YouSaid · the spoken record

GAMBARI

lines on the record: 1,141
first: 1992-07-15
most recent: 2012-07-24
sittings or episodes: 98
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Tensions eased somewhat following last week's developments. I turn now to the fiscal and humanitarian situation. The Palestinian Authority's fiscal crisis has not abated. According to the International Monetary Fund, Palestinian Authority revenues in April amounted to a mere $35 million - one sixth of its monthly requirement. The continued non-transfer of Palestinian value added tax (VAT) and customs revenues collected by Israel remained the major impediment to fiscal stability. There have, however, been reports of large amounts of cash being brought into Gaza by Palestinian Authority officials and Hamas members. In June, the Palestinian Authority made one salary payment to 10,000 of its lowest-paid workers through its treasury account.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“However, other militants continue to fire rockets at Israel on a daily basis. The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on the 06-39820 Palestinian Authority to heed the Quartet's call and meet its road map obligations to act decisively against terrorism, including acting to end indiscriminate rocket attacks that endanger Israeli civilian lives. Clashes between militants loyal to Hamas and to Fatah led to the killing of local leaders and claimed the lives of many bystanders, including women and children. A number of violent protests also took place in Gaza and the West Bank, involving rival factions and civil servants who are angry at not receiving their salary payments. The Preventive Security headquarters in Gaza and the offices of the parliament and of the Council of Ministers in Ramallah were ransacked.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigation subsequently concluded that Israeli military fire was not responsible for the deaths. However, a prominent human rights organization, Human Rights Watch, has disputed this. The Israeli investigation is continuing, in order to ascertain the cause of the explosion. During the reporting period, the United Nations recorded 176 rockets fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards Israeli territory. Some of these hit Israeli towns and cities, injuring five civilians and damaging private property and Government buildings, including a school. For the first time in well over a year, Hamas claimed responsibility for rockets launched at Israel. Hamas appears not to have continued these operations in recent days, and there have been statements indicating preparedness to resume the ceasefire.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“The Secretary-General is particularly disturbed that, despite his prior expressions of concern, this pattern was repeated only yesterday, when three children were killed and a number of bystanders injured during another attempted targeted killing by Israel, also in a crowded neighbourhood in Gaza. We would like to once again underscore the need for Israel to cease targeted killings, which continue to claim civilian lives. It is the View of the Secretary- General that Israeli actions should be proportionate and in accordance with international humanitarian law. On 9 June, an explosion on a beach in Gaza, at the time of an Israeli operation involving the firing of sea- and land-based weapons in the immediate area, killed seven civilians, all members of the same family. The Palestinian Authority held Israel responsible for the killings.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“06-39820 Israel stepped up its policy of targeted killings of militants and shelling of areas in Gaza, from which rockets continue to be fired at Israeli territory. On 29 May, for the first time since Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, Israeli ground troops entered the Gaza Strip, killing five Palestinians. On 8 June, an Israeli air strike in Gaza killed the commander of the Popular Resistance Committees, Jamal Abu Samhadana, together with four other alleged militants. On 13 June, two consecutive Israeli missile strikes were fired on a car allegedly transporting rockets to be fired at Israel, resulting in the deaths of three Islamic Jihad operatives, but also killing eight bystanders, in a crowded street in Gaza.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“Prime Minister Olmert indicated his determination to proceed with the implementation of his "realignment" plan, details of which have not yet been made public. We look forward to Prime Minister Olmert's meeting with President Abbas and consider it as an important step towards resuming negotiations, which remains, in our View, the best way to promote peace. With regard to security and violence, I would like to say that, in the reporting period, at least 64 Palestinians have been killed, including at least ll children, and at least 328 Palestinians have been injured, including, again, many children. Forty-nine of those killed and 259 of those injured were the victims of Israeli-Palestinian violence. The rest were casualties of intra-Palestinian Violence. One Israeli was killed and 18 were injured in Israeli-Palestinian violence.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“We continue to encourage all Palestinian parties to leave no stone unturned in efforts to ensure the harmonious and coherent operation of security forces and to achieve consensus on a political programme that responds to the Palestinian people's desire for a peacefully negotiated two-State solution. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert has met with the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and several European countries over the past month. The Prime Minister has reiterated his desire to meet with President Abbas in the coming period, and, indeed, it appears they may have an opportunity to do so tomorrow, in Petra. However, he has also stressed that the Palestinian Authority Government must meet the Quartet's three principles, and that there is a finite period of time for the pursuit of negotiations.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“In recent days, however, progress has been reported on narrowing differences on the issues in dispute. In the past week or so, the security situation in the streets calmed somewhat following consultations between President Abbas and Prime Minister Haniyeh. Those consultations concluded with an announcement that the special force recently created by the Minister of the Interior should be absorbed into the payroll of the Palestinian Authority after its members have received proper police training. The force has not yet been fully withdrawn from the streets in Gaza, but it is less Visible than before.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“On 10 June, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman and Palestinian Authority President Abbas called a referendum, to be held on 26 July, on the covenant for national reconciliation agreed upon by Palestinian prisoners. President Abbas has indicated that his decree does not preclude the possibility of consensus being reached at any time before the date of the referendum, in which case the referendum would not necessarily proceed. During earlier discussions, most Palestinian factions other than Hamas and Islamic Jihad had expressed support for the 2 prisoners' document. The Palestinian Authority Government indicated its concern about aspects of the document, disputed the legality and even the desirability of a referendum and called for a dialogue without deadlines.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“Mr. Gambari: The past month has seen heightened tension and increasing Violence, both among Palestinians and in the conflict between them and Israel. That violence has taken a particularly severe toll on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. There was also a significant outbreak of violence across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. Despite continuing Violence, however, a few positive steps have been taken to deescalate what remains a very volatile situation overall. All acts of violence, especially those that either endanger or specifically target civilians, must cease, and negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict must not be further delayed. Let me now proceed to discuss key political developments.”
2006-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5472 (2006) · source
“Unilateral moves simply cannot resolve issues such as the border between the State of Israel and a future Palestinian State, which must be mutually agreed. After all, we are talking here of the borders of two States, not one. Any changes to the 1967 lines can be set only through negotiated agreement. In that regard, we welcome last weekend's meeting and the intention of both parties to work together on these very critical and difficult issues. A two-State solution can be achieved only through negotiations, and its achievement will be an important element of ensuring sustainable peace and security in this region, to which all of us within and outside of the Council, including the United Nations and the international community at large, are committed.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“The example set by the Lebanese through their national dialogue is a good one, and the coming dialogue in Palestine could be another example of constructive engagement by the stakeholders in addressing critical issues. The parties in Palestine need to make every effort to avoid a further deterioration of the situation. National dialogue is an opportunity to reassert the goals and institutions shared by all Palestinians and to agree on ways to pursue a negotiated two-State solution to the conflict along the lines defined by the road map. We sincerely hope that the dialogue will become a channel for communication and for conciliation. We also reiterate the central importance of negotiations for the future of the political process between Israel and the Palestinians.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“We welcome and encourage the stated intention of Lebanese leaders to continue the national dialogue, which is the most effective way to address the critical issues facing the country, and we welcome the support of Lebanon's neighbours for this important initiative. Mr. Roed-Larsen bas reported to the Council separately on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004), and the Council recently adopted resolution 1680 (2006) dealing with the need for further action by the relevant parties. In addition, members will be aware that the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission's Serge Brammertz will be presenting his interim report to the Council in early June.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“This incident highlights the importance of implementing the decision taken in the national dialogue to disarm within six months all Palestinian factions situated outside the camps. Within Lebanon, the sixth and seventh rounds of the national dialogue took place on 28 April and 16 May, respectively. The question of the presidency was discussed in both rounds, although there has been no conclusion. Participants therefore put aside the issue of the presidency and began a discussion on Hizbollah's weapons and the development of a national defence strategy. This will be taken up when the dialogue next convenes, on 8 June.