YouSaid · the spoken record

Mladenov

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1,041

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2013-11-25

most recent

2020-09-29

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54

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un-security-council

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1. “In the absence of a credible path back to negotiations, we all face a heightened risk of violence — violence that will drag both peoples and the region into a spiral of escalation with no end in sight.”

   2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source

2. “The United Nations remains deeply committed to working with Israelis and Palestinians and with our international and regional partners to realize the objective of a lasting and just peace. As the Secretary-General has said, that goal can be achieved only through realizing the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. There is no other road to achieve this goal, except through negotiations. There is no other framework except the one that Israelis and Palestinians together agree on, a framework based on the relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.”

   2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source

3. “Today, however, it is not enough to just reaffirm our positions. Today is the time to hear proposals on how to move the process forward and find our way back to a mutually agreed mediation framework that ensures that meaningful negotiations can restart. While it is hard to envision a comprehensive agreement between the parties under the current circumstances, let me strongly underline that we must avoid continued entrenchment in the status quo. Continuing on the current trajectory, described in the 2016 Middle East Quartet report (see S/2016/595), would only push Palestinians and Israelis further apart, deepen the occupation and imperil the future viability of the two-State solution.”

   2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source

4. “They would close the door to negotiations, have negative repercussions across the region and severely undermine opportunities for normalization and regional peace. Just as unilateral steps will not resolve the conflict, those who reject the proposal should not turn to violence. That would be the worst possible response at this sensitive moment. Instead, what is needed today is political leadership and serious reflection on what needs to be done to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. I hope that the Council will join the Secretary- General’s call for a negotiated solution to the conflict and constructive engagement between the parties. The United Nations has long supported a two-State solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of United Nations resolutions, international law and prior agreements.”

   2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source

5. “Following the release of the United States proposal, senior Israeli officials vowed to unilaterally annex large portions of the West Bank, including all Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley. The United States has announced that it will establish a joint committee with Israel to produce a more detailed version of the conceptual maps included in the proposal, which would in turn allow it to recognize an Israeli decision to apply its laws in specified areas in the West Bank. The Secretary-General has consistently spoken out against unilateral steps and plans for annexation. Such steps, including the possible annexation of territory in the West Bank or similar moves, would have a devastating impact on the prospects for a two-State solution.”

   2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source

6. “Some Member States have expressed their hope that the release of the vision would be an opportunity to bring the parties back to the negotiating table, in the interest of advancing a two-State solution. The United Nations policy on the issue is defined by the relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements. In the days since the proposal was unveiled, we have, unfortunately, witnessed some sporadic violent incidents throughout the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in and around Gaza. Further escalation or provocations would be a concerning development. They could complicate the situation on the ground and would serve only those who seek to radicalize people and undermine efforts to achieve peace. Today all must show restraint and clearly and unequivocally condemn violence whenever it occurs.”

   2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source

7. “Mr. Mladenov: On 28 January, the United States presented its vision for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, which it proposed as the basis for negotiations between the parties. The Palestinian Government has rejected the proposal. The League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also released statements rejecting the proposal, saying that it did not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people. The European Union High Representative said that the proposal departs from “internationally agreed parameters”. A number of African Union member States also rejected the proposal during their recent summit. Meanwhile, senior figures in Israel’s Government have welcomed the proposal, saying that they would be willing to use it as the basis for direct negotiations.”

   2020-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8717 (2020) · source

8. “I once again urge leaders on all sides to summon the necessary political will to take concrete steps in support of ending the occupation and realizing a lasting peace, resulting in two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, within secure and recognized borders and with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.”

   2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

9. “As I have consistently stated, it is not enough to call for the renewal of our collective efforts to that end. We must take concrete action. Absent the renewed commitment of the parties and the international community to pursue concrete measures that will lead to genuine political progress, the situation will continue to worsen. The Israeli- Palestinian conflict is in a fragile phase, with the occupation deepening, political uncertainty prevailing and volatile regional dynamics threatening to further destabilize the situation.”

