Two-State Solution Increasingly Unattainable as Israel Continues Settlement Activity at High Rate, Special Coordinator Tells Security Council
UN PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 25/ 17 (link source)
Israel had moved forward with illegal settlement activity at a high rate since late June further dashing hopes for a two-State solution, the United Nations top envoy for the Middle East peace process told the Security Council today.
“Continuing settlement expansion, most notably during this period in occupied East Jerusalem, is making the two-State solution increasingly unattainable and undermining Palestinian belief in international peace efforts,” Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov told Council members. Violence against civilians and incitement had also perpetuated mutual fear and suspicion, impeding efforts to bridge gaps between the two sides.
Over the last three months, Israel had not stopped settlement activities, as called for by Council resolution 2334 (2016), he said. In occupied East Jerusalem, plans were advanced for more than 2,300 housing units in July, 30 per cent more than for the whole of 2016.
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the destruction of Palestinian-owned property across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continued; albeit at a significantly lower rate, he said. Since the beginning of 2017, 344 structures had been demolished, a third of them in East Jerusalem, displacing more than 500 people. In Area C of the occupied West Bank, three educational facilities serving 175 children were demolished or confiscated due to the lack of building permits, which were virtually impossible for Palestinians to obtain.
Violence persisted as one of the main obstacles to resolving the conflict, he underscored, adding that, although the reporting period had been characterized by relatively low levels of fatalities, several incidents had occurred. Nineteen Palestinians had been killed in attacks, clashes and Israeli military operations. Further, eight Israelis had been killed in clashes and attacks, including three Israeli-Arab perpetrators of the 14 July attacks against two Israeli policemen in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response to the events at the Holy Esplanade, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a freeze of all contacts with Israel on all levels, including security coordination.
After three months of quiet, on three separate occasions, Palestinian militants fired rockets towards Israel with no injuries reported, he said. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces conducted five airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in three Palestinians being injured. Settler-related violence also continued, with 25 such incidents taking place, the majority which involved Palestinian agricultural property around Nablus being vandalized and assaults against Palestinians in or around Hebron. Punitive demolitions also persisted, while the space for civil society and freedom of expression continued to shrink.
He recalled that resolution 2334 (2016) called upon both parties to refrain from acts of provocation, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric, and to condemn all acts of terrorism. At the height of the July crisis around the holy sites in Jerusalem, officials and representatives on all sides employed provocative rhetoric. In the midst of largely peaceful protests, Hamas and senior Palestinian Authority officials called for an escalation and a “day of rage” across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, while Hamas and others continued to glorify terror attacks. President Abbas explicitly condemned the 14 July attack, and some Palestinian leaders and religious authorities on both sides called on protestors to avoid violence and provocation.
Israeli officials continued to use provocative rhetoric in support of settlement expansion, he said. Other senior Israeli politicians made repeated calls for annexation of the West Bank, with one member of the Knesset expressing his desire to “destroy” hopes for Palestinian statehood.
The situation remained extremely fragile in Gaza, he emphasized, adding that the chronic energy deficit had been substantially worsened by the Palestinian Authority’s decision to reduce the electricity supply to the Strip. As a result, electricity service was down to about four hours a day. Some 190 health, water and sanitation facilities continued to rely on back-up generators. On 17 September, Hamas officially accepted the Palestinian Authority’s demands for Hamas to dissolve the Administrative Committee it established in March and allow the Government of National Consensus to take up its responsibilities in Gaza. However, it remained unclear whether the agreement would be implemented and electricity supply restored to Gaza.
On the political front, the envoys of the Middle East Quartet continued to meet to discuss current efforts to advance peace, as well as the deteriorating situation in Gaza, he said. In August, a United States’ delegation travelled to the Middle East and met with regional interlocutors with a focus on reviving the peace process, with all parties agreeing to continue working towards a sustainable peace and promote security and stability across the region. On 27 August, the Secretary-General arrived in the region for his first official visit, during which time he strongly reaffirmed the United Nations position that there was no alternative to the two-State solution. Earlier this month, Egypt hosted delegations from Hamas and Fatah in an effort to advance Palestinian unity.
