{"id":214549,"date":"2019-03-26T11:09:59","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T15:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=214549"},"modified":"2020-07-22T00:45:29","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T04:45:29","slug":"special-coordinator-mladenov-warns-security-council-of-potential-catastrophe-as-renewed-violence-flares-in-gaza-strip-press-release-sc-13745","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/special-coordinator-mladenov-warns-security-council-of-potential-catastrophe-as-renewed-violence-flares-in-gaza-strip-press-release-sc-13745\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Coordinator Mladenov Warns Security Council of Potential Catastrophe as Renewed Violence Flares in Gaza Strip \u2013 Press Release (SC\/13745)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8489TH MEETING (AM)<\/strong>
\nSC\/13745<\/strong>
\n26 MARCH 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

video<\/a><\/p>\n

fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/p>\n

Members Urge Israel to Stop Building Settlements on Palestinian Land, as Permanent Members Oppose Golan Decision by United States<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned the Security Council today about the danger of renewed violence in the Gaza Strip, \u201cwith potentially catastrophic consequences\u201d, in the aftermath of rocket and mortar attacks from the Palestinian enclave and Israel\u2019s robust military response.<\/p>\n

A new conflict will be devastating for the Palestinian people, with consequences for Israelis living near the Gaza perimeter, and regional repercussions are likely as well, Nickolay Mladenov emphasized.\u00a0 A fragile calm seems to have taken hold in Gaza since Monday\u2019s incidents, he noted, while stressing that nobody has an interest in a full\u2011scale military confrontation in the enclave.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am concerned that we may once again be facing another dangerous escalation of violence in Gaza with potentially catastrophic consequences,\u201d he cautioned, pointing out that the last two\u00a0days have shown how close is the brink of war.\u00a0 He called for a halt to the launching of rockets, mortars and other incendiary devices into Israel, while underlining the responsibility of that country\u2019s security forces to exercise restraint in responding.<\/p>\n

He went on to strongly condemn a wave of arrests and violence by Hamas security forces earlier this month against Palestinian civilians protesting the dire socioeconomic circumstances in Gaza.\u00a0 The brutal beating of journalists and human rights workers, as well as the raiding of homes, is particularly alarming, he added.<\/p>\n

Briefing members on the implementation of Security Council resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) \u2014 which notably calls upon Israel to cease its settlement\u2011construction activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem \u2014 he reiterated that the establishment of those settlements has no legal effect, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, and must cease immediately and completely.<\/p>\n

In the ensuing discussion, Indonesia\u2019s Vice\u2011Minister for Foreign Affairs said that Israel, as the occupying Power, is failing to implement resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 He went on to cite Israel\u2019s failure to pay $139\u00a0million in revenues collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, and called for increased humanitarian and economic assistance for the Palestinians.<\/p>\n

Kuwait\u2019s delegate reinforced that point, emphasizing the important role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(±¬ÁÏÍøRWA).\u00a0 He went on to highlight Israel\u2019s provocative rhetoric and attempts to change the status of holy sites, and underlined Kuwait\u2019s rejection of the decision by the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the annexed Golan Heights.<\/p>\n

On that point, the representative of the United States stressed the critical security importance of that decision, saying that allowing control over the Golan Heights by the likes of Syria and Iran would be tantamount to turning a blind eye to the atrocities of the Assad regime as well as Iran\u2019s destabilizing presence in the region.\u00a0 As for Gaza, he reaffirmed Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, adding that the international community must shine a light on the injustices perpetrated by Hamas.<\/p>\n

The Russian Federation\u2019s representative described the launching of rockets into Israel as unacceptable, and called upon both sides to refrain from unilateral actions and the use of force.\u00a0 However, the status quo is not viable, he emphasized, calling upon Council members to redouble their collective efforts to relaunch negotiations aimed at realizing a two\u2011State solution.\u00a0 As for the Golan Heights, he said unilateral steps cannot change the territory\u2019s status, which has been determined by Council resolutions. \u00a0That status is subject to direct Israeli\u2011Syrian dialogue, he stressed.<\/p>\n

China\u2019s representative, reinforcing that point, stressed that his delegation opposes unilateral actions that seek to alter facts on the ground, nor does it wish to see regional tensions escalate.<\/p>\n

France\u2019s representative said his delegation does not recognize the Golan since Israel\u2019s occupation of the territory is in breach of international law.<\/p>\n