   2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

10. “I also call on Member States to support the 2020 humanitarian response plan for the occupied Palestinian territory, launched on 11 December. The plan calls for approximately $348 million to provide basic food, protection, health care, shelter, water and sanitation to about 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This month marks three years since the adoption of resolution 2334 (2016). The situation on the ground since then has only deteriorated. Settlements have expanded significantly, demolitions have accelerated, violence and incitement have continued, achieving intra-Palestinian unity remains elusive and credible negotiations have yet to be launched. I remain greatly concerned by the persistent lack of progress towards ending the occupation and realizing a negotiated two- State solution.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

11. “I am hopeful that the Palestinian President will very soon issue a decree scheduling legislative and presidential elections and that Israel will allow voting in East Jerusalem. Despite the partial agreement reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on 3 October on clearance revenues, it remains critical that both sides engage in a constructive manner with the goal of restoring the revenue transfers in full, in accordance with the Paris Protocol on Economic Relations. The financial situation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, unfortunately, has also continued to worsen. Urgent disbursement of donor funds is essential to ensure that operations can be sustained through the end of the year.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

12. “As I emphasized in my previous briefing to the Council (see S/PV.8669), three critical elements are required for elections to be credible - first, they must be organized across the occupied Palestinian territory, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza, in line with the Palestinian basic law, electoral legislation and international best practices; secondly, both legislative and presidential elections are necessary and should be held within a clearly identified and reasonable time frame; and, thirdly, broad intra-Palestinian agreement must be reached on the modalities of holding such elections. Palestinians have been denied their democratic right to vote for too long.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

13. “It is also critical to end the militant build-up in Gaza and the constant threat of rocket fire, and to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under a single, legitimate Palestinian national authority, in accordance with the recommendations of the 2016 Middle East Quartet report (see S/2016/595). In that context, it is critical that the important Egyptian-led intra-Palestinian reconciliation efforts continue. The United Nations stands firm in its support of Egypt's efforts in that regard. I call on all Palestinian factions to make serious efforts to advance Palestinian unity. I welcome ongoing discussions on the holding of Palestinian general elections. If elections materialize, they would be the first Palestinian elections since 2006, giving renewed legitimacy to national institutions. The international community should support that process.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

14. “Without additional funding and a durable Israeli and Palestinian commitment, the situation in Gaza could once again be pushed to the brink of collapse. The stakes are too high to allow that to happen. All stakeholders must act to prevent the ongoing crisis in Gaza from deepening further. On its own, no amount of humanitarian or economic support will resolve either the situation in Gaza or the broader conflict. Gaza ultimately requires political solutions. Taking into consideration its legitimate security concerns, I urge Israel to ease the restrictions on the movement of goods and people to and from Gaza, with the goal of ultimately lifting them. Only by fully lifting the closures, in line with resolution 1860 (2009), can we hope to sustainably resolve the humanitarian crisis.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

15. “Regrettably, statements on the prospect of annexation of the Jordan Valley and other parts of the West Bank also continue. Such steps, if implemented, would constitute a serious violation of international law and would be destructive to the realization of the two-State solution and the prospects for peace. September marked one year since the start of the implementation of the United Nations package of urgent humanitarian and economic interventions for Gaza. The efforts to date have achieved important results, yet the situation remains very fragile. Security risks abound, movement and access restrictions remain severe and there has been no progress towards intra-Palestinian unity. Some of the investments made to date, as a result of efforts by the United Nations, will end on 31 December.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

16. “Reports of increased numbers of settler-related attacks and harassment are also deeply concerning, particularly around the olive harvest season and in Hebron. Further measures must be taken to ensure that Israel fulfils its obligations to protect Palestinian civilians from violence, including by settlers, and to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for such attacks. Provocative and inflammatory rhetoric during the reporting period continued to deepen the divide and fuelled further mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians. Leaders and officials must set a tone that encourages tolerance and facilitates increased dialogue. I am particularly appalled by the racist and inflammatory statements that aim to spread fear and hatred among people. I call on all to join the United Nations to condemn all such statements.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

17. “The indiscriminate launching of rockets and mortars towards Israeli civilian population centres is prohibited by international humanitarian law, and Palestinian militants must immediately cease that practice. The security situation in Gaza remains very fragile. The use of force by Israel at the Gaza perimeter fence and the number of Palestinians killed and injured also remains a significant concern. Security forces must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when strictly necessary and in response to an imminent threat of death or serious injury. Hamas must stop the firing of rockets and ensure that protests remain peaceful. Children should never be the target of violence or be used or put in harm's way.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

