The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, warned Wednesday against pouring more fuel on the fire in the ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis.
“As a new year begins, a dangerous cycle of violence persists on the ground, amidst increased political tension and a stalled peace process,” Wennesland said in his briefing to the Security Council on the “Situation in the Middle East” including the Palestinian cause.
He stressed that the “violence must stop.”
“At the same time, we must not lose sight of the ultimate goal: to end the occupation, resolve the conflict and realize a two-State solution.”
Wennesland reiterated “the United Nations commitment to supporting Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a sustainable peace.”
“In total, between 8 December and 13 January, 14 Palestinians, including five children, were killed and 117 Palestinians, including three women and 18 children, were injured by Israeli security forces.”
“Israeli settlers or other civilians perpetrated 63 attacks against Palestinians resulting in 28 injuries, including six children.”
According to Israeli sources, five Israeli civilians, including three women, and four Israeli security forces personnel were injured as well.
The UN official noted that “on 2 January, the Israeli Government informed the High Court of Justice that it intends to legalize – under Israeli law – the outpost of Homesh by repealing part of the 2005 Disengagement Law.”
He stressed that the outpost was “built on private Palestinian land”.
“I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace.”
“Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned property remain a serious concern. During the reporting period, Israeli authorities demolished, seized, or forced owners to demolish 126 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C and seven in occupied East Jerusalem, displacing 127 Palestinians, including 60 children. The demolitions were carried out due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain,” he stressed.
“Israeli settlers accompanied by Israeli security forces forcibly took control of a parcel of agricultural land that a Palestinian family has leased from the Greek Orthodox Church since 1931 in the Silwan area of occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli forces arrested at least five Palestinians protesting the takeover. The settlers maintain that they purchased the land from the Greek Orthodox Church, a deal the church rejected as fraudulent.”
The UN official further spoke about the “despicable act” of desecrating some 30 gravestones at the Protestant Cemetery on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.
He reiterated “the Secretary-General’s call for all parties to refrain from steps that could escalate tensions in and around the Holy Sites, and for all to uphold the status quo, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
Wennesland added that on 30 December 2022, “the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem” containing a request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an advisory opinion relating to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.
He also touched on the series of measures that were later taken by the Israeli government against the Palestinian Authority, including the transfer of some $39 million in withheld tax revenues that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
“I am seriously concerned about the impact of such measures on the PA’s financial situation.”
“At the end, today Israelis and Palestinians remain on a collision course amid escalating political and inflammatory rhetoric as well as heightened violence”, he said, warning against “grave consequences”.
“Courageous political leadership is urgently required to generate the momentum necessary to transform the current dynamic. It is imperative that both sides refrain from provocations and unilateral steps – including at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.”
He renewed calls for “immediate concrete steps toward reversing negative trends on the ground, strengthening the Palestinian Authority, and improving access and movement for Palestinians while ensuring the necessary space for Palestinian economic activity.”
“Absent a collective effort by all, with strong support from the international community, spoilers and extremists will continue to pour more fuel on the fire.”
“The United Nations remains committed to supporting an end to the occupation and establishing a two-State solution, with an independent and sovereign Palestinian State based on the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States in line with UN resolutions, international law, and bilateral agreements," he concluded.
