YouSaid · the spoken record

Serry

lines on the record: 746
first: 2008-02-26
most recent: 2015-03-26
sittings or episodes: 33
sources: un-security-council

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“In my own statement, I also highlighted the fact that, with the prospects created by the important new resolution 1850 (2008), in the uncertain period ahead we have to make sure that we are able to continue this process with great vigour in the coming year. I highlighted in particular one issue that, I think, has been highlighted in almost all the contributions to today's debate - the difficult situation in Gaza. Again, I appreciate the many expressions of strong support that I have heard around this table for the urgent appeal I have been making in the Council on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the calm to be respected and extended. In the meantime, if one has followed today's events, one knows why that is important, because we have heard from the press in Gaza statements that call the extension of the calm into question.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Mr. Serry: It has indeed been a long day, so I will be brief. First of all, let me thank all those delegations that have expressed appreciation to me and to the Secretary-General for our work and contributions to the various aspects of the peace process. I have listened, of course, with close attention to this debate and I must say that I, too, return this evening to Jerusalem with a feeling that it has largely been very constructive. I should like in particular to welcome the contributions made by the representatives of Palestine and Israel. I think that this is the spirit that we should take with us into the new year.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The challenge now is to build on that platform and turn the promise of peace into reality. I am convinced that that can, and must, be done. The diplomatic process and improvements on the ground must reinforce each other and move swiftly forward. A comprehensive peace in the region, with an end of occupation and the creation of a Palestinian State living at peace with Israel at its heart, is possible, necessary and urgent.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“To conclude, after nearly a year as the Secretary- General's envoy based in Jerusalem, I and my team at the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process continue to actively pursue contacts with the parties in the region and with Quartet colleagues, in order to contain crises and find solutions to immediate concerns on the ground, particularly in Gaza. We are continuing to promote compliance with commitments and obligations, support dialogue and negotiations on the core issues, and advance the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003) and, now, 1850 (2008). An important platform for peace has been established in 2008 thanks to the efforts of the parties and the support of the international community.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“While rubble removal and reconstruction in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared continue, underfunding of the current appeals for relief of the displaced and for reconstruction of the camp remains a serious concern. Recent pledges include $1 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund. The situation in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been generally quiet during the past month. UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces have continued coordinated operational activities throughout the area south of the Litani River. Israeli air violations continued during the past month.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“As called for by the election law adopted earlier this year, the 10 members of the Election Campaign Supervisory Commission, charged with ensuring compliance with regulatory provisions on campaign spending and media coverage, were appointed during a cabinet session on 13 December. In the context of the run-up to the 2009 legislative elections, prominent Lebanese political leaders have continued reaching out to one another in an effort to ease tensions. For example, on 27 October, a meeting took place between the leader of the majority bloc, Member of Parliament Saad Hariri, and the Secretary-General of Hezbollah for the first time in 30 months.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“On 11 December, Lebanon and Syria exchanged official documents on the locations of their future respective embassies in Damascus and Beirut. Visits by Lebanese officials and party leaders to Syria have continued. On 10 November, the Lebanese Interior Minister held talks with his Syrian counterpart in Damascus on matters of security coordination. The two Ministers agreed to establish a committee to follow up and coordinate security issues between the two countries. On 28 November, Lebanese Army commander, General Kahwaji, paid a visit to Syria and discussed cooperation between the armies of both countries with his counterpart and with President Assad. Lebanese Member of Parliament Michel Aoun, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, went on a five- day visit to Syria.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“Important efforts to promote comprehensive regional peace were made in the reporting period, including a joint letter from Prince Saud Al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Amre Moussa, to United States President-elect Obama, underscoring the commitment of the Arab world to the comprehensive proposal made in the Arab Peace Initiative. In Lebanon, the situation has been relatively quiet during this past month. The various initiatives taken by political leaders at national and local levels to bring a measure of stability to the country have, in general terms, continued to hold. Nevertheless, a limited number of isolated security incidents took place throughout the country, all of which were contained without sparking further violence.