18. “The continued demolition and seizure of Palestinian structures, including internationally funded humanitarian projects, is also of significant concern. That practice is not in line with international humanitarian law and must stop. Affected populations must be duly compensated for damages incurred. Similarly, the high number of Palestinian households in East Jerusalem with eviction cases filed against them is alarming. As an occupying Power, Israel must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law. I remain gravely concerned about the continuing violence, terror attacks against civilians and incitement to violence, which greatly exacerbate mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians and are fundamentally incompatible with a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

19. “In the three years since the Council adopted resolution 2334 (2016), plans for over 22,000 units have been advanced or approved in West Bank settlements, including in East Jerusalem. Tenders for approximately 8,000 units have been issued. Those numbers should be of serious concern to all who continue to support the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian State alongside Israel. Resolution 2334 (2016) clearly states that the establishment of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. Settlements must therefore cease immediately and completely.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

20. “In recent weeks, the United Nations has continued its engagement with senior Palestinian officials and different factions towards holding inclusive elections throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. In preparation for possible 2020 parliamentary and presidential elections, and upon the request for technical assistance from Palestine's Central Elections Commission, a United Nations electoral needs assessment mission was deployed to the occupied Palestinian territory earlier this week. On 10 December, the Palestinian Authority announced that it had officially sent a request to Israel to allow Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem to participate in potential presidential and legislative elections. I would like to focus on some of the observations concerning the implementation of the resolution's provisions.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

21. “Several dozen Israeli activists from the Tag Meir forum visited the Shuafat neighbourhood following the attack in order to express their rejection of the violence and their solidarity with Shuafat's residents. They were hosted by Hussein and Suha Abu Khdeir, whose son Mohammad was murdered in a terror attack in 2014. Resolution 2334 (2016), in its paragraph 7, calls upon the parties "to refrain from provocative actions, incitement, and inflammatory rhetoric". Unfortunately, such actions and rhetoric have continued. The resolution also reiterated calls by the Middle East Quartet for affirmative steps to be taken immediately to reverse negative trends on the ground that are imperilling the two-State solution.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

22. “While most demonstrations remained relatively peaceful, some protesters engaged in violent activities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded with riot-dispersal means and live fire, injuring some 38 people. On 17 December, a Palestinian was killed by an Israeli drone as he approached the perimeter fence. According to the IDF, the man was armed. Three rockets were also launched by Gaza militants towards Israel, causing no injuries. On 9 December, assailants slashed the tires of more than 160 Palestinian cars in the Shuafat neighbourhood of East Jerusalem and sprayed anti-Arab graffiti. Additional vehicles were vandalized or set on fire in two villages in Bethlehem and in another two villages in Ramallah. The Israeli police are investigating the Shuafat incident.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

23. “Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures also continued across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since 6 December, an additional eight structures were demolished or seized by the Israeli authorities, resulting in the displacement of some 20 people. In its paragraph 6, resolution 2334 (2016) also "calls for immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians". Unfortunately, the violence continues, even during the few days since the submission of the report. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, 16 Palestinians were injured in various incidents, including in clashes with the Israeli security forces during demonstrations, security operations, settler-related attacks and other incidents since the end of the reporting period. Protests at the Gaza perimeter fence have also continued.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

24. “Mr. Mladenov: On behalf of the Secretary- General, I will devote my regular briefing on the situation in the Middle East to presenting the twelfth report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) (8/2019/938). The report covers the period between 12 September and 6 December 2019. As members have already received the written report, in today's briefing I will provide a brief update on developments related to the provisions of the resolution that have taken place following the submission of the report to the Council. As detailed in the report, no steps were taken during the reporting period to "cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem", as demanded by the Council in paragraph 2 of the resolution.”

    2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source

25. “The United Nations will continue our efforts to prevent another devastating conflict despite all odds. Upholding the international consensus on resolving the conflict and all final status issues on the basis of the two-State solution, as per relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and mutual agreements, is just as important. Unilateral moves fuel anger and disillusionment and significantly undermine the prospects for establishing a contiguous and viable Palestinian State with Jerusalem as the future capital of both States.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

26. “For too long, they have been denied that right and division has set in. A Whole generation's voice for the future has yet to be heard. Intra-Palestinian division is like a cancer eating away at the aspiration for statehood, peace and the commitment to democracy, rule of law and human rights. Elections are not a gift; they are a right. If elections are to build unity, they must take place in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. How can we heal the devastating division if people in Gaza are not able to vote for their future as well? The United Nations will do all that is necessary to support a successful Palestinian election process, but we must be cognizant of broader risks as well. The continuing risk of war threatens to upend all our efforts to prevent escalation and revive a political process.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