The United Kingdom\u2019s representative, recalling that Israel occupied the Golan by force, emphasized that her delegation does not, therefore, recognize its sovereignty over that territory, and its Government has no plan to change that position.<\/p>\n

Germany\u2019s delegate, reprising the previous discussion, advised Palestine and Israel to avoid exchanging accusations in their statements to members.\u00a0 \u201cPut your speeches aside and focus on how you are implementing resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016),\u201d he urged, emphasizing that abiding by international law is the best way to protect civilians.<\/p>\n

The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine responded by asserting that the occupying Power \u201con the other side of the table\u201d is, under the protection of a Council member, failing to implement relevant Council resolutions, including resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 \u201cI beg you, find a way to implement your resolutions,\u201d he urged members.\u00a0 Calling for serious action to prevent further brutality, he called upon the Council to demand an end to all illegal Israeli policies, which are destroying the viability of a two\u2011State solution. \u00a0It must also demand that Israel immediately cease all provocations \u2014 including those perpetrated by extremist settlers \u2014 and attacks against the historic status quo of Haram al\u2011Sharif, he said, adding: \u00a0\u201cWe urge you to act before it is too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s representative said that his delegation is comfortable discussing implementation of Council resolutions, but when rockets are flying, Israel will defend its people, and then it will talk.\u00a0 \u201cWe have entered a new reality\u201d, with Hamas able to launch rockets deep into Israel, he said, calling upon the Council to clearly condemn Hamas and designate it as a terrorist organization.\u00a0 \u201cIf those attacks continue, the leaders of Hamas will feel the might of the\u00a0[Israel Defense Forces] and be buried in the tunnels of Gaza,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n

Also speaking today were representatives of the Dominican Republic, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, South Africa, Poland, Belgium, Peru and Equatorial Guinea.<\/p>\n

The meeting began at 9:43\u00a0a.m. and ended at 12:09\u00a0p.m.<\/p>\n

Briefing<\/u><\/p>\n

NICKOLAY MLADENOV, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, presented the latest report of the Secretary\u2011General on the implementation of Security Council resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) (document\u00a0S\/2019\/251<\/a>), dated 20\u00a0March\u00a02019.\u00a0 He said that a fragile calm seems to have taken hold in the Gaza Strip, recalling that on 25\u00a0March, a rocket launched from the enclave hit a house in central Israel and injured seven\u00a0family members, including three\u00a0children.\u00a0 Over the next 24\u00a0hours, at least 103\u00a0rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza into Israel, he said, adding that the country\u2019s air force conducted 42\u00a0strikes against various locations in Gaza, while ground and naval forces fired 16\u00a0shells towards Gaza, injuring seven\u00a0Palestinians.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing that nobody has an interest in a full military confrontation in Gaza, he warned that a new conflict will be devastating for the Palestinian people, with consequences for Israelis living near the Gaza perimeter and likely regional repercussions as well.\u00a0 He requested that Council members join the United Nations in condemning the continued indiscriminate firing of rockets by Hamas towards Israel, cautioning that such acts of provocation dramatically increase the risk of escalation and ultimately damage collective efforts to support Gaza\u2019s people and intra\u2011Palestinian reconciliation.\u00a0 \u201cWe must also call on all sides to exercise maximum restraint as the situation remains very tense,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

Noting that the Secretary\u2011General\u2019s report covers the period between 15\u00a0December\u00a02018 and 15\u00a0March\u00a02019, he said Israel has taken no steps to cease settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as per the terms of resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 Since the end of the reporting period, however, the Government announced the construction of 840\u00a0new housing units in the Ariel settlement, while demolitions and seizures of Palestinian\u2011owned structures continued in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 Meanwhile, violence has escalated, he added, noting that on 14\u00a0and 15\u00a0March, Hamas security personnel violently dispersed a demonstration by thousands of Palestinians protesting Gaza\u2019s dire socioeconomic circumstances.\u00a0 Protests at the Gaza fence have resumed, he said, with incendiary devices launched from Gaza into Israel and the Israeli military conducting air strikes and shelling.<\/p>\n