The Jenin agreement was an important first step towards a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian power purchasing agreement that would lead to greater Palestinian energy autonomy, he said. While all initiatives to improve the Palestinian economy were welcome, much more needed to be done to support the political process aimed at establishing Palestinian statehood. Economic development was no substitute for sovereignty and statehood. Intra-Palestinian reconciliation remained critical to preventing the continuing militant build-up and restoring hope for the future. In that context, he welcomed Hamas’s recent announcement on the dissolution of its Administrative Committee in Gaza and the agreement to allow the Government of National Consensus to assume its responsibilities.
He went on to emphasize that collective and determined action by the parties, the region and the international community was needed to initiate a serious political process that would realize a two-State solution, ending the occupation and resolving all final status issues.
Speaking after the briefing, Luis Bermúdez (Uruguay), requesting that all relevant reports be distributed in writing prior to Council meetings, expressed concern that, nine months after the adoption of resolution 2334 (2016), no progress had been made in its implementation. Israel’s continued expansion of illegal settlements remained an immense impediment to peace efforts, he said, noting how multiple schools in the occupied territories had been demolished by Israel. The dramatic and alarming humanitarian situation of the 2 million people living in Gaza remained a serious threat to peace and further carried with it the risk of triggering another conflict.
A legitimate government in Gaza was essential to bringing humanitarian relief there, he added, urging Hamas to renounce all violence and abandon rhetoric of hatred. That was essential to humanizing the other side in the conflict. There were no alternatives to the two-State solution, he stressed, adding that it was time to reinvigorate political measures to return all parties to the negotiating table. Israeli and Palestinian authorities must make every effort to avoid provocative measures that had the potential to increase tensions.
Pedro Luis Inchauste Jordán (Bolivia) said that engaging in sincere dialogue was the only way to guarantee a lasting and fair peace in the Middle East. The international community must continue to pressure Israel to halt its settlement activities. Israel continued to reject the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and refused to recognize that its settlements were a clear breach of international law, he noted. The humanitarian situation continued to unravel due largely to the electrical outage and shortage of fuel in Gaza. Palestinians must be able to live in humane conditions, he stressed, urging Israel to end its illegal blockade of Gaza. He also requested that the trimester Middle East report be distributed in writing prior to meetings. All resolutions must be implemented with the same amount of vigour and urgency as was required of them, he added, stressing that Palestinians had a right to an independent State.
Kairat Umarov (Kazakhstan) said that it was important to consider that the two-States-for-two-people option had been accepted by both sides. He called on both parties to refrain from any action that would put that solution into jeopardy. Palestinians had an inalienable right to statehood and Israel had a right to security. He called on the Middle East Quartet to reinvigorate talks and urged all political parties on each side to integrate into one political track. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continued to fuel conflict and tensions, he added.
RELATED stories
UN NEWS CENTER: UN envoy condemns killing of Israeli security personnel by Palestinian in West Bank
26 September 2017 – The United Nations envoy for the Israel-Palestine peace efforts has condemned today's fatal shooting attack by a Palestinian perpetrator against Israeli security personnel in the West Bank, deploring that such an incident undermines the prospect of a peaceful future for both sides.
Ongoing settlement activities undermining Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, warns UN envoy
25 September 2017 – Continuing settlement expansion, most notably in occupied East Jerusalem, is making the two-State solution increasingly unattainable and undermining Palestinian belief in the international peace efforts, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.
Palestinian leader, at General Assembly, calls on ‘duty-bound’ UN to end Israeli occupation
20 September 2017 – From the podium of the United Nations General Assembly Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today called on the world Organization to face up to its responsibilities to end Israel’s “relentless” occupation ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
In other world news...
From the US MISSION TO THE UN: Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Afghanistan
Special Representative Yamamoto, thank you for your briefing. We thank the Secretary-General for his report on the Strategic Review of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. And it’s good to have you with us this afternoon, Foreign Minister Rabbani.
It has been sixteen years since the United States and the international community took action in Afghanistan. Despite all our efforts, the human cost of the conflict remains staggering. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan documented over 5,200 civilian casualties in just the first half of this year. Over 1,600 of these were fatalities. And tragically, 30 percent of these deaths were children.