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“On 2 May, Lebanon called for the removal of a number of sand barriers and border police posts that Syria had established in the vicinity of the Lebanese towns of Ras Baalbeck and Aarsal, apparently to stem smugglers operating in the area. Following bilateral discussions, work has begun on the removal of a number of these posts. This episode shows that progress can be achieved on the basis of direct bilateral consultations between Lebanon and Syria, and also reinforces the need for the delineation of the two countries' borders. On 17 May, units of the Lebanese army clashed in the western Bekaa valley with members of an armed Palestinian faction based outside the refugee camps. According to reports, one Lebanese soldier and one Palestinian gunman were wounded. A Lebanese soldier was also briefly held by the Palestinian group.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“President Bush also indicated that any final-status agreement could be achieved only on the basis of "mutually agreed changes". We support the need for a negotiated outcome and in that regard urge all parties to engage in substantive dialogue at the earliest opportunity. With regard to Lebanon, the situation along the Blue Line has been quiet but tense. There were 20 Israeli air violations, as compared with three last month. We continue to call on all parties to respect fully the Blue Line. The Secretary-General's Personal Representative for Lebanon has reminded all his interlocutors of the need to take the necessary measures to lower tensions.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“As many members will have read, Prime Minister Olmert met President Bush in Washington yesterday. While Prime Minister Olmert indicated that he intends to "exhaust every possibility to promote peace with the Palestinians", he also noted that if Israel concluded that progress was not possible, it would be "compelled to try a different route", involving removing settlements which are not part of major Israeli settlement centres in the West Bank while ensuring that major population centres would "remain under Israeli control and become part of the State of Israel as part of the final- status agreement". President Bush encouraged Prime Minister Olmert to reach out to President Abbas and stated that the best servant of peace was "a negotiated final-status agreement".”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“The coalition guidelines state that the Government of Israel "will strive to shape the permanent borders of the State of Israel" and that it "will act to achieve this through negotiations and agreement with the Palestinians, conducted on the basis of mutual recognition, signed agreements, the road map principles, cessation of violence and the disarming of the terror organizations". The Quartet welcomed Prime Minister Olmert's call for negotiations with a Palestinian partner committed to the principles of the road map. In this context, the meeting between President Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Livni at the World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh last weekend was a positive development, as was the agreement reached to prepare carefully for a meeting between the President and Prime Minister Olmert.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“The agreement refers to establishing a Palestinian State along the 4 June 1967 borders, describes the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, states that political action should be based on Arab legitimacy and United Nations resolutions, and declares that resistance to Israel's occupation should be limited to the 1967 borders. That document was endorsed by President Abbas. The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority Government's response was more cautious. On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Olmert presented his governing coalition to the Knesset on 4May.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Around 500 representatives of all political parties, civil society, the private sector, the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will participate. The agenda includes measures to reinforce national unity, ways to address the current critical situation, and the activation of the PLO. The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process has encouraged the pursuit through dialogue of a positive consensus among Palestinian political actors regarding the road ahead. In an important precursor to the dialogue, Palestinian political detainees in Israeli prisons, including senior Fatah and Hamas members, announced on 10 May an agreement on common principles for national action and dialogue.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Defence Minister Peretz also extended previously issued evacuation orders regarding 12 settlement outposts, while declaring the Government's intention to take action on "the evacuation of illegal outposts". Turning to political developments, I would like to observe that, on 9 May, the Quartet welcomed President Abbas's continued commitment to a platform of peace, which was reaffirmed in a letter to the Quartet prior to the meeting. The Quartet also reiterated its grave concern that the Palestinian Authority Government has so far failed to commit itself to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations. A Palestinian national dialogue will start tomorrow in Ramallah and Gaza City, linked by video.