YouSaid · the spoken record

Mladenov

lines on the record: 1,041
first: 2013-11-25
most recent: 2020-09-29
sittings or episodes: 54
sources: un-security-council

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“Mr. Mladenov: Today I devote my regular briefing to the Security Council to reporting, on behalf of the Secretary-General, on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) during the period from 25 March to 19 June. I will focus on developments on the ground in accordance with the provisions of the resolution, including on regional and international efforts to advance peace. Let me once again note that nothing in the report can be divorced from the broader context in which it is occurring - the half century of occupation, the stalled peace process, the lack of dialogue between the parties, as well as the continued illegal settlement activities, terror, violence and increased radicalization.”
2017-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7977 (2017) · source
“Gaza faces a downward spiral of de-development. The widening socioeconomic gap between Gaza and the West Bank further highlights the need to end the drivers of this inhumane and volatile situation. Deteriorating conditions only fuel anger and instability, strengthen extremists and undermine chances for a serious political process. If Israelis and Palestinians hope to extract themselves from the immeasurable burden this conflict has wrought, they must be willing to take the painful steps that will ultimately lead to peace. Neither side can afford another missed opportunity.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“Israel can undertake transformative steps to improve the daily lives of Palestinians, to empower the Palestinian leadership and to move meaningfully towards a negotiated resolution of the conflict, in accordance with international law and Security Council resolutions. Palestinians, too, should heed the repeated calls to combat violence and incitement. Internally, they must also rise to the challenge of forging a genuine reconciliation, which is critical to advancing peace and fulfilling their national aspirations. This summer will mark 10 years since Hamas' violent 2007 takeover of the Gaza Strip. The past decade has seen Gaza's infrastructure, its basic services and its private sector gradually debilitated, its economy weakened, with real gross domestic product per capita and employment decreasing, and the gender gap continuing to grow.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“In closing, allow me to say a few words on efforts to advance the prospects for peace. As the conflict has ebbed and flowed, the key messages to both sides from the United Nations, including through its role in the Quartet and the broader international community, have remained clear, consistent and firm. Above all, Israel's almost 50-year occupation and settlement enterprise are untenable and must end through meaningful negotiations that address the final status issues. Their perpetuation is sending an unmistakable message to another generation of Palestinians that their dream of statehood is destined to remain just that - a dream - and to Israelis that their desire for peace, security and regional recognition also remains unattainable. Still, much can and must be done.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“I continue to hope that negotiations can be finalized in time to avoid institutional instability and to allow for the holding of elections, in accordance with the Constitution. In the Golan, the ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic has been maintained, albeit in a volatile environment attributable to the ongoing conflict in Syria and against the backdrop of continued military activity across the ceasefire line. This activity has included incidents of spillover and retaliatory fire, as well as Israeli air strikes in Syria targeting Hizbullah. Both Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic have stated their continued commitment to the separation of forces agreement and their support for the full return of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force to the area of separation, conditions permitting.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“I also take note of recently announced Israeli measures designed to help the Palestinian economy in the West Bank. These steps reportedly include the proposed zoning of land in Area C, adjacent to several Palestinian cities, for their residential, industrial and agricultural use; the development of industrial zones in Tarkumiya and Hebron; and expanding the hours of operation of the Allenby Bridge crossing. These are positive steps that will also need to be substantially expanded if they are to achieve the desired effect. Before closing, let me turn very briefly to Lebanon and the Golan. Regrettably, the Lebanese Parliament has not yet reconvened following its one-month adjournment of 12 April. Agreement on an electoral law remains elusive, less than a month before Parliament's tenure ends on 20 June.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“On 4 May, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the Coordination of International Assistance to Palestinians met in Brussels to discuss the key socioeconomic challenges faced by the Palestinian Authority. Regrettably, a number of key issues remain unresolved between the parties on access and movement, energy, water and fiscal sustainability. While many of the solutions are technical, ultimately the decisions to implement them are political. I am encouraged by the fact that in recent weeks, the Israeli and Palestinian Ministers of Finance have come together in an effort to move these issues forward. Their fruitful consultations, the first meeting of the Joint Water Committee in seven years and the progress in the implementation of last year's landmark electricity agreement are positive steps that need to be encouraged and supported.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“According to reports, the Israeli prison service has evacuated at least 60 hunger- striking prisoners to hospitals because their medical condition had worsened, while another close to 600 prisoners have been moved to infirmaries set up in the prisons. Reports of punitive measures against the hunger strikers, including restricted access to lawyers and the denial of family visits, are alarming. The right of detainees to access a lawyer is a right that should never be curtailed. I call for a redoubling of efforts to end the strike as soon as possible. The crisis must be resolved in line with international humanitarian law and Israel's human rights obligations. All actors should exercise maximum restraint and responsibility and take the necessary steps to avoid escalating tensions.