He went on to say that tensions in the occupied West Bank have also continued, citing a number of shootings, stabbings and clashes at or near Ariel, Nablus, Bethlehem, Ramallah and the Ktzi\u2019ot Prison.\u00a0 Both Israelis and Palestinians were killed or wounded, he added.\u00a0 Meanwhile, provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric have continued, with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad praising the attack near Ariel as heroic and Israeli political leaders calling for targeted assassinations of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad officials.\u00a0 Pointing out that no steps were taken to reverse negative trends that imperil a two\u2011State solution, he said the situation at Jerusalem\u2019s holy sites remains tense.\u00a0 There has also been no resolution to the funding crisis created by Israel\u2019s decision to withhold 6\u00a0per\u00a0cent of the revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, he added.<\/p>\n

Refocusing on implementation of resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016), he reiterated that the establishment of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, has no legal effect, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, and must cease immediately and completely.\u00a0 He expressed sadness at the persistent violence and loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives, calling upon both sides to reject violence and work to reduce tensions.\u00a0 He called upon all Council members to join the United Nations in condemning terrorism unequivocally.\u00a0 \u201cI am concerned that we may once again be facing another dangerous escalation of violence in Gaza with potentially catastrophic consequences,\u201d he warned, pointing out that the last two\u00a0days have shown how close is the brink of war.\u00a0 He called for a halt to the launching of rockets, mortars and other incendiary devices into Israel, while underlining the responsibility of that country\u2019s security forces to exercise restraint and use lethal force only when unavoidable and only to protect life.\u00a0 He strongly condemned the campaign of arrests and violence by Hamas security forces against protesters in Gaza, noting that the brutal beating of journalists and human rights workers, as well as the raiding of homes, is particularly alarming.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing the need for the return of unified government to Gaza, he called upon the Palestinian factions to engage with Egypt in implementing the 2017\u00a0Cairo Agreement and end intra\u2011Palestinian divisions.\u00a0 He concluded by expressing his deep concern at the lack of progress on the two\u2011State track, declaring:\u00a0 \u201cThere is no viable alternative to the two\u2011State solution.\u201d\u00a0 It remains critical for the parties to return to meaningful bilateral negotiations, he said, stressing that what is needed, first and foremost, is leadership and political will to take concrete steps in support of ending the occupation and realizing a lasting peace.\u00a0 Until that happens, another generation of Israelis and Palestinians is destined to spend their lives searching in vain for an elusive peace, he warned.<\/p>\n

Statements<\/u><\/p>\n

ABDURRAHMAN MOHAMMAD FACHIR, Vice\u2011Minister for Foreign Affairs of\u00a0Indonesia<\/u>, said the occupying Power is failing to implement resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) and continues to use live ammunition against civilians.\u00a0 The occupying Power defies United Nations principles by constructing illegal settlements and closing the Temporary International Presence in Hebron.\u00a0 Citing its failure to pay $139\u00a0million in Palestinian revenues, he called for increased humanitarian and economic assistance to the Palestinian people, noting that Indonesia is set to increase its financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(±¬ÁÏÍøRWA).\u00a0 \u201cThe two\u2011State solution is the only way to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace,\u201d he said, also calling for Palestinian national unity.\u00a0 He concluded by condemning the sealing of the Al\u2011Aqsa Mosque gates and called upon the Council to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n

MANSOUR AYYAD SH. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait<\/u>) expressed his delegation\u2019s support for efforts to defuse tensions, noting that the Special Coordinator is compelled to repeat his briefings due to the occupying Power\u2019s activities, including illegal settlements.\u00a0 He urged Israel to stop such practices, which are violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s unilateral decisions, including its retention of Palestinian revenues, also hinder a possible resolution of the conflict, he added.\u00a0 He warned against Israel\u2019s provocative rhetoric and attempts to change the status of holy sites, noting that Israel committed human rights violations during the Great March of Return protests of\u00a02018.\u00a0 Regarding ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA, he said it is difficult to call for stability in the region without recognizing the Agency\u2019s important role.\u00a0 He concluded by underlining Kuwait\u2019s rejection of the decision by the United States to recognize Israel\u2019s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which it annexed by force.<\/p>\n

JOS\u00c9 MANUEL TRULLOLS (Dominican Republic<\/u>) expressed concern about the dangerous trajectory of recent days, warning against unilateral measures.\u00a0 Noting that the Israeli\u2011Palestinian conflict is linked to others across the region, he said \u201ca new impetus is needed\u201d, highlighting the key role to be played by the United Nations.\u00a0 While condemning Israel\u2019s settlement activities as well as the launching of rockets into Israel, he said that his delegation remains troubled by the fragile humanitarian conditions in Gaza, such as a lack of electricity.\u00a0 Freezing of fiscal revenues is another destabilizing factor, he noted, urging both sides to resume the peace process within the framework of a two\u2011State solution.<\/p>\n