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“The Quartet also stated on 9 May that the parties should avoid unilateral measures which prejudice final- status issues and expressed concern about settlement expansion and the route of the barrier. However, on 26 April, Prime Minister Olmert announced his intention to increase the pace of construction and to complete the barrier around Jerusalem by the end of the year. The Israeli cabinet reiterated its commitment to the construction of the barrier and approved a series of changes in the northern West Bank and Jerusalem areas. Meanwhile, Israeli settlement construction continues. The Defence Ministry recently authorized the expansion of four West Bank settlements to the north and south of Jerusalem as well as in the Jordan Valley.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“However, agricultural exports have been limited, resulting in losses of about $9.5 million since the beginning of the season. We were encouraged by the 17 May decision of the new Israeli Defence Minister, Mr. Peretz, to reopen Karni in both directions. Regrettably, the implementation of this decision was suspended shortly thereafter. We hope that this will be reconsidered. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), physical obstacles in the West Bank currently stand at 515, up from 476 last month. A system of permits heavily restricts travel to the Jordan Valley. It also restricts access to closed areas between the Green Line and the barrier and limits movement between different segments of the West Bank.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“On closures, barrier and settlement activity, I would like to say that the Quartet has urged both parties to take concrete steps to implement their obligations under the Agreement on Movement and Access. The Karni crossing between Israel and Gaza has been closed for half of the scheduled days of operation in 2006. The United Nations and other actors face increasingly tight Israeli restrictions on staff movement to and from Gaza and on the supply of humanitarian goods through Karni, despite Israel's stated desire to support expanded United Nations operations. The Israeli authorities directly responsible have shown awareness of the difficulties. Karni has been open to allow sufficient imports to avert a food supply crisis this month.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Among other operations this month, Israel killed five alleged militants in Gaza on 5May and seven on 14 May in the northern West Bank, and on 20 May a leading member of Islamic Jihad in Gaza was also killed. In this last attack, a boy, his mother and his grandmother were killed, and a three-year-old was wounded. Such collateral damage underlines the need for Israel to cease targeted killings and heed the call of the Quartet to show restraint and consider the potential consequences of its actions on civilians. Earlier today, according to news reports, two Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in gun battles between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and Palestinians in central Ramallah, which erupted after troops entered the city to arrest alleged militants.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“This attack was condemned by President Abbas' office and by the Ministry of Interior. The Government of Israel reported that 81 attacks had been perpetrated against its territory. At least 40 of those attacks reportedly involved rocket and mortar fire from Gaza. No injuries were reported, though facilities were damaged. Israel responded with shelling of the rocket launching grounds. It remains essential for the Palestinian Authority to heed the Quartet's call to act decisively against terrorism and bring an end to the violence. A senior Hamas military commander allegedly responsible for numerous attacks against Israeli civilians was arrested yesterday by Israeli security forces in the West Bank.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“A few days later, the Chief of Intelligence, Tareq Abu Rajab, was seriously injured in an explosion. Incidents continue, including the killing a few hours ago of the head of preventive security, Nabil Hodhod, in central Gaza. The situation remains extremely volatile. We welcome and encourage Egypt's ongoing efforts to calm the tension. We also invite others with influence to engage in similar efforts. Jordan has announced that its security services discovered a hidden cache of long-range Katyusha rockets for use by Hamas against senior Jordanian officials. President Abbas has expressed great concern about these allegations, which Hamas officials have denied. On 26 April, two members of the European Border Assistance Mission were lightly wounded in an attack by Palestinian militants at Rafah.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Of the Palestinian casualties, 10 of the dead and at least 33 of the wounded were victims of intra- Palestinian fighting, as was one Jordanian Government employee who was killed in Gaza a few days ago. This internal strife, notably in Gaza, has now reached worrying proportions. We recently reported on appointments by President Abbas to key security positions, including within the Ministry of Interior, and the subsequent announcement by the Government of a new security force controlled by the Ministry of Interior. Despite President Abbas's declaration that this move was illegal, Interior Minister Siam deployed 3,000 armed men in Gaza on 17 May. The President responded by ordering all police forces to reinforce deployment in the Gaza Strip, and there were clashes between Palestinian Authority police and the new Harnas-led security force.