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“I was in contact myself with the governor of Hebron and the Israeli authorities during the crisis to support efforts to end the violence. I commend the restraint of Palestinian Authority security forces and the efforts made by the parties to ensure that that incident was contained, and I note the forceful denunciation of the settler attacks by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. I turn now to the search for regional stability and peace, on which I have held consultations in Damascus, Amman and Cairo during the reporting period. No further rounds of indirect Israeli-Syrian talks have taken place, but we look forward to their continuation and intensification. The situation in the occupied Syrian Golan remains quiet, but Israeli settlement activity continues.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“We welcome the evacuation by Israeli security forces of settlers from a house in Hebron on 4 December. We urge further action by Israel to remove settler outposts in accordance with the Road Map and address the growing threat of settler extremism. That threat was made clear in the aftermath of the evacuation in Hebron, when settlers and their supporters rioted through areas of the city under Israeli, and later Palestinian, security control, attacking Palestinian civilians, torching and damaging cars, houses and public buildings, desecrating mosques and graves and uprooting olive trees. We unequivocally condemn that violence, in which 14 Palestinians were injured. I welcome the reaction of the Security Council on that issue and remind Israel of its obligation to protect the civilian Palestinian population under occupation.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“Another key element is action on the Road Map commitments. In the reporting period, illegal Israeli settlement activity continued in the majority of settlements in East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, and Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem remain closed. Contrary to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, construction of the barrier continues in deviation from the Green Line within occupied Palestinian territory. We continue to call on Israel to implement its Road Map commitments. We urge any new Israeli Government to decisively address the question of settlement expansion, which threatens the two-State solution itself. Israel must also refrain from unilateral actions in Jerusalem that alter the status quo or undermine trust.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“The Palestinian Authority has finalized and presented its budget for 2009, which foresees continued fiscal adjustment and reforms and envisages a shift in expenditure from recurrent items towards development projects, especially community projects. There is an urgent need to secure adequate and predictable financing from donors to finance the recurrent deficit for 2009. The overall challenge is to take the incremental steps that have been implemented, intensify and multiply them and make them transformative. One key element is further action to implement the measures of Quartet Representative Blair, including full observance of the moratorium on house demolitions, additional steps in the northern West Bank, further removal of specified movement restrictions, actions to build confidence in East Jerusalem, and further measures in Area C.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“We strongly encourage further steps to ease movement and access, given the significant improvements in security on the ground. We also welcome the release on 15 December of 227 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to President Abbas. Between 27 and 29 November, a trade fair took place in Jenin, attended by approximately 200,000 Palestinians. Around 4,500 Palestinian citizens of Israel came to Jenin on that occasion - the largest such influx to Jenin for over seven years. An investment conference in London on 15 December, hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and attended by Prime Minister Fayyad, Quartet Representative Blair and Palestinian and international business people, showcased new business partnerships formed since the Bethlehem Investment Conference in May, and forged more such partnerships.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“I continue to work closely with Prime Minister Fayyad to support those efforts of Palestinian self-empowerment and to promote further-reaching measures by the Israelis to enable those efforts, so as to produce a paradigm shift on the ground. Palestinian Authority security forces continue their efforts to impose law and order and meet the Road Map commitments on security throughout the West Bank. Efforts are continuing in Jenin and Nablus, forces were deployed in Hebron several weeks ago and deployment in Bethlehem has begun ahead of the Christmas celebrations. Despite the 620 obstacles to movement and access that remain across the West Bank, an easing of restrictions around the Nablus area was instituted on 7December.