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“With respect to another troubling development, allow me to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in condemning yesterday's executions of three men in Gaza, in contravention of international law. These executions bring to 28 the number of death sentences carried out since the Hamas takeover in 2007, with nine just in the past year. Turning to the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in recent weeks we have seen more tragic examples of the human toll that this conflict is inflicting, with six Palestinians killed in various acts of violence. I am also very concerned by the ongoing hunger strike of Palestinian detainees protesting against their conditions in Israeli jails, which, on the eve of Ramadan, has now entered its fortieth day.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“Defusing the current energy crisis will require compromise on all sides, including tax concessions on fuel for the power plant and a profound reform of how energy is supplied in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority, Hamas - which has controlled Gaza for a decade - and Israel all have obligations for the welfare of Gaza's residents and must live up to their responsibilities to address the crisis and overcome its political impasse. Over the past weeks, I have engaged with the parties and our international partners not only to find a solution to the immediate electricity challenges, but also to address the broader political challenge of returning Gaza to the control of the legitimate Palestinian authorities.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“This is the equivalent of 40 Olympic-size swimming pools of untreated sewage daily, which is an environmental disaster in the making for Israel, Egypt and Gaza. Food prices are soaring as the price of water for irrigation has gone up by some 65 per cent. The manufacturing sector is grinding to a halt, and over half of private industry workers have been suspended. The United Nations is working determinedly to mitigate the humanitarian impact of this crisis. A United Nations- managed emergency fuel operation is delivering fuel to essential services for water, health and sanitation, but our reserves will run out in the coming weeks. It can only temporarily alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable, but is no substitute for a sustainable solution.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“Let me illustrate to the Council what that reality looks like. Hospitals are now forced to postpone elective surgeries and have already reduced 80 per cent of cleaning, catering and sterilization services. Had it not been for the timely United Nations humanitarian intervention on 27 April to provide emergency fuel for generators, some 51 surgical and obstetric operation theatres, five hemodialysis centres and a number of emergency departments would have had to close. Since mid-April, desalination plants have been functioning at 15 per cent of their capacity, and drinking water has been supplied for a few hours every two to four days. As we speak 100,000 cubic metres of raw sewage are discharged into the Mediterranean Sea on a daily basis.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“How long do Council members think they can survive if this is further reduced to two hours of electricity per day? Who will pay the price of the ensuing violence and escalation? It will not be those who live a life of exemption and privilege. The price will be paid by poor Palestinians - by women and children, by people already traumatized by conflict, who have been held hostage for a decade now. They are the ones who will not have access to electricity, to water, to health services and sanitation. No one has any interest in another conflict in Gaza. Everyone has a responsibility to avoid it. For months, the United Nations has warned that without addressing the structural problems of Gaza's electricity supply we would face a humanitarian crisis. Those warnings are now a reality.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“The power plant that supplies 30 per cent of Gaza's electricity stopped functioning on 16 April, due to a dispute between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas over taxation on fuel. The lines supplying power from Egypt into Gaza are often down for technical reasons. This leaves Israeli power lines, which provide some 60 per cent ofGaza's electricity, as the only reliable energy source. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Government has decided to cap its purchase of electricity from Israel for Gaza. If implemented, this decision would further reduce electricity supply to Gaza from Israel by some 30 per cent, plunging its population into a spiral of a humanitarian catastrophe. Since April, the majority of Palestinians in Gaza have been receiving about four hours of electricity per day.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“The result is a significant worsening of the humanitarian crisis that risks exploding into another conflict, which can only begin to be resolved by compromise, the implementation of intra-Palestinian agreements and an ending of the closures. In April, the Palestinian Government upheld its decision to reduce salary allowances to nearly 60,000 public sector employees in Gaza. While the Government needs to ensure its fiscal sustainability under increasingly difficult economic conditions, it is important that reforms or decisions to reduce expenditures be fairly distributed and made with consideration to the harsh conditions in Gaza. Gaza is also in the midst of an unprecedented energy crisis.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“However, during the past month, the complex dynamics on the ground have been creating an explosive environment. In Gaza, we are walking into another crisis with our eyes wide open. I am today warning the Security Council that unless urgent measures are taken to de-escalate, the crisis risks spiralling out of control, with devastating consequences for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Since Hamas established an administrative committee in March, aparallel institution to run Governmental affairs in Gaza, the intra-Palestinian political tug-of-war has led to a significant deterioration in relations between Fatah and Hamas.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“Mr. Mladenov: On the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, allow me to extend my warmest greetings to all our Muslims and wish them Ramadan Kareem. This briefing unfortunately follows on the heels of the despicable terrorist attacks in Minya and in Manchester. I offer my deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments and the people of Egypt and the United Kingdom. There is nojustification for terror. On his recent visit to the Middle East, while United States President Trump pressed for a common approach to addressing the scourge of extremism and terrorism, he also made it very clear that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is critical to combating this threat and to achieving peace in the region. I welcome his personal engagement and that of Arab, Israeli and Palestinian leaders to advance this goal.”