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“A revised consolidated appeal addressing additional humanitarian needs of Palestinians under the new circumstances will be issued later this month, and donors are also called upon to support the ongoing emergency activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. I now turn to the security situation. Five Israelis were injured by Palestinian violence this month. No Israelis have been killed, although one Israeli and one American teenager died of wounds sustained in last month's suicide attack in Tel Aviv. A reported 45 Palestinians have been killed this month, including at least two children, and 180 Palestinians have been injured.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“We note the positive decision of the Israeli cabinet on 21 May to spend approximately $11 million of that money on the health sector, further to Prime Minister Olmert's pledge to address humanitarian concerns, and notably health issues, in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Government of Israel is encouraged to build on that step and to find a way to transfer the full balance of monthly value added tax and customs receipts. That money accounts for about one third of the budget of the Palestinian Authority, and its early transfer is vital. Fourthly, the Quartet called for urgent responses to assistance requests by international organizations, especially United Nations agencies.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“The United Nations is lending its full support to European efforts to establish the mechanism and is participating in discussions in Brussels today - discussions which will focus on the need to move quickly, to ensure flexibility and to address the crisis in the banking sector. Thirdly, the Quartet urged Israel to take steps to improve the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people. Israel has responsibilities in the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as obligations outlined in previous agreements. The largest portion of the shortfall in the Palestinian Authority's monthly budget is the Palestinian value added tax and customs duties, which Israel has not transferred for the third month in a row.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Secondly, the Quartet expressed its willingness to endorse a temporary international mechanism, to be developed by the European Union, that is limited in scope and duration, operates with full transparency and accountability, and ensures the direct delivery of assistance to the Palestinian people. If those criteria can be met, the temporary international mechanism will begin operating as soon as possible and will be reviewed after three months. In the unique circumstances of the occupied Palestinian territory, it is difficult to differentiate between the roles of the different actors who are responsible for addressing basic needs. The Secretary- General therefore hopes that the scope of the mechanism will be as broad and as non-discriminatory as possible.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“On 9 May, the Quartet held discussions on those and other issues here at United Nations Headquarters, and benefited from the contributions of the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia as regional partners. The meeting highlighted the regional impact of the current crisis and resulted in the Quartet's expressing serious concern about the deteriorating conditions. First, the Quartet stressed that international efforts to assist the Palestinian people do not relieve the Palestinian Authority Government of its responsibilities, outlined in signed agreements. The Palestinian Authority Government has received the important message from the donor members of the Quartet that its commitment to the principles outlined by the Quartet in its meeting in London on 30 January would pave the way for the restoration of direct assistance.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Meanwhile, the situations in Iran and Iraq, while not the domain of this briefing, also impact peace and stability across the Middle East. Let me start with the situation in Israel and Palestine before turning to Lebanon and then making some more general observations. I turn first to the fiscal and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, where official salaries have not been paid to some 155,000 public- sector workers since the end of February. Those salaries account for 25 per cent of the Palestinian economy, supporting about one million people. Recipients provide the bulk of health, education and other services, including security, to the Palestinian people. Longer-term projections point to dramatic rises in poverty and unemployment rates if current trends continue.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Mr. Gambari: Once again, the Middle East is at an important juncture. However, rather than one intersection, we now have several. While the issues may not be strictly intertwined, each influences the other in ways that are difficult to predict. In the Israeli- Palestinian theatre, Hamas' takeover of the Palestinian Authority, interfactional tensions in Gaza and the new Israeli Government have produced a new set of challenges as well as opportunities for the international community, including, unfortunately, a serious humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Furthermore, the situation between Syria and Lebanon remains of continuing concern, and while the national dialogue in Lebanon continues, bilateral and domestic tensions remain.”