JONATHAN R. COHEN (United States<\/u>) said his delegation strongly condemns the latest rocket attacks against Israel from Gaza and reaffirms Israel\u2019s right to defend itself.\u00a0 Everyone can agree that Israelis and Palestinians must work together, with support from the international community, to improve conditions in Gaza, but malicious and insidious violence by Hamas contravenes that goal.\u00a0 Many factors lie behind the situation in Gaza, but the international community must shed a light on injustices on the part of Hamas, he emphasized.\u00a0 Yesterday, the President of the United States signed a proclamation recognizing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, he recalled, describing that decision as one of critical security importance.\u00a0 To allow the Golan Heights to be controlled by the likes of Syria and Iran would be to turn a blind eye to the atrocities of the Assad regime as well as Iran\u2019s destabilizing presence in the region, he said, stressing that there can be no agreement that fails to address Israel\u2019s security concerns in a satisfactory manner.<\/p>\n

GBOLI\u00c9 D\u00c9SIR\u00c9 WULFRAN IPO (C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/u>), emphasizing that the hope of peace is diminishing with every crisis, appealed to all parties to demonstrate restraint and respect international law, including relevant Council resolutions.\u00a0 He called upon the protagonists to engage in constructive dialogue and refrain from unilateral actions that could compromise international efforts to end the conflict peacefully.\u00a0 C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire is committed to Israel\u2019s security and to the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self\u2011determination and a two\u2011State solution, he said.\u00a0 On the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he called upon Council members, working with the United Nations and other partners, to meet the key needs of 5\u00a0million people in distress, and to support ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA.<\/p>\n

HARSHANA BHASKAR GOOLAB (South Africa<\/u>) condemned the Hamas rocket attacks against Israel, saying they undermine the legitimate cause of the Palestinians.\u00a0 Pressing the Council to act on the lifting of Israel\u2019s illegal Gaza blockade, she also cited the Secretary\u2011General\u2019s report noting that Israel continues to expand settlements in addition to demolishing and seizing property in the occupied territories \u2014 \u201cunabated and with impunity\u201d.\u00a0 These actions undermine the prospects for peace and alter conditions on the ground, she emphasized, noting that they also place the chances for a two\u2011State solution in jeopardy by eroding the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian State while contravening the Council\u2019s own decisions.\u00a0 While such overt violations of Council resolutions would usually evoke severe measures against the party responsible, the Council remains silent, she pointed out, warning that unless it upholds its decisions, it will lose effectiveness.\u00a0 South Africa is concerned about the disregard for the Middle East peace process and attempts to prejudge final status issues, she stressed, expressing concern that Israel continues illegally to occupy the Golan Heights in violation of the Council\u2019s own resolutions.\u00a0 Israel must respect Syria\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity, she added.<\/p>\n

JOANNA WRONECKA (Poland<\/u>) condemned the rocket attacks that struck residential buildings in Israel, calling for restraint to avoid full\u2011scale war.\u00a0 Recalling that the Security Council adopted resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) in\u00a02016, she said there have been no significant positive changes, but the risk of miscalculation has increased.\u00a0 With the one\u2011year anniversary of the Great March of Return approaching, Poland calls for negotiations and redoubled efforts towards a two\u2011State solution, she said, adding that the road map remains legitimate but is being called into question due to the deteriorating situation on the ground.\u00a0 Noting that the humanitarian situation in Gaza became worse with the lack of services, she said that about 80\u00a0per\u00a0cent of people there depend on the support provided by ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA, which remains key to stability in the region.\u00a0 All settlement activities are illegal, she reiterated.<\/p>\n

MARC PECSTEEN DE BUYTSWERVE (Belgium<\/u>) said Israel\u2019s continuing settlement activities and demolition of Palestinian structures are deeply worrying and illegal under international law.\u00a0 Belgium condemns all such violations and impunity, he added.\u00a0 Noting the approach of the anniversary of the Great March of Return, he emphasized that the use of lethal force must only be allowed as a last resort, adding that protests must remain non\u2011violent.\u00a0 It is not acceptable that extremists hijack protests, he said, stressing that Hamas must respect the rights to peaceful protest.\u00a0 He went on to applaud the work done by ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA, while cautioning against a series of unilateral measures, including Israel\u2019s decision to partially stop the transfers of tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority.\u00a0 All stakeholders must refrain from unilateral measures, he said, underlining that, in accordance with the European position, Belgium does not recognize Israel\u2019s sovereignty over the Golan.<\/p>\n

GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru<\/u>) expressed concern over a recent escalation in violence, including the launch of rockets, which endangers a political solution.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s legitimate defence must also be proportionate, he added.\u00a0 Describing Israel\u2019s settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as illegal, he said they undermine a two\u2011State solution and called for an immediate end to such practices.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s retention of legitimate Palestinian funds is also a destabilizing the conflict, he said, urging both sides to avoid further escalation and increase efforts towards resuming dialogue.\u00a0 Regarding the Golan decision, he reiterated that forcible annexation is unacceptable.<\/p>\n

AMPARO MELE COLIFA (Equatorial Guinea<\/u>), expressing alarm at the ever\u2011growing hostility between Israelis and Palestinians, said it is regrettable that all steps taken over the years have failed to get them to resume negotiations.\u00a0 Alongside efforts to improve the situation in Gaza, the Council must remain alert to stop the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from falling prey to violence as well, she emphasized.\u00a0 Israeli and Palestinian leaders must be aware that the eyes of the world are upon them, she added, noting that Equatorial Guinea\u2019s desire is for both sides to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from unilateral decisions that would only stoke extremism and inflame an already volatile situation.\u00a0 She went on to appeal to both Hamas and Fatah to work towards a definitive agreement that would enable the Palestinian Authority to carry out its role in Gaza as it does in the West Bank.\u00a0 Emphasizing that the two\u2011State formula is the only way to end the conflict, she stressed that the Council must redouble efforts to push Israel and the Palestinians to set aside the obstacles hindering their resumption of direct negotiations.<\/p>\n

WU HAITAO (China<\/u>) called upon Israelis and Palestinians to \u201ckeep in mind the big picture\u201d, exercise restraint, halt military action and facilitate the easing of tensions.\u00a0 The Council and others with influence must remain united and work hard to encourage reconciliation, he said.\u00a0 The two\u2011State formula is the fundamental solution to the Palestinian question and the international community must scale up efforts to facilitate the resumption of negotiations, he said, emphasizing that any new initiative should contribute to the realization of two States living in mutual peace and security.\u00a0 Resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016) must be implemented in full, he reiterated.\u00a0 Turning to the Golan, he underlined that it is internationally recognized as occupied territory, with the Council having adopted several consensus resolutions in that vein.\u00a0 China opposes any unilateral action that seeks to alter the facts on the ground, nor does it wish to see regional tensions escalate, he stressed.<\/p>\n

VLADIMIR K. SAFRONKOV (Russian Federation<\/u>) said recent events confirm the fragility and explosiveness of the situation.\u00a0 Describing the launching of rockets into Israel as unacceptable, he called upon all sides to refrain from unilateral actions and the use of force.\u00a0 However, the status quo is not viable, he emphasized, calling upon Council members to redouble their collective efforts to relaunch negotiations aimed at realizing a two\u2011State solution.\u00a0 Palestinians and Israelis must negotiate on the basis of Council resolutions, the Madrid Principles, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet road map.\u00a0 Russia will keep working towards restoring positive momentum, he said, adding that Moscow\u2019s proposal to host a summit of Israeli and Palestinian leaders remains on the table.\u00a0 He went on to underline that any steps towards intra\u2011Palestinian reconciliation will only be effective if they are taken in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas.\u00a0 As for the Golan Heights, he said unilateral steps cannot change the territory\u2019s status, which has been determined by Council resolutions.\u00a0 That status is subject to direct Israeli\u2011Syrian dialogue, he stressed.<\/p>\n

CHRISTOPH HEUSGEN (Germany<\/u>) said the Security Council was created to maintain international peace and security and Council resolutions are binding.\u00a0 Noting that the United States is now violating Council resolutions, he advised Israel and the State of Palestine to avoid exchanging accusations in their statements.\u00a0 \u201cPut your speeches aside and focus on how you are implementing resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016),\u201d he urged.\u00a0 Abiding by international law is the best way to protect civilians so that they can live without fear of Israeli bulldozers and Hamas rockets, he said.<\/p>\n

