There is no substitute for legitimate political process, UN special envoy tells Security Council – Global Affairs

Summary Security