2017-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7953 (2017) · source
“Divisions within the region have opened the door to outside interference and manipulation, breeding instability and sectarian strife. Multilateral approaches and cooperation are necessary to address interlinked conflicts, cross-border humanitarian impacts and violent extremism. Let us not forget that behind the images of savagery, behind the shocking statistics of human suffering, there are millions fighting every day, not only for their own survival but, for the true humane essence of their cultures and societies. They are the true faces of the Middle East, and we must do all we can to help them prevail.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Member States, especially through a united Security Council, will have to assume the leading role, including by advancing the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions. In today's world, there can be no justification for terrorism, nor for the glorification ofthose who commit it. But without justice, dignity and the protection of human rights, communities will continue to fracture and provide fertile ground for extremists. To that end, the fragility of States must be addressed. Governments need to respond to the legitimate demands of their people and strengthen social cohesion and reconciliation. That is the first line of defence against extremism. Efforts to strengthen the voices of moderation and build religious tolerance must also be strengthened.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“I reiterate his urgent call for the Council to unite behind the United Nations-convened intra-Syrian talks in Geneva on political transition as per resolution 2254 (2015) and the 2012 Geneva communique (S/2012/522, annex). Efforts to revive engagement between Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a negotiated and sustainable peace must also be intensified. In that regard, I am encouraged by ongoing efforts by Egypt, Jordan and the United States to advance the prospects for peace. On 29 March, the League of Arab States convened in Jordan for their 28th annual summit where, once again, the leaders of 22 countries endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative. In closing, let me reiterate the words of Secretary- General Guterres that the region requires a surge in diplomacy for peace.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“The complexity of the region's conflicts means that political solutions based on justice, dignity and social cohesion are required to achieve and sustain peace. Developments on the political front continue. In Yemen, Special Envoy Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is consulting with key regional and international actors in an effort to build support for the framework of peace talks, as well as to mitigate the effects on the civilian population of military hostilities. On 12 April, the Security Council heard from Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who underscored that there can only be a political solution to the bloody conflict in Syria.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“In Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East, the situation continues to deteriorate as 18.8 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian assistance, including a shocking 10.3 million who require immediate help. More than 2 million are internally displaced and over 2 million children are acutely malnourished. I urge the Security Council and all stakeholders to do everything in their power to protect and spare civilians from the brutal effects of those conflicts and as required under international law. Regardless of the causes, whether defence or counter-terrorism, the abuse of human rights in the conduct of any conflict can never be justified. It serves only to reinforce the fundamental drivers of extremism and violence.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Over 5 million refugees are registered with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, with nearly 3 million in Turkey, over 1 million in Lebanon and more than 650,000 in Jordan, putting a huge social, economic and security strain on those societies. In Iraq, over 334,000 people are currently displaced in total as a result of fighting in Mosul. Let me note that most of them are people who have lived for two years under the barbaric rule of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. Owing to intense efforts by the Government and humanitarian partners in Iraq, operations have kept pace with growing needs but capacities are strained.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Listed terrorist organizations and other non-State actors, including armed groups such as Hizbullah, have thrived in the climate of weak governance and the failure to protect human rights that pervade the region. It is estimated that over 30,000 foreign terrorist fighters from over 100 Member States have travelled to the Middle East in recent years to join such groups. Their presence over expanses of territory and accumulation of resources and weaponry pose an increased threat to regional and international peace and security. Some foreign fighters have already returned to their home countries, spreading violence in their own communities. The humanitarian and social impact of the conflicts in the Middle East is catastrophic. In Syria, hundreds of thousands have been killed since 2011 and approximately half the population is displaced.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Meanwhile in Iraq, the security forces supported by the international anti-ISIL coalition are making progress in retaking Mosul. I welcome the efforts of the Government of Iraq to secure and rebuild destroyed areas and to advance the national reconciliation process. That will be essential to depriving ISIL of legitimacy, access to resources and support. Across the region, social exclusion and marginalization, particularly in areas of prolonged and unresolved conflicts, tend to provide fertile ground for the rise of violent extremism. Unity across ethnic and religious lines, reconciliation and a fair sharing of resources help heal wounds and isolate extremists.