27. “The United Nations has called for a swift formation of Government that is responsive to the protestors' aspirations and has the Parliament's backing. The United Nations also encourages the Lebanese security forces to continue to protect peaceful demonstrators. In the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), following decreased joint operations with the Lebanese Armed Forces prompted by the popular protests, UNIFIL's operations, in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, returned to normal levels in early November. The Council will be briefed on resolution 1701 (2006) on 25 November. In closing, I would like to return to the issue of the long-overdue Palestinian elections. The Palestinian people have a right to vote and elect their leaders.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

28. “On 20 November, the IDF carried out air strikes against what it described as Iranian Quds Force and Syrian armed forces targets in Syria. Further details of the developments in the occupied Golan will be reported in the Secretary- General's report on UNDOF, to be submitted to the Security Council on 3 December. In Lebanon, peaceful nationwide and non-sectarian demonstrations, triggered by frustration against Government policies, led to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri on 29 October. Security forces have largely responded with restraint, allowing peaceful demonstrations to continue despite heightened tensions at roadblocks. After one month of unabated protests, a political deadlock hinders the nomination of a Prime Minister-designate and the formation of a new Government, amidst a rapidly deteriorating economic situation.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

29. “I welcome the extension of the UNRWA mandate until 2023, as adopted by the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly on 15 November, but given the stakes, I urge the swift mobilization of support to enable the Agency to sustain its operations. Turning now briefly to other developments in the region, the situation in the Golan remains calm. However, the continued violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement remain of concern, particularly in this volatile time for the region. On 19 November, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) observed two unidentified objects being fired from a location on the Alpha side and heard three explosions. The IDF informed UNDOF that it had intercepted rockets fired from Syria. The Syrian authorities informed UNDOF that they had no knowledge of any firing of rockets.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

30. “The United Nations stands ready to assist that process. In a positive development, on 11 November UN- Women, with support from the Government of Norway, launched a $1.2-million programme to support the advancement of the women and peace and security agenda in Palestine, including the development of the Palestinian national action plan for the next four years on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We have regularly updated the Council and its members on the financial challenges that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) continues to face. Cash flow is reaching a record low.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

31. “Attacks on Palestinians and their property in the context of the annual olive harvest have continued despite preventive measures adopted by the Israeli authorities. These attacks, along with the restrictions on Palestinian farmers' access to their land in areas adjacent to Israeli settlements and behind the West Bank barrier, have undermined agricultural livelihoods. Despite the agreement reached last month between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which resulted in the transfer of some $425 million of clearance revenues to the Authority, the underlying disagreements between the two parties remain, including over Israel's deductions. It remains critical that both sides engage in a constructive manner with the goal of restoring the revenue transfers in full, in line with the Paris Protocol on Economic Relations.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

32. “In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, 46 Palestinians, including nine children, and three Israelis were injured in various incidents, including during clashes, search-and-arrest operations and settler-related violence. On 11 November, a 22-year- old Palestinian man was killed in circumstances that indicate that he did not pose a threat. Such acts must be thoroughly and impartially investigated and the perpetrators held accountable. The IDF has reportedly launched an investigation into that incident. Four days later on 15 November, a Palestinian journalist lost an eye after being reportedly shot by the Israeli security forces while covering a demonstration in the village of Surif, north of Hebron. I remain concerned by the continuing and sometimes escalating settler-related violence.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

33. “The United Nations position remains unchanged. As per resolution 2334 (2016), Israeli settlement activities are a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures have also continued across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Citing the absence of Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain in Area C and East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished or seized 48 structures, resulting in the displacement of 101 Palestinians, including 46 children. This practice must immediately cease. Violence also continues across the occupied Palestinian territory.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

34. “As Palestinians hopefully accelerate their efforts to hold elections, the Israeli-Palestinian political deadlock continues to manifest itself in the continuation of negative trends on the ground. On 1 November, some 2,600 housing units were advanced by the Civil Administration High Planning Committee, including 182 units in Mevo'ot Yeriho, an outpost in the Jordan Valley that the Israeli Government decided in September to retroactively legalize as a new settlement. Other notable plans include 382 units in the Dolev settlement, west of Ramallah, and 609 units in the large urban settlement of Beitar Illit, west of Bethlehem. I take the opportunity to reiterate that we regret the announcement made on 18 November by the United States that it no longer views settlements as inconsistent with international law.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