KAREN PIERCE (United Kingdom<\/u>) said her delegation shares the dismay of other members that the Council must meet repeatedly to condemn the violence on the part of both Israelis and Palestinians.\u00a0 The United Kingdom supports efforts by Egypt and the United Nations to broker a ceasefire, she added.\u00a0 The cycle of violence undermines the humanitarian situation in Gaza, she said, while also expressing concern about Palestinian deaths in the West Bank.\u00a0 All parties must restore calm, she emphasized.\u00a0 Regarding holy sites, she said they must remain under the custody of the King of Jordan.\u00a0 She went on to call for avoidance of future violence as the anniversary of the Great March of Return approaches.\u00a0 Regarding Israel\u2019s settlements and the demolition of Palestinian homes, she called upon Israel to abandon such plans.\u00a0 Furthermore, Israel occupied the Golan by force, she recalled, emphasizing that the United Kingdom does not, therefore, recognize its sovereignty over that territory, and its Government has no plan to change that position.<\/p>\n

FRAN\u00c7OIS DELATTRE (France<\/u>), Council President for March, spoke in his national capacity, emphasizing the need for the Council to oversee implementation of resolution\u00a02234\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 The situation on the ground is deeply troubling and has pushed the parties to the brink of war, he said, cautioning:\u00a0 \u201cA return to a ceasefire should not blind us\u201d about the incidents in the past several months because the conflict is complex.\u00a0 On the political front, there should be no further delays in the intra\u2011Palestinian reconciliation process, he stressed, calling for Palestinian unity and the restoration of the Palestinian Authority\u2019s administration in Gaza.\u00a0 However, there can be no solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza without Israel lifting its blockade, he said, also cautioning against Israel\u2019s settlement activities in the West Bank.\u00a0 If unchecked, he warned further, this \u201cnibbling away of territory integrity\u201d will force Palestinians to abandon their aspiration to establish a State.\u00a0 The fate of Israelis and Palestinians is intertwined, he said.\u00a0 Any attempt to sidestep internationally agreed parameters are doomed to fail, he predicted, warning against unilateral measures, including the installation of embassies in Jerusalem.\u00a0 He underlined that France does not recognize the Golan since its occupation by Israel is in breach of international law.<\/p>\n

RIYAD MANSOUR, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>, responded to the remarks by Germany\u2019s representative by stating that occupying Power \u201con the other side of the table\u201d is, under the protection of a Council member, failing to implement relevant Council resolutions, including resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 \u201cI beg you, find a way to implement your resolutions,\u201d he said, underlining that until the Council finds a way to do so, it will have no option but to listen to more statements.\u00a0 He said that his delegation has alerted the Council week after week to the increase in Israel\u2019s violations against Palestinians, calling upon it to protect civilians and implement its own resolutions \u2014 all to no avail, due to obstruction by a permanent member. \u00a0Today, Palestinians are again fearing for their lives as Israel takes to the skies, dropping bombs and missiles on civilians while terrorizing them in blatant acts of aggression and collective punishment, in grave breach of international law. \u00a0While some see cyclical wars on Gaza as the norm, \u201cthere is nothing normal about imprisoning, isolating and terrorizing 2\u00a0million people\u201d for more than a decade, he emphasized.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the first anniversary of the Great March of Return, he said, the Council cannot ignore the Commission of Inquiry finding that \u2014 besides the incidents of 14\u00a0May and 12\u00a0October \u2014 there are reasonable grounds to believe that Israel\u2019s use of live ammunition against demonstrators was unlawful. \u00a0The idea that the security of one must be achieved at the expense of the other is as offensive as it is illegitimate, he stressed, noting that such actions are part of a long\u2011running campaign of violence waged against Palestinians by Israel\u2019s military forces and extremist settlers.\u00a0 Palestinian leaders have unequivocally condemned violence against civilians and \u201cwe reject any libellous claims otherwise\u201d, he said, underlining that their commitment to peaceful, political and legal means to realize their rights has been proven time and again.<\/p>\n

He pressed the Council to demand that Israel respect its legal obligations, including its responsibility to ensure the safety of civilians under occupation, in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention.\u00a0 Calling for serious action to prevent further brutality, he recognized Egypt\u2019s efforts to secure a ceasefire and urged the Council to demand an end to all illegal Israeli policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 They are destroying the viability of a two\u2011State solution along the pre\u20111967 borders, he warned, adding that the Council must demand that Israel immediately cease all provocations \u2014 including those perpetrated by extremist settlers \u2014 and attacks against the historic status quo of Haram al\u2011Sharif.\u00a0 \u201cWe urge you to act before it is too late,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

