{"id":4684,"date":"2022-09-28T17:20:09","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T17:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/israel-palestine-meaningful-initiatives-needed-soon-to-reverse-to-reverse-current-course\/"},"modified":"2022-09-28T17:20:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T17:20:09","slug":"israel-palestine-meaningful-initiatives-needed-soon-to-reverse-to-reverse-current-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=4684","title":{"rendered":"Israel-Palestine: \u2018Meaningful initiatives\u2019 needed soon, to reverse to reverse current course |"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Tor Wennesland updated ambassadors on a litany of violations, including \u201cmounting pressure\u201d on Palestinians to leave their homes, and plans for new construction outposts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe absence of a meaningful peace process to end the Israeli occupation and resolve the conflict is fueling a dangerous deterioration across the OPT [Occupied Palestinian Territory], particularly in the West Bank, and driving the perception that the conflict in unresolvable\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
\n

\ud83d\udcfd\ufe0fUN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process @TWennesland<\/a> briefed the Security Council on deteriorating security situation, high levels of settler-related violence against Palestinians in West Bank & that #children<\/a> continue to be killed & injured in large numbers. pic.twitter.com\/kMOqawX4bl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 UN Palestinian Rights Committee (@UNISPAL) September 28, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018Perpetual state of violence\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The UN envoy reminded that resolution 2334 called for \u201cimmediate steps to prevent all violence against civilians,\u201d before listing a wide range of attacks carried out between June and September in the West Bank and Gaza, the vast majority of which left Palestinians dead or injured.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am particularly appalled that children continue to be killed and injured in large numbers,\u201d he stated. \u201cChildren must never be the target of violence or put in harm\u2019s way\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said Israel should only use lethal force when \u201cstrictly unavoidable to protect life\u201d, must thoroughly investigate all resulting deaths or injuries, and \u201chold those responsible, accountable\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cNegotiations can no longer be pushed off indefinitely\u201d, Mr. Wennesland continued, observing that the current course is heading towards \u201ca perpetual state of violence and conflict\u201d.<\/p>\n

Reversing \u2018negative trends\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As resolution 2334 also calls for immediate steps to \u201creverse negative trends\u2026imperiling the two-State solution\u201d, he described some positive developments, such as on 7 July when President Abbas and Defense Minister Gantz met in Ramallah, and the following day when Israeli President Herzog and Prime Minister Lapid, spoke to President Abbas by phone.<\/p>\n

And during his July visit to Israel and the OPT, US President Biden announced a $100 million contribution to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network; $201 million for UN Palestine refugee relief agency, UNRWA, and $15 million to address food insecurity.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Israel issued some 16,000 worker and other business permits for Palestinians in Gaza and extended social entitlements under Israeli labour laws, to workers entering from the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n

Chief concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The UN envoy informed the 15 Council members of the Secretary-General\u2019s concerns over continued settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n

He highlighted the Supreme Court\u2019s Mitzpeh Kramim decision that could set a legal precedent for additional outposts, and demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned property.<\/p>\n

He also noted civilian casualties from the latest escalation in Gaza; indiscriminate rocket launches there by Palestinian militants; and the deteriorating security situation in the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n

He also relayed the UN chief\u2019s apprehension that \u201cthe current negative trajectory\u201d puts at great risk the socioeconomic and institution-building that has prepared the Palestinian Authority for eventual statehood.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the Secretary-General welcomed the Special Representative\u2019s 22 September report on a comprehensive package of \u201cincremental, durable, and meaningful steps\u201d that the parties and their partners should take, to address the current situation, strengthen the Palestinian Authority, and advance the goal of a sustainable peace.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \n
\n
\n <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n

UN Photo\/Ariana Lindquist<\/span><\/p>\n

Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefs the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018Meaningful initiatives\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In closing, Mr. Wennesland stressed the need for \u201cmeaningful initiatives\u201d to reverse the current trajectory, adding, \u201cthey are needed quickly\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said that \u201cIsraelis and Palestinians must determine how they envision the future\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnding the occupation and realizing a two-State solution must drive our collective efforts\u201d, he concluded, vowing to remain \u201cactively engaged in advancing these objectives with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and with key international and regional partners\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n