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“It cannot be in the interests of the Palestinian people for essential cornerstones of Palestinian legitimacy and national aspirations to be challenged. I now turn to the situation in the West Bank, where, during the reporting period, two Palestinian militants were killed and 79 civilians injured in Israel Defense Force and settler violence. Most of those injuries were incurred during anti-barrier demonstrations. Despite the adversities on the ground, the efforts of the Palestinian Authority, together with unprecedented donor support and improved Israeli- Palestinian security cooperation, are enhancing security and creating prospects for economic improvements.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“When foreign ministers of the League of Arab States met in Cairo on 26 November in Cairo, they called on President Abbas to continue his mandate until such time as Palestinian reconciliation is possible and presidential and legislative elections can be held simultaneously in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They affirmed basic terms for such reunification and their continued support for efforts to achieve it, so as to reunite Gaza and the West Bank within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority. The Quartet noted that position when it met on Monday, reaffirming its well-known principles and stressing that restoring Palestinian unity, based on the commitments of the PLO, would be an important step forward. Security Council resolution 1850 (2008) did likewise. I urge Hamas to respond positively to those exhortations.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“I have detailed the security, humanitarian and development dimensions of the Gaza crisis, but it is also a deep political crisis, threatening the unified basis on which a future Palestinian State, and the two-State solution itself, must rest. Last Sunday, on the occasion of the twenty-first anniversary of Hamas, Hamas leader Haniyeh challenged the continuation in office of President Abbas pending a resolution of the internal divide. While calling for Palestinian reunification, he did so on a basis that rejected agreements signed and commitments undertaken by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). President Abbas has publicly raised the possibility of calling elections if reconciliation is not achieved.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“We continue to seek more effective communication and cooperation with the Government of Israel to ensure that the United Nations is able to execute its mandated programmes to the civilian population. We also reiterate the call of the Quartet for the immediate release of Corporal Shalit. No progress has been reported on efforts to secure his release in exchange for Palestinian prisoner releases, and the International Committee of the Red Cross has not been granted access to him during his 28 months in captivity. No Muslim pilgrims from Gaza were able to attend the hajj in Mecca prior to the Bid al-Adha holiday this year as a result of internal Palestinian divisions. The Palestinian Authority secured visas for some 3,000 pilgrims, but Hamas denied their exit through Rafah crossing.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“Half of Gaza City's population receives water only once a week for a few 3 hours, and other areas of Gaza receive water for a few hours on alternating days. United Nations projects worth over $150 million, including six priority projects identified by the Secretary-General in May, remain suspended due to a lack of materials. The Secretary-General outlined his concerns on conditions in Gaza in a letter delivered to his Quartet colleagues last week. We welcome the call of the Quartet for the provision of humanitarian supplies - including food, fuel, pharmaceuticals, water and sewage maintenance items - to the people in Gaza to be assured continuously. The Quartet also reiterated its previous call for Israel to allow into Gaza sufficient materials to facilitate the resumption of stalled United Nations and other donor projects.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“There are also reported shortages of some food items, as well as cooking gas. Limitations on cash allowed into Gaza have left beneficiaries of humanitarian organizations, Palestinian Authority employees and pensioners unable to collect salaries, pensions and welfare payments, and forced UNRWA to suspend cash assistance to 94,000 beneficiaries. A one-time transfer of 100 million new Israeli shekels has alleviated this crisis for now, but as stressed in a recent letter from Quartet Representative Blair and the Presidents of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, a predictable mechanism for the transfer of cash is required. Reductions in the import of fuel have resulted in regular power outages across Gaza.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“During the reporting period, access has been restricted for goods coming into the Strip, as well as for diplomats, United Nations staff and humanitarian workers and international press. Between 23 November and 17 December, 614 truckloads of supplies entered Gaza- a daily average of 29. The daily average in October was 123, and in May last year it was 475. Small amounts of supplies have been brought into Gaza by sea. The unprecedented level of closure of crossing points into Gaza has caused unacceptable hardship to the civilian population. As of today, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has had again to suspend, for the time being, all food distributions. Price increases have resulted in Gazans now spending approximately two thirds of their income on food.