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Recognizing the vital progress achieved in restoring Lebanon's institutions to their full functioning, it will be essential for the country to seize the current momentum to counter the maintenance and alleged increase of weapons outside the authority of the State. Libya, as Special Representative Kobler briefed the Council yesterday (see S/PV.7927), has made important strides in the fight against ISIL, which no longer holds territory in that country. However, the stalled implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement is contributing to a political and security vacuum, putting Libya's population and its neighbours at risk of further destabilization. Armed groups have committed grave violations and abuses of human rights. It is critical that the political process be resumed, with the support of the international community.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“This is an area in which the Security Council has the primary responsibility, and I hope that it can unite to send a strong collective message that the perpetrators of such attacks will be held accountable. In Lebanon, on 12 April President Aoun decided to adjourn the tenure of the Lebanese Parliament for one month. It is hoped that this will allow time for Lebanon's leaders to agree on an election law, in accordance with the Constitution. The Council will soon receive the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004), which called for the disbanding and disarmament of all militias.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“One of the greatest contributions we all can make today to the defeat of listed terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISlL) and the Al-Nusra Front is to achieve a comprehensive and credible political settlement to the Syrian conflict and a political transition that is inclusive, democratic and participatory. Such an outcome would also help to enable a more unified international counter-terrorism response. I would like to briefly touch upon recent reports of the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. If confirmed, this abhorrent action would amount to a serious violation of international law and pose a threat to international peace and security.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“While the international community must do more to stand in solidarity with Syria's neighbours by increasing assistance and burden-sharing, the underlying causes of displacement must be addressed through a political solution to the ongoing conflict. In Syria, a democracy deficit, systematic repression and wholesale human rights violations, including by the Government - which holds the primary obligation to protect the human rights of all civilians in the country ~ have combined with a prolonged conflict to create a fertile ground for sectarian polarization, radicalism and violent extremism.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“I note that young Palestinians in refugee camps across the region remain particularly vulnerable to extremists and religious radicals, as living conditions in these communities remain extremely harsh. On 17 April, an estimated 1,500 Palestinian prisoners and detainees began an open-ended hunger strike to protest their conditions in Israeli prisons. I am also concerned by today's report of an attempt to smuggle explosive material from Gaza into Israel via medical material. Such actions will only exacerbate existing tensions. Turning to some broader regional dynamics, several States of the region continue to bear a massive burden from the flood of Syrian refugees.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Following the assassination of one of its militants, it temporarily put in place a series of restrictions preventing Palestinians and internationals from leaving and banning fishing for two weeks. On 6 April, three Palestinians were executed by Hamas in gross violation of international law and without a fair trial. These actions were condemned by the Secretary-General, and I am deeply concerned that further extrajudicial executions are anticipated in Gaza. On 7 April, nine people were killed in armed clashes between the newly formed Palestinian joint security forces and members of Islamist militants with links to Al-Qaeda in Lebanon's Ein El-Hilweh Palestine refugee camp.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“It is important that the burden of decisions to reduce expenditures be fairly distributed and made with due consideration to the harsh conditions under which people in Gaza live. Four months ago, Palestinians in Gaza went to the streets when people were left with only a few hours of electricity per day. The situation was temporarily resolved with the help of Qatar; however, a more serious crisis is now unfolding again as electricity is down to less than six hours per day. The social, economic and political consequences of these developments should not be underestimated. Meanwhile, Hamas continues to tighten its iron grip over Gaza by forming an administrative committee that is seen by many to be a direct challenge to the legitimate Palestinian Government.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Tenders for close to 2,000 housing units, the vast majority in major population centres close to the 1967 lines, were also issued. I take note of recent reports that Israel has adopted a policy of restraint by which construction will be advanced "almost exclusively" in the built-up areas of settlements, but it is too early to determine how this policy will manifest itself on the ground. Settlement construction is illegal under international law and I urge all such activities to cease. On the Palestinian side, multiple worrying developments are further cementing the Gaza-West Bank divide and dangerously increasing the risk of escalation. In April, the Palestinian Government reduced payments to thousands of Palestinian Authority employees in the Gaza Strip.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Ending the occupation and realizing a two-State solution will not solve all the region's problems, but as long as the conflict persists it will continue to feed them. Sporadic violence has continued in recent weeks, as five Palestinians and one Israeli were killed in various acts of violence. Among the fatalities were two Palestinian teenaged boys, shot by Israeli security forces outside Ramallah, as well as a British woman who was murdered by a Palestinian man in Jerusalem. In March, Israel approved the establishment of a new settlement and declared some 240 acres as State land inside the occupied Palestinian territory. These moves further undermine the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State in the West Bank.