35. “Renewing the legitimacy of all national institutions is important for the future of the Palestinian people. In my discussions, I have emphasized all the critical elements required for elections to be credible. First, they must be organized across the occupied Palestinian territory - in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza - in line with the Palestinian Basic Law, electoral legislation and international best practices. Secondly, both legislative and presidential elections are necessary and should be held within a clearly identified and reasonable timeframe. Thirdly, broad intra-Palestinian agreement must be reached on the modalities of holding elections.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

36. “If we want a way out of this crisis that leads to something more than just another ceasefire, the road is clear. There must be no more firing of rockets, retaliatory strikes or provocations; the understandings that sustain calm in Gaza must be upheld; efforts must be redoubled to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and lift the closures; and the focus must be towards a long-term, sustainable political solution that includes allowing the Palestinian people throughout the occupied territory to vote and elect their leaders for the first time since 2006. In recent weeks, I have engaged with senior Palestinian officials and different factions and am encouraged that all sides have moved from their entrenched positions and made important concessions towards making elections a more realistic prospect.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

37. “The only way to ensure this goal is to work towards and achieve a two- State solution - one that is based on relevant United Nations resolutions and in which Gaza is an integral part of the future State of Palestine. Protests in Gaza at the Gaza perimeter fence have also continued, with a small number of participants engaging in violent activities. The IDF responded with riot dispersal means and live fire, injuring over 300 people, including women and children. The Israeli security forces must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly necessary, as a last resort, and in response to an imminent threat of death or serious injury, in accordance with international law. Hamas must ensure that protests at the fence remain peaceful and prevent provocations.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

38. “Israel cannot continue with its policy of closures that stifle development. Palestinian leaders cannot continue to avoid the devastating consequences of their internal political division. I take this opportunity to thank those in the international community who have contributed to the implementation of the AHLC plan and call on all to increase their support to United Nations programmes on the ground. Most urgent is the need to address the collapse of the health system in Gaza. Nevertheless, our important humanitarian engagement must not divert us from the political goal of helping Palestinians to develop freely, without relentless occupation, and Israelis to live in security, free from the fear of terror and rockets.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

39. “Over the past year and a half, the United Nations has worked hard to prevent escalation and to implement the United Nations package for Gaza as endorsed by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the Coordination of the International Assistance to Palestinians (AHLC). As a result of that work, the electricity supply was restored to an average of 13 hours per day; more than 16,000 temporaryjobs were created; and work is progressing on reviving an industrial zone to create long-term economic opportunities. All those measures have admittedly eased tensions but they fall far short of what is required in terms of both financial resources as well as political commitment by Palestinian leaders and measures by Israel. Gaza ultimately requires a political solution. Militant activity cannot continue to undermine the chances for peace and development.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

40. “There is no justification for the killing of civilians anywhere. I want to recognize today the extraordinary effort by Egypt, working closely with the United Nations, to ensure that calm in Gaza was restored after 48 hours of hostilities. Had our efforts failed, we would certainly be in the midst of another war that would be far worse than the terrible conflict in 2014. However, the dangers have not passed. Although for now the arrangements that came into effect in the early hours of 14 November are holding, sporadic rocket launches have continued, prompting Israeli retaliation. But there are also other risks. Israeli closures and intra-Palestinian division feed a desperate reality. Militant activity, rocket fire and retaliatory air strikes constantly risk more violence.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

41. “The indiscriminate launching of rockets and mortars at civilian population centres is unacceptable and must stop immediately. In response to the rocket attacks, the IDF conducted a number of strikes against PI] and militant targets in Gaza. Thirty-four Palestinians were killed, more than 20 of whom were identified by the IDF as militants and including three women and eight children. One of the fatalities was reportedly caused by a Palestinian rocket falling short inside Gaza. In total, 109 people were also injured. Among the people killed in Gaza were eight members ofa family, who were killed in a single Israeli strike. The IDF has reportedly admitted that their home was mistakenly targeted. That is a tragic and heinous incident and must be thoroughly and impartially investigated.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

42. “Mr. Mladenov: We meet today in the aftermath of the most serious recent escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. Although the immediate crisis was defused, the situation remains highly volatile. Following Israel's targeted killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Commander Baha Abu al-Ata in Gaza, Palestinian militants launched more than 500 rockets towards Israel. This latest escalation was preceded on 1 November by some 10 rockets that were launched from Gaza towards Israel, one of them hitting a house in Sderot city. While, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 90 per cent of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome, those that landed caused damage to residential and commercial property. Seventy-eight Israelis were treated for injuries or shock.”