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“There have been heightened rhetoric and continued violence in recent days, with an increase in rocket-firing and a resumption of Israeli air strikes. I am extremely concerned by statements from Hamas that the calm expires today and questioning its renewal. A major escalation of violence would have grave consequences for the protection of civilians in Israel and Gaza, the welfare of the Gazan civilian population, and the sustainability of political efforts. On behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, I make today a direct and urgent appeal for the calm to be respected and extended. I also strongly appeal for basic humanitarian principles to be continuously observed.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“Pascoe briefed the Council on 25 November, a further four Palestinians, including two children, have been killed in Gaza and 18 others have been injured. Eight Israeli soldiers and four civilians have been injured by rocket and mortar attacks, more than 130 of which, including 30 in the past two days, were fired from Gaza towards Israeli towns and at the crossings through which civilians, United Nations and other humanitarian workers and all goods entering the Strip must pass. We condemn rocket attacks and call for their immediate cessation. 08-65913 Egyptian efforts to secure the preservation and extension of the calm are continuing. Through ongoing contacts in Cairo, Israel and Gaza, we are strongly supporting these efforts.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“It is critically important to pursue specific action items to continue improving conditions on the ground in the West Bank. We must protect, preserve and, where possible, advance the three tracks of the Annapolis process - negotiations, institution-building and phase 1 Road Map implementation - and set the stage for a decisive push for peace in 2009. Let me turn first to the situation in and around Gaza. Six months ago today, a tahdiya, or calm, brokered by Egypt came into effect. After a period in which civilian casualties had reached alarming proportions, Palestinians and Israelis enjoyed a respite from daily terror and violence, and many civilian lives were doubtless saved. But for the past six weeks, this calm has been gravely challenged. Since Mr.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“Preparations for the Israeli general election scheduled for 10 February 2009 have continued, with many political parties holding primaries. A new United States administration takes office on 20 January. There are also internal challenges on the Palestinian side. We are therefore in a period of transition. The immediate priority is to sustain the process during transition by building a solid bridge to carry us through the fragile period ahead. In this regard, a priority must be to ensure calm in and around Gaza and to urgently improve humanitarian conditions. The decision of the Arab League to ensure no vacuum on the Palestinian side, support the legitimate Palestinian Government and pursue Palestinian unity demands support.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“Mr. Serry: I am honoured to brief the Council two days after the adoption of resolution 1850 (2008). The Secretary-General welcomes this timely and important resolution, which embodies the principles on which Israeli-Palestinian peace must rest. The resolution came a day after the Quartet affirmed the need to intensify the political process and address acute challenges on the ground. The Secretary-General also chaired a meeting of the Quartet with members and 08-65913 representatives of the League of Arab States in a framework of collaboration that is essential to the search for peace in the region. The international community has sent a clear and united message of its commitment to the irreversibility of the process leading to the creation of a Palestinian State living in peace alongside a secure Israel.”
2008-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6049 (2008) · source
“The Secretary-General will continue to work to secure the implementation of international law and Security Council resolutions in order to achieve the vision of two States living side by side in peace and security, and a just and lasting comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“The Secretary-General will be doing all he can to ensure that those meetings consolidate the gains made and address areas where more must be done - in terms of the Israeli- Palestinian negotiations themselves, efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation, the all-important situation on the ground in both the West Bank and Gaza and the broader regional picture. We must continue to strive for agreement on all core issues in accordance with the agreed time frame of Annapolis. Based on that framework and on the decisions taken at the last Quartet meeting, in May, the Quartet will discuss the way ahead and next steps in international support for the process when it meets next week.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Coordinated activities between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL continue in the area of operations. President Abbas Visited Lebanon on 28 and 29 August for the first time since 2005. President Abbas met President Sleiman, Prime Minister Siniora and members of all Lebanese factions and religious leaders, in a positive and important step forward in Palestinian-Lebanese relations. Looking ahead, in the coming days, a number of important meetings hosted by the Secretary-General will take place to review the peace process and chart the way ahead: the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee will meet next Monday and the Quartet will meet on 26 September; Quartet members will also attend an iftar with Arab partners.