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Non-State actors have taken control of territory and terror attacks have spread indiscriminately, striking civilians of all origin and confession. From the onset, I would like to pay tribute to the countless victims of these senseless acts of violence and call on the international community to show its full and unwavering commitment to defeating terror and incitement, to supporting the forces of moderation against extremism, and to untangling the Gordian knot of political, economic and foreign forces that are driving the myriad conflicts in the Middle East. Developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict continue to resonate across the region. The question of Palestine remains a potent symbol and rallying cry that is easily misappropriated and exploited by extremist groups.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Mr. Mladenov: I thank you, Madam President, for this opportunity to again address the Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. I took note of the presidency's interest this month in discussing a number of issues pertaining to the Middle East and North Africa region. I will therefore highlight some of them in my presentation and defer to my fellow United Nations envoys who regularly brief the Council for greater detail on many of these challenges. Today, a perfect storm has engulfed the Middle East and continues to threaten international peace and security. Millions have been displaced in the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War. In many countries, societies have fractured along ethnic or religious lines.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“These international efforts must be accompanied by significant steps taken on the ground by the parties themselves in order to create an environment conducive to negotations. The United Nations will continue to call on and work with the parties and all interested stakeholders to find a just, sustainable and comprehensive solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“However, the continued restrictions on importing various other materials 4 considered dual-use by Israel but badly needed for humanitarian and development efforts - continue to be a major obstacle. Despite this positive development, much remains to be done. International engagement on reviving the peace process over the past three months has confirmed the consensus that a two-State solution is the only way to realize the national aspirations of both peoples. It is critical to ensure that the momentum built over the past year continues to expand and ultimately develop into a concrete vision to end the occupation and the wider conflict. Shaping a credible political horizon through reviving engagement between the parties with intensified international and regional support is essential to advancing that goal.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“The continuing deadly Violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory during the past three months also remains a concern. The recent increase in rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel is a worrying development. Such potentially lethal provocations are unnecessary, dangerous and risk devastating escalation. Resolution 2334 (2016) calls on all to "clearly condemn all acts of terrorism". The continued incitements to violence against Jews emanating from Hamas extremists and some Palestinian groups is unacceptable and undermines trust and the prospects for peace. Similarly, it is important to note that despite the continuing closures on Gaza, there has been an increase in the importation of building materials under the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“It is still crucial to ensure that they introduce significant policy changes that will increase Palestinian civil authority, support Palestinian development and preserve the prospect of a two-State solution, in line with the recommendations of the Middle East Quartet. The agreement to reactivate the Joint Water Commission, after six years of inactivity, is a step in the right direction, but much more can be done by both parties. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Palestinian President and Prime Minister for developing a national policy agenda. With foreign aid continuing to decline, it is critical that the Palestinian Authority and its international partners work together in a structured, transparent and accountable way.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“Resolution 2334 (2016) states that the international community will not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed to by the parties themselves through negotiations. Meanwhile, there has been little progress in promoting Palestinian development in Area C. I am particularly concerned about herding communities in Area C in the West Bank, who are struggling to maintain a minimum standard of living in the face of pressure to move. The United Nations has repeatedly stated that the relocation of communities without their fair and informed consent would contravene Israel's obligations as an occupying Power under international law. To foster a climate conducive to meaningful negotiations, Israel must do more to improve the daily lives of Palestinians.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“Many of the advancements that have been made in the past three months will further sever the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State and accelerate the fragmentation of the West Bank. The expansion of the settlement of Kfar Adumim, where 320 units were moved forward during the reporting period, is gradually dividing the northern and southern West Bank. Planned construction in Shiloh effectively extends the zone that cuts across the central West Bank. Announcements in Kokhav Yakov, situated between Ramallah and East Jerusalem, and in Shavei Shomron, located at a crossroads connecting the three major Palestinian cities of Nablus. Jenin and Tulkarem, are also of strategic significance. Such actions are in breach of international law and must stop. Settlement expansion undermines the very essence ofa two-State solution.