declaring that France will never recognize those illegal activities and their legalization, he called on Israel to halt them, as they prevent conflict resolution. He went on to denounce acts of terrorism, reiterating France’s commitment to Israel’s security and protection of civilians. The only solution lies in two States living peacefully side by side, both having Jerusalem as their capital. In this vein, he expressed support for the initiative of the European Union, 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.
VANESSA FRAZIER (Malta), noting that the situation remains “increasingly unsustainable for Palestinians and Israelis alike”, emphasized that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are a violation of international law. She voiced concern about demolitions and the forceable transfer of Palestinian communities. Condemning terror attacks upon Israeli civilians and “episodes of settler violence which have terrorized Palestinian communities”, she urged swift justice for those responsible. Expressing support to credible negotiations on all final status issues, she addressed the fiscal and political situation of the Palestinian Authority, calling for engagement towards reconciliation and the prompt holding of national elections. She emphasized the need to address the humanitarian needs of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, and expressed support for UNRWA’s critical role in providing assistance.
GENG SHUANG (China) observed that while 2023 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Oslo I Accord, the Occupied Palestinian Territory remains mired in conflict and turmoil. He called for higher priority to be given to the question of Palestine on the international agenda. He voiced support for State of Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas’ call on the United Nations to convene an international peace conference and for the Security Council sending a visiting mission to Palestine and Israel in due course. Urging the cessation of all settlement activities, unilateral actions to change the status quo in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and escalation of settler violence, he called on parties concerned to return to the right track of a two-State solution. He also urged the occupying Power to relax and remove unreasonable restrictions on the movement of persons, goods and land use, and to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.
BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom), recalling that 15 September marks the third anniversary of the Abraham Accords, encouraged more countries to normalize their relations with Israel. From 11 to 13 September, the British Foreign Secretary visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and spoke to their leaders, emphasizing the importance of elections in those territories, she reported. Noting that the thirtieth anniversary of the Oslo I Accord is a “poignant reminder” that States must work together to achieve peace, she reiterated support for the two-State solution. The Foreign Secretary also met UNRWA’s Commissioner-General and visited Jalazone refugee camp, she observed, spotlighting that the United Kingdom has announced an additional £10 million to address the programme’s crisis. Reporting that 1,105 Palestinians were displaced from their communities since 2022, she pointed out that the increase of settler violence in the occupied territories renders a risk of forced transfer. “We must end the cycle of violence,” she underscored.....
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15424.doc.htm
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