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“On 6 September, south of the Blue Line, the Israel Defense Forces apprehended a Lebanese civilian carrying a pistol who had been involved in a drug smuggling operation. South of the technical fence, Israeli police also apprehended three Israeli citizens involved in the same operation. Israel's air violations continued on a daily basis throughout the reporting period. In the first days of September, the Lebanese Armed Forces undertook a temporary redeployment of troops from southern Lebanon in order to address security concerns in and around the northern city of 08-50997 Tripoli. Having informed UNIFIL in advance, the Lebanese Armed Forces redeployed one light infantry brigade to the north of the country. Meanwhile, the majority of troops who had been redeployed north previously were returned south.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Hizbullah admitted responsibility for the incident and surrendered one of its members to judicial authorities. The military prosecutor has opened an investigation into the incident. On 10 September, Saleh Aridi, a member of the Lebanese Democratic Party, was killed by an explosion that tore through his car. The Secretary-General and the Security Council condemned the attack. On 16 September, there were clashes in the Bekaa Valley and renewed fighting in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Helweh. The day before, several explosions occurred in several areas of Beirut; fortunately, there were no casualties. On 17 September, two people were killed in Bsarma, northern Lebanon, when rival Christian groups clashed. The situation in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has remained generally quiet.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“We welcome that process and encourage all parties to approach the dialogue in a spirit of cooperation, and to exert every effort towards a positive outcome. On 8 September, in the presence of Prime Minister Siniora, representatives of the Sunni and Alawite communities in the northern city of Tripoli signed a reconciliation agreement aimed at halting armed clashes in the city, which have claimed the lives of 23 people since May. On 29 August, the Government appointed Brigadier-General Jean Qahwaji as Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The United Nations looks forward to working closely with him. Despite those positive developments, the security situation remained precarious. On 28 August, Army First Lieutenant Samer Hanna was killed when his helicopter was fired upon over Sojoud Hills in south Lebanon.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“We note with interest the four-way summit held in Damascus on 4 September among Syria, France, Turkey and Qatar in support of the political process. While no further rounds of indirect talks have been held in the reporting period, we hope that these will be resumed as soon as possible. The situation in the occupied Syrian Golan remained quiet during the reporting period, although Israeli settlement activity is ongoing. Let me now turn to developments in Lebanon, where both efforts to establish dialogue and security incidents continue to occur. President Sleiman chaired the first session of the national dialogue on 16 September to discuss a national defence strategy. The next session is scheduled for 5 November.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“In that context, Egypt has started a consultation process with each of the Palestinian factions to formulate a proposal that could serve as a common national platform, and Egypt's efforts were strongly supported at the Foreign Ministers' meeting held in Cairo by the League of Arab States on 9 September. The United Nations strongly welcomes and supports that important initiative. We also continue to support Egypt's efforts to secure the release of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit, now in his twenty-fifth month of captivity, and a number of Palestinian prisoners, on which no progress has been reported. The United Nations continues to support efforts under way to further negotiations between Israel and Syria.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Palestinian interfactional Violence during the reporting period resulted in the death of 14 people, including two children, and the injury of another 52. Most of the casualties occurred on 15 and 16 September in Gaza City during armed clashes between security forces and militants affiliated with the Hamas authorities and members of one armed clan, after a member of the clan was held responsible for the killing of a Hamas policeman. It is clear that the only way to begin addressing the overall crisis, and indeed to lay the basis for a two-State solution, is for Gaza to be peacefully reunited with the West Bank within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority and in a manner which allows the peace process to advance.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Following Hamas decisions to replace head and deputy head teachers with Hamas-affiliated staff and to reallocate thousands of teachers to new schools, a teachers' strike has led to major disruptions in the education sector since the start of the new academic year on 24 August. On 30 August, health workers joined the strike after the dismissal of a number of employees in that sector, forcing hospitals to postpone elective surgery and many health centres to close or suspend services. There are reports of Hamas marching doctors to their hospitals at gunpoint to ensure continuity of critical services. Despite the active efforts of my office to resolve this crisis for the welfare of the population, Hamas' unwillingness so far to restore the status quo ante is blocking a resolution.