    2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8669 (2019) · source

43. “As in Israel and Palestine, so in the rest of the Middle East, our collective efforts must be guided by the Charter of the United Nations. In each conflict in the region, preventive diplomacy and de-escalation are critical elements of our engagement. Long-term sustainable peace, however, can be based only on justice, human rights and international law.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source

44. “We can no longer continue to address Gaza's critical needs on a month-to-month basis while failing to confront the broader political reality, including the stiffening closures, Violence and lack of unity. Similarly, we can no longer disregard the cracks emerging in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Settlement construction and expansion continue, the PA financial crisis is not resolved and the economy continues to stagnate. Therefore, we must reassert that to advance the goal of lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the only way forward is to return to the negotiations with the goal of two States, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition, based on relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and prior agreements.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source

45. “As we work to address the threats to international peace and security in the Middle East, we must never forget that preventive diplomacy is one of the most important tools that we can use in order to defuse tensions before they turn into confrontation. The people of the Middle East have seen enough violence and injustice. The region cannot afford another war and we must continue our efforts to de-escalate tensions and create openings for political solutions in the interest of peace. In that context, I would like to return to the Israeli-Palestinian question and remind everyone that despite our collective efforts to prevent war in Gaza, those efforts cannot be sustained on a purely humanitarian basis. They need a political perspective that illuminates a path forward to intra-Palestinian unity and, ultimately, a two-State solution.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source

46. “The Secretary-General and the Security Council have made it clear that a sustainable solution can be reached only through a United Nations-facilitated, credible political process, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015). It is hoped that the launch of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva will be the first step in a broader political process that will meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians. Meanwhile, in the occupied Golan, the situation has remained calm. The ceasefire between Israel and Syria continues to be maintained in an environment that remains volatile. Violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, including breaches of the ceasefire line, continue to occur.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source

47. “As of 27 October, the Independent High Commission of Human Rights had registered 74 deaths and 3,654 injured - most of whom were treated and have left the hospital - as well as 90 buildings burned. In Syria, in almost nine years of conflict we have witnessed the devastating toll on civilians, including serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, systematic detention and torture, attacks on medical facilities, schools and camps for internally displaced persons and the erosion of norms prohibiting the use of chemical weapons. A whole generation of Syrian children has grown up in war. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and half the country's population has been displaced.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source

48. “The report of a governmental investigation, released on 22 October, put the total number of fatalities at 157, citing a lack of control at the local level by senior officials, in addition to the unauthorized use of force, including live ammunition, by security forces. The Government in Baghdad has announced measures to address the legitimate demands of the protesters, including employment opportunities for young Iraqis and housing subsidies for the poor. A second round of large-scale demonstrations started in the late evening of 24 October in Baghdad and other locations in the south and continues to date. Intense clashes have been reported, along with the destruction of public and private property and the presence of armed spoilers.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source

49. “Turning to developments in the region, popular protests continue to take place in several countries, from Jordan to Iraq to Lebanon, with people demanding improvements to theirdaily lives and an endto corruption. In Lebanon, an estimated 1.5 million Lebanese have engaged in largely peaceful demonstrations against the deteriorating economic situation and corruption. In response, on 21 October the Council of Ministers adopted a series of reform measures and finalized the 2020 State budget, with a 0.6 per cent public deficit target. The protests, however, continue, with calls for the resignation of the Government. In Iraq, from 1 to 9 October anti-Government protests took place across the country, notably in Baghdad and in the southern governorates, and turned violent, resulting in scores of fatalities.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source

50. “In recent months, Palestinian women have been actively voicing their demands for recognition of their political, social and economic rights and protection against gender-based violence. I am concerned, however, about the 17 October decision by the Ramallah Magistrate Court that ordered the blocking ofsome 50 Palestinian and Arabic websites and Facebook pages deemed critical of the Palestinian Authority and its officials. The fundamental right of freedom of opinion and expression and its associated freedom to receive information are important and must be protected. Following criticism from the Journalist Syndicate and a petition from the National Human Rights Institution, the interpretation of the cybercrime presidential decree, which was used as the legal basis for the decision, was referred to the Constitutional Court on 24 October.”

    2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source