2006-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5443 (2006) · source
“Israel's continued policy of settlement expansion and barrier construction undermines not only Palestinian leaders who are seeking election on a platform of peaceful negotiation with Israel, but also efforts to achieve a viable two-State solution, with a contiguous West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and meaningful linkages between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. I note, in closing, the comments of the Quartet Special Envoy, James Wolfensohn, at the recent donor meeting in London. Mr. Wolfensohn, whose efforts have been so crucial to achieving the progress recorded in 2005, reminded participants that the immediate aftermath of both Palestinian and Israeli elections will be a very critical period of opportunity that neither the parties nor the international community can afford to miss.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“More immediately, however, during this delicate pre-electoral period in both countries, there is a need to respond to the forces of violence and despair with concrete political, economic, security and social action - action that provides a framework in which the agenda of peace is made stronger than the agenda of conflict, violence and terror. The Palestinian Authority's inability to exercise control over its territory remains a source of great concern. The Quartet encourages and supports the Palestinian Authority's efforts to take immediate steps to prevent armed groups from acting against law and order and against the policies of the Authority itself.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“Let me be clear: that does not in any way detract from the centrality of the road map, which remains the agreed framework for achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. This is surely an occasion for all parties to reflect on what more they can do to ensure that road map obligations are met so that we can make genuine progress towards the goal of two States, Israel and an independent, viable and democratic Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, within secure and recognized borders.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“On 15 December, the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon, Mr. Geir Pedersen, yet again expressed his deep concern about those violations and noted that overflights are a serious breach of Lebanese sovereignty. Israel cites the continued presence and activities of Hezbollah as the reason for the violations. We would like to remind both parties, however, that one violation does not justify another. We call again on the Israeli authorities to halt those overflights and on all parties to respect the Blue Line in its entirety. The road map's target date for a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now 10 days away. It is obvious therefore that, while we have made very important progress, we will certainly not reach our destination on time.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“In his meetings with the Government of Lebanon, he discussed, among other matters, the need to improve the situation along the Blue Line. That is a matter on which Mr. De Soto has also had discussions with Israel. The situation along the Blue Line was tense but stable during the reporting period. Hezbollah started to reconstruct its position near Ghajar village, which had been destroyed during the 21 November exchange of fire, on which the Council received a separate briefing. I would like to stress the importance of the Government of Lebanon's extending control over all of its territory, especially in the South. Since the last briefing of the Council on 30 November, there have been 19 Israeli air violations, including on the day of Gebran Tueni's funeral.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“We note the decision of the Security Council in resolution 1644 (2005) to establish a tribunal of an international character to try those found responsible for the assassination of Rafik Hariri, to extend the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission's technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities and to expand the scope of the Commission's investigations. The Secretariat is working actively to implement the operative paragraphs of resolution 1644 (2005). Promoting the stability of Lebanon is a vital part of efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, visited Lebanon in early December.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“The fifth, and final, round, which will include major constituencies in Gaza, will be organized in early 2006 after the legislative elections themselves. I now turn to the situation in Lebanon, a country that has had to endure yet another attempt to undermine its stability and independence through the brutal killing of Gebrane Tueni and three others on 12 December. Mr. Tueni was a champion of a democratic, sovereign Lebanon and of a free press. The Security Council and the Secretary-General expressed their condemnation of that act of terrorism, as well as their support for the Government of Lebanon's determination to bring the perpetrators of that and other such attacks to justice.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“The Central Election Commission decided to close down all district offices on 13 December, but it reopened them the following day when police protection was provided, thereby allowing candidates to be registered by the deadline of 14 December. The candidate lists include two Fatah lists, one headed by Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and another under the name Al-Mustaqbal - which is Arabic for "the future" - headed by the imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. Hamas has also formally registered for its first parliamentary elections. On 15 December, the fourth round of municipal elections took place in the West Bank, including in larger municipalities such as Nablus, Jenin and Al- Bireh, where Hamas won an overwhelming majority of seats, and Ramallah, where Fatah won.