Security Council: Middle East envoy warns of escalation, highlights continued Israeli settlement activity
“A series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired towards Israel in recent days add to the volatility,” speak Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
He urged all parties “ refrain from taking steps that will aggravate the situation and take immediate steps to de-escalate“ .
Settlement activities continue
Mr Wennesland made the call before updating ambassadors on the implementation. Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016)demands that Israel end all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
“However, settlement activities continue,” he said.
The latest UN report on the issue covers the period from June 11 to September 11, amid ongoing fighting in Gaza and alarming levels of violence in the West Bank.
During this time, some 6,730 housing units have been developed or approved in the occupied West Bank, including East JerusalemConstruction tenders have also been announced for some 1,100 housing units in settlements, including 780 units in East Jerusalem.
Relatedly, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Central Command signed a military order on July 18 to amend the 1995 order implementing the Oslo Accords – the first direct peace agreement between the parties.
The move gives local military commanders planning and construction authority in some areas of Area B in the West Bank that have been transferred to the Palestinian Authority.
Demolition and Eviction
Demolition and confiscation of Palestinian-owned structures also continues.
“Citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain, Israeli authorities have demolished, confiscated or forced residents to demolish 373 structures, displacing 553 people.including 247 children. 26 of these projects were funded by donors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to evict Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. He highlighted the case of the Shehadeh family who were evicted from their home in Silwan on August 15, in favor of a settler organization, following a Supreme Court ruling.
The evictions displaced 35 people, while 188 Palestinians, including 111 children, were forced to leave their occupied West Bank communities due to violence and harassment by settlers, and shrinking grazing land, Mr Wennesland said.
He noted that the reporting period also witnessed International Court of Justice (International Court of Justice) Issue Advisory Opinion on 19 July reaffirmed that the maintenance of Israeli settlements violates international law and that new activity must cease.
Furthermore, Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is “illegal” and must end as soon as possible.
A 13-year-old girl walks to school every day, located next to the Bet El Settlement in the West Bank (file).
A Question for the Council
The Council also heard a briefing from Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand who also headed the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Ms Clark is a member of a group of globally prominent public figures known as The Elders, a group that has made resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a top priority since it was founded by the late Nelson Mandela in 2007.
She said the implementation of resolution 2334 was “deeply relevant to the current devastating phase of the conflict” and any chance of a two-state solution.
“But its failure so far also raises an existential question: maybe Security Council enforce its own resolutions? This is certainly important for its credibility.“, she said.
A new approach is needed
Ms Clark stressed that the Council has a responsibility to chart a path towards a sustainable peace, and that an immediate, comprehensive and complete ceasefire in Gaza is an indispensable step. It is therefore “deeply troubling” that a Council resolution calling for a ceasefire has not yet been implemented.
She stressed the need for a new approach, based on international law, including the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.
“Council members who question the binding nature of these resolutions, or use their vetoes to protect allies or oppose geopolitical rivals, are eroding the Council’s authority.. They also damage their own reputation and long-term interests,” she said.
Respect for ICJ decisions
She added that all UN member states also have a duty to respect and comply with the ICJ’s rulings, including the provisional measures taken to protect the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Although non-binding, the ICJ Advisory Opinion “is an authoritative and landmark judgment” and she urged the UN General Assembly and Security Council to adopt resolutions endorsing the judgment and outlining the actions Israel, other member states and the UN should take to end the occupation.
“The elders welcome through the Resolution of the General Assembly on this issue yesterday. How will the Security Council respond to the Advisory Opinion?” she asked.
There is much more…