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“I am encouraged by ongoing efforts to reach agreement with the parties on steps on the ground that will create the conditions for Palestinian economic development and advancing peace. In conclusion, I would like to share some broad observations about the reporting period. The January spike in illegal settlement announcements by Israel is deeply worrying. The large numbers of advancements, planned infrastructure development, legislative actions and moves to undertake large-scale demolitions vis-a-vis Palestinian communities in Area C indicate a clear intent to continue expanding the settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian territory. In the light of this, the adoption of the regularization law is a highly worrying development.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“The Arab League adopted a resolution that calls, inter alia, for developing an effective international mechanism to follow-up on the Paris conference for ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a two-State solution within a specific time frame. Last week, the United States Special Representative for International Negotiations visited Israel, the West Bank and Jordan for initial meetings with political, security and civil society leaders and religious and youth groups. In statements following meetings with the Israeli Prime Minister and the Palestinian President, the Special Representative reaffirmed the United States interest in advancing a genuine and lasting peace.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“As a follow-up, interested participants resolved to meet again before the end of 2017 to review progress and to support both sides in advancing a resolution to the conflict. In January, representatives of most Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, met in Moscow. The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation addressed the participants, stressing the need to overcome divisions on the basis of the Palestinian Liberation Organization political programme and the Arab Peace Initiative in order to create the conditions for meaningful negotiations. On 7 March, I addressed a session of the Council of the Arab League in Cairo, where I spoke of the need to recognize that true peace requires the recognition that both Palestinians and Israelis have legitimate national aspirations that can be realized only in two States.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“More than 225,000 tons of cement were imported through the temporary Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism - a significant increase over the previous three-month period. Israel also approved nearly 3,300 residential construction and reconstruction projects, compared to only 78 over the previous three months. During the reporting period there were no developments related to Member States' distinguishing, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied in 1967. There have, however, been efforts by the international community to take up its responsibility to resolve the conflict. In that respect, I would like to note the international conference hosted by France on 15 January, which was attended by representatives of some 70 countries.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“This comes on the heels of agreements on electricity, 3G and postal services that have been signed in the past six months. It is also important to note that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority remain committed to maintaining security coordination amid increasing political and popular pressure on the Palestinian Authority to cease such coordination. I take this opportunity to note the professionalism of the Palestinian security forces in providing public order. They operate in a highly volatile environment, and I encourage Israel and the international community to continue supporting the advancement of their capacity and capability. The reporting period also saw progress in Gaza reconstruction and recovery.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“In January, the Palestinian Government approved the general budget for 2017 and, owing to the strong fiscal performance in the previous year, was able to reduce the budget deficit. Continued fiscal discipline and a push for revenue growth will be essential during this year as economic and financial conditions are likely to continue to be restrictive. In a positive development, on 15 January, after six years of inactivity, Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed to reactivate the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Water Committee. It was established under the Oslo agreements in order to improve the water infrastructure and supply in the West Bank and Gaza. The new agreement outlines the types of water projects that need approval by the Joint Water Committee, and thus by default those not requiring approval.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“Resolution 2334 (2016) reiterates the call of the Middle East Quartet on both parties to take affirmative steps to reverse the negative trends on the ground that are imperilling the two-State solution. Allow me to outline some of the moves taken by Israel and the Palestinian Authority that may be broadly considered to be in this context. In February, the Palestinian Authority took a significant step towards strengthening its institutions and improving governance, by finalizing the Palestinian national policy agenda for 2017-2022. The agenda reiterates the Palestinian Authority's commitment to State-building and to guaranteeing the rule of law. Continued support for the Palestinian Authority in providing governance and security remains critical.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source
“A senior leader, addressing a rally following the truck ramming, sent "a message of encouragement and support for every jihadi who carries out an attack that puts an end to the acts of the Zionist enemy". Regrettably, Palestinian Authority officials have not condemned those attacks, while Fatah's social media pages continue to commemorate perpetrators of previous attacks against Israeli civilians. Provocative statements also continued on the Israeli side. A number of politicians have called for the annexation of parts or all the West Bank and for a categorical denial of Palestinian statehood. One political leader called the notion ofa Palestinian State a "historic disaster" and a "hallucination", while another spoke of only the Jewish people having "national rights" between the Jordan and the sea.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7908 (2017) · source