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Other vital commodities, such as spare parts needed for the maintenance of the public health and water infrastructure sectors, raw industrial materials, furniture, electronics and school uniforms, have been allowed into Gaza in very limited quantities. The shortage of raw materials, combined with the total ban on exports, has kept more than 95 per cent of Gaza's local industry closed. We continue to support all efforts to bring about the controlled opening of the crossings through the presence of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas' actions are compounding the problems facing Gazans, increasingly divorcing Palestinian institutions from the Palestinian Authority itself and interrupting basic service delivery.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“During the reporting period, imports decreased by 21 per cent compared with the previous four weeks. Whilst the amount of truckloads carrying cement almost doubled, it still represents a small percentage of market demand. The import of all types of fuel remains below previous levels, particularly for diesel and petrol, which disrupts the provision of basic services, such as electricity and water. United Nations priority projects in Gaza - a subject which the Secretary-General has raised with Prime Minister Olmert - remain stalled as a result of the shortage of materials, in particular cement, in the Strip.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“The ceasefire has continued to hold during the reporting period. Hamas has made efforts to prevent the launching of rockets and mortars into Israel and, during the reporting period, two rockets and one mortar were launched. No IDF incursion or air strike was 3 reported during this period; the IDF has responded to isolated rocket fire by closing crossings for a period. One Palestinian was injured by IDF fire in southern Gaza. On all other fronts, there is little positive to report. The humanitarian situation is extremely grim, given continued closure. The Rafah crossing was open for two days at the end of August, and patients and businessmen with permits are allowed through Erez crossing. Otherwise, movement into and out of the Strip remains largely restricted.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem remain closed by Israeli order, contrary to the road map. Barrier construction continued around East Jerusalem and within the West Bank, in deviation from the Green Line and contrary to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. The Secretary-General is also closely monitoring developments concerning the site of the Mughrabi Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem and encourages all parties to cooperate in the ongoing process, under the auspices of UNESCO, and to refrain from any unilateral measures. I now turn to the situation in Gaza, where the United Nations continues its efforts to address the complex humanitarian, human rights, political and security factors underlying the ongoing crisis. The one area where there is positive news is security.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Construction is ongoing in the majority of approximately 120 settlements on both sides of the barrier. A further tender was announced on 7 September for 32 more units in Betar Illit in the Gush Etzion bloc adjacent to Bethlehem. Today, Israeli security forces reportedly evacuated settlers from the settlement outpost of Yad Ya'ir in the West Bank. The Secretary-General has repeatedly stated that all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, is contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention and Israel's commitments under the road map and the Annapolis process. His repeated calls, and those of the Quartet as a whole, have not brought about significant action. Rectifying that unacceptable situation should be the urgent priority of any new Israeli Government.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Her mother, who was in premature labour, had been kept waiting for over an hour by IDF soldiers whilst trying to reach a hospital in Nablus. Settler Violence intensified this month, with a gang of armed Israeli settlers from the settlement of Yitzhar attacking a Palestinian Village on 13 September, firing at residents and destroying and 08-50997 vandalizing property and agricultural land. We note the Israeli Government's condemnation of that lawless violence, which cannot be justified by the earlier attack in the settlement by a Palestinian man, which left an Israeli child injured. However, credible action to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice has been lacking and is essential. Settlement activity continues to take place across the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dismantled a manned checkpoint in the central West Bank, thereby allowing over 40,000 Palestinians living in an enclave surrounded by the Barrier to travel to and from Ramallah without delay. However, over 600 obstacles to movement remain across the West Bank, together with a weekly average of 65 random so-called flying checkpoints. The action taken to ease closure to date is not enough to enable the Palestinian Authority's security and economic efforts. On his recent visit to the region, Quartet representative Blair highlighted the need for checkpoints to work effectively, ahead of their eventual removal, and it is clear that insufficient progress had been made in that regard. In an illustration of the problems that persist at checkpoints, a baby was stillborn at a checkpoint on 4 September.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“A reflection of improved security is that the casualty rate from Violent clashes this past month is one of the lowest in recent years. There were, however, several clashes, leaving two Palestinians, including one child, dead and 128 Palestinians injured, 84 of them children, in addition to 11 Israelis injured during the reporting period, including one child. Thirty per cent of the Palestinian injuries occurred from tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets fired during anti-barrier protests in Ni'lin and Bil'in villages. I am pleased to note that the Government of Israel released 198 Palestinian prisoners on 25 August as a goodwill gesture to President Abbas prior to the start of Ramadan.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Those efforts will be highlighted when the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meets on 22 September here in New York. Significant hurdles remain, however. Reports by the 08-50997 World Bank and the International Monetary Fund describe a stagnant economic climate as a result of continued restrictions on movement and access. The Palestinian Authority also faces a looming liquidity crisis, with neither enough funds nor enough borrowing capacity to pay salaries unless additional budget support is secured in October. Despite recent transfers of donor funds, the previously reported fiscal gap of about $400 million for the last quarter of 2008 persists. We therefore urge donors that have yet to fulfil their pledges to do so urgently.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“During the reporting period, for example, Palestinian Authority police raids near Hebron led to the arrest of 55 Palestinians on charges of drug and weapon's smuggling, and Prime Minister Fayyad has informed me that further improving the security conditions in Hebron is a high priority for his Government. Donors are demonstrating their support for the Authority's efforts: this month, a joint agreement was concluded between Germany and the Palestinian Authority to establish 55 new police stations in the West Bank. In pursuing its reform and development plan, the Palestinian Authority has also made notable gains in other areas, including public finance and the initiation of microfinance projects. Budget and planning procedures are being further integrated.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“They reflect a determination to build the institutions of a future Palestinian State despite the unresolved conflict. The Palestinian Authority continues to make real strides in the implementation of its security plan. This includes action against militants in accordance with obligations under phase I of the Road Map. For example, I visited Nablus at the end of August and saw how stability and a degree of normality have returned to the city. Several militant groups have disbanded, and armed men have left the streets. Smuggling has been severely curtailed. Law and order has returned, and with it the beginnings of a resurgence of economic life. That pattern is also apparent in many other cities and towns that the Palestinian Authority administers in the West Bank.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“However, it also appears that there have been substantive discussions, whose potential must be built upon through a continuation of intensive negotiations. Yesterday, members of the Kadima party elected as their new leader current Foreign Minister Livni, who has announced her intention to form a new Israeli Government. We look to an urgent continuation of the negotiations and for all parties to honour their Annapolis and Road Map commitments. Notwithstanding the prevailing uncertainties surrounding the political process, the largely unsung success story is the gradual but systematic process of Palestinian self-empowerment that has taken place in the West Bank under the leadership of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. Those Palestinian efforts are incomplete and imperfect, and they face many obstacles, but they are real.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“Mr. Serry: Ten months after negotiations were re-launched at Annapolis, and with just over three months left until the end of the year, the Middle East peace process stands at a crossroads. While there are some positive developments, there are also several factors that cause concern. The important period ahead must see decisive advances towards peace. Bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization have continued. Israeli Foreign Minister Livni and Palestinian Chief Negotiator Qureia met in the presence of Secretary of State Rice on 26 August. President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert met on 31 August and again on 16 September, in advance of Prime Minister Olmert's anticipated departure from office. It appears so far that no agreement has been reached on the core issues.”
2008-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5974 (2008) · source
“We encourage regional partners to continue and intensify their support of the bilateral process and express our strong support for the Arab Peace Initiative in that context. 6 Thirdly, we commend the leading role regional players are taking to find political solutions on several fronts. This is a positive development, offering potential on which we hope it is possible to build. The Secretary-General remains committed to the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions and to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”
2008-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5899 (2008) · source