DANNY BEN YOSEF DANON (Israel<\/u>) said it is easy to talk about both sides showing restraint, but rockets are flying into Israel, including the one that fell 150\u00a0feet from his own home on 25\u00a0March.\u00a0 Israel is comfortable discussing implementation of Council resolutions, he added, but when rockets are flying, it will defend its people, and then it will talk.\u00a0 He proposed that the Council hold a closed session during next month\u2019s German presidency to discuss the matter further.\u00a0 The launch of the long\u2011range rocket fired on 25\u00a0March, which injured seven\u00a0people, was an act of terror for which Hamas is responsible, he continued.\u00a0 It was fired from a Palestinian civilian area into an Israeli civilian area, putting innocent people in the line of fire and making Hamas guilty of a double war crime.\u00a0 More than 130\u00a0more rockets were subsequently fired into Israel, which responded forcefully and will continue to do so as long as such attacks persist, he emphasized.<\/p>\n

He went on to recall that Hamas has fired more than 12,000\u00a0rockets and mortars into Israel over the past 12\u00a0years.\u00a0 Its stated goal is to destroy Israel, but its other goal is to distract world attention from its oppressive rule of Gaza, where, in the past week, it arrested, beat up and shot Palestinians protesting against its terrorist regime, with no comment from ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA or the so\u2011called Human Rights Council.\u00a0 \u201cWe have entered a new reality\u201d, with Hamas able to launch rockets deep into Israel, he said, adding that Monday\u2019s incident was no accident, but a heinous terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel, which will not hesitate to take action.\u00a0 Israel expects the Security Council to clearly condemn Hamas and designate it as a terrorist organization, he said, stressing:\u00a0 \u201cTwelve thousand rockets and mortars should be enough evidence to warrant such designation.\u201d\u00a0 Israel will not accept that its children become targets for Hamas, he asserted.\u00a0 \u201cIf those attacks continue, the leaders of Hamas will feel the might of the\u00a0[Israel Defense Forces] and be buried in the tunnels of Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Germany<\/u>\u00a0took the floor a second time, saying that both his Palestinian and Israeli counterparts failed to answer his questions.\u00a0 To the State of Palestine: \u00a0\u201cHow do you plan to stop incitement and rocket launches?\u201d \u00a0To Israel: \u00a0\u201cHow do you plan to implement resolution\u00a02234\u00a0(2016)?\u201d\u00a0 He said that during next month\u2019s German presidency, his delegation will consider holding an informal meeting with Israel and the State of Palestine, as proposed by Israel\u2019s representative.<\/p>\n

The Permanent Observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>, responding to Germany\u2019s representative, said incitement is coming from the other side and proposed the creation of a credible Security Council commission to observe the behaviour of both sides.\u00a0 Another commission can be stationed in Gaza and on the Israeli side to monitor violations of international law, including rocket launches, he added. \u00a0\u201cStep up to the plate, as you\u00a0[Security Council members] are responsible for maintaining international peace and security,\u201d he urged.\u00a0 As for the informal meeting proposed by Israel, he insisted that it must be open and televised.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Israel<\/u>\u00a0said his delegation does not oppose such commissions, but direct negotiations are the only way to move forward.<\/p>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8489TH MEETING (AM) SC\/13745 26 MARCH 2019 video fran\u00e7ais Members Urge Israel to Stop Building Settlements on Palestinian Land, as Permanent Members Oppose Golan Decision by United States The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned the Security Council today about the danger of renewed violence in the Gaza Strip, \u201cwith potentially catastrophic […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2433,1329,2805,4389],"document-source":[1362,1897,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[6156,1769,1829,5358,2005,2401,2029,1961,5033,1626,2137,2117],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-214549","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-french-text","document-category-press-release","document-category-video","document-category-webcast","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-department-of-public-information-dpi","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-agenda-item","document-subject-armed-conflict","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-ClosuresCurfewsBlockades","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-holy-places","document-subject-house-demolitions","document-subject-jerusalem","document-subject-protests","document-subject-security-council-briefings","document-subject-settlements","document-subject-terrorism","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/214549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/214549\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=214549"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=214549"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=214549"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=214549"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=214549"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=214549"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=214549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}