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“We are concerned by unconfirmed reports that the Israeli Defence Minister recently approved plans to construct further housing units in Maale Adumim and other settlements near Jerusalem. According to the road map, Israel is obliged to freeze its settlement activities and to dismantle outposts in the West Bank constructed since March 2001. With regard to elections, preparations are continuing for the Palestinian Legislative Council elections scheduled for 25 January 2006. Those preparations were marred by violent incidents, many of them arising from internal disagreements within the Fatah party concerning the composition of the party's lists.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“It is clear that the Palestinian Authority must pursue security-sector reform with single-minded determination. The Palestinian Authority's inter- ministerial working group, supported by the team of the United States Security Coordinator, has now produced a first draft of a security reform white paper. Security-sector reform is expected to feature in the Palestinian Authority's medium-term development plan. Let me now say a word about settlement activity. During the reporting period, settlement activity and barrier construction continued. A recent study by the Israeli non-governmental organization Peace Now refers to a list published by the Israeli Ministry of Housing and Construction, reporting that 3,696 housing units are currently being built in West Bank settlements, and another 1,654 in East Jerusalem.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“While acknowledging the right of Israel to defend itself against terrorist attacks in conformity with international law, it must be noted that extrajudicial killings amount to executions without trial and that innocent bystanders are often killed or injured in those operations. In the targeted killings I have just mentioned alone, 11 other Palestinians, including four children, were reported wounded. Meanwhile, the Palestinian internal security situation has worsened, with attacks on electoral offices, armed clashes between Fatah factions at the party headquarters and between the Palestinian security forces and armed elements. Clashes with the IDF also led to the death of a Palestinian in Nablus. An Israeli soldier was stabbed to death at the Qalandia checkpoint, and militants killed an Israeli settler near Hebron.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“There have been a number of other worrying security developments since my last briefing to the Council. Over 20 Qassam rockets were fired at Israel since the beginning of December. The outskirts of Ashkelon were hit by rockets for the first time in two and a half years. The Government of Israel responded to the Netanya terror attack and to the firing of Qassam rockets by tightening the closure regime and by implementing a previously announced resumption of targeted killings. Israeli air force strikes on 6 December and 8 December killed four suspected militants in Gaza. On 14 December, a helicopter strike by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed four men east of Gaza city, reportedly all members of the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees. A failed targeted killing took place on the same day.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“Representatives of Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for that attack. The Palestinian Authority, which condemned the act, arrested some 60 suspects following the bombing. The Quartet condemned that terrorist attack in the strongest terms and demanded that the Syrian Government take immediate action to close the offices of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and to prevent the use of its territory by armed groups engaged in terrorist acts. The Quartet also encouraged and supported the Palestinian Authority's efforts to prevent armed groups from acting against law and order and against the policy of the Authority itself, and urged all parties to exercise restraint, avoid an escalation of violence and keep the channels of communication open.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“James Wolfensohn, the Quartet's Special Envoy, to resolve outstanding differences and to ensure that Israel's security concerns are met, the commencement of the convoys remains suspended. We hope that discussions aimed at breaking the impasse will continue on this very important issue. As for movement in the West Bank, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported a slight increase: there are now just over 400 roadblocks and checkpoints. Discussions are ongoing between the Government of Israel and the United States, with United Nations participation, to develop a plan to reduce obstacles to movement in the West Bank. Let me now turn to the security situation. On 5 December, a suicide bombing in Netanya killed five Israeli civilians and wounded dozens more.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source
“For example, the Rafah crossing, between Gaza and Egypt, has been open for five hours each day since 26 November. The Karni crossing, through which produce enters Israel from Gaza, has also remained open since 15 November, allowing the first post- disengagement Palestinian harvest to reach Israeli markets. Both parties must continue to make efforts to ensure that agricultural exports remain a top priority. The Agreement includes an Israeli commitment to allow the passage of convoys to facilitate the movement of goods and persons between Gaza and the West Bank, specifying that bus convoys would start by 15 December. Despite the concerted efforts of the United States and Mr.”
2005-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5337 (2005) · source