After so many years and so much American blood and treasure spent, it is useful to recite these statistics. But however war-weary we are, it is the Afghan people, of course, who pay the highest price for the conflict there. Anti-government forces are responsible for the large majority of civilian casualties. Their actions are too often indiscriminate and disproportionate. They keep old grievances fresh and create new ones with each passing day. We are – and we should be – impatient with this war.
https://usun.state.gov/remarks/7990
RELATED NEWS STORY FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER
Parties to Afghan conflict show renewed interest in political engagement, UN envoy says
25 September 2017 – Although efforts over the past few years to reach a political solution to the Afghan conflict have led to little progress, the top United Nations envoy in the country today reported a renewed interest in political engagements for peace.
UN must update itself to face 21st century challenges, Afghan leader tells General Assembly
19 September 2017 – The United Nations and its agencies must reinvent themselves to tackle the challenges of the 21st century, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani told the UN General Assembly on the opening day of its annual general debate today.
US STATE DEPT: Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government's Referendum
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 25/ 17 (link source)
The United States is deeply disappointed that the Kurdistan Regional Government decided to conduct today a unilateral referendum on independence, including in areas outside of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The United States' historic relationship with the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region will not change in light of today's non-binding referendum, but we believe this step will increase instability and hardships for the Kurdistan region and its people.
The unilateral referendum will greatly complicate the Kurdistan Regional Government's relationship with both the Government of Iraq and neighboring states. The fight against ISIS is not over, and extremist groups are seeking to exploit instability and discord. We believe all sides should engage constructively in a dialogue to improve the future of all Iraqis. The United States opposes violence and unilateral moves by any party to alter boundaries.
The United States supports a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq and will continue to seek opportunities to assist Iraqis to fulfill their aspirations within the framework of the constitution.
US DEFENSE DEPT: Mattis Travels to India to Emphasize 'Enduring U.S. Commitment'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is traveling to India to underscore the enduring U.S. commitment to its strategic partner, Defense Department officials said.
The four-day trip marks the first time a cabinet member from the current administration has visited India, where Mattis will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly appointed Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The secretary also will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the India Gate to recognize the valor and the heroism of 82,000 Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II in the fight against militarism.
En route to India, Mattis told reporters traveling with him that the United States and India are two great democracies with shared common goals that make them natural partners.
DoD: U.S. Seeks Only Peaceful Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2017 — Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers from Guam and Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter escorts from Okinawa, Japan, flew in international airspace over the waters east of North Korea, Sept. 23, Defense Department spokesman Army Col. Rob Manning said today.
Military Strikes Target ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 26, 2017 — U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 40 strikes consisting of 52 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS; From Reuters
East Libyan government issues retaliatory entry ban against U.S. citizens
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - A government based in eastern Libya said on Wednesday it would bar entry to U.S. citizens after President Donald Trump’s administration included Libya in a new travel ban.
Trump: military option for North Korea not preferred, but would be 'devastating'
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump warned North Korea on Tuesday that any U.S. military option would be “devastating” for Pyongyang, but said the use of force was not Washington’s first option to deal with the country’s ballistic and nuclear weapons program.
Merkel welcomes 'a lot of material' from Macron for EU reform debate
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech on European Union reform, which contained “a lot of material” for necessary debate on the issue, her spokesman said.
NATION
Trump's plan calls for slashing taxes on businesses, the wealthy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday proposed the biggest tax overhaul in three decades - a plan that would slash rates on businesses and the wealthy - but it faces an uphill battle in Congress with his own party divided and Democrats hostile.
Trump praises disaster relief in Puerto Rico, discounting complaints
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump praised his administration on Tuesday for “doing a really good job” with disaster relief for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, discounting complaints that aid has been slow to reach the U.S. island territory.
Despite latest failure, Trump says Obamacare will be repealed
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday lawmakers eventually would pass healthcare legislation, despite the Senate’s latest failure to gather enough Republicans to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Daily Bible Verse: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Free bible studies (WBS)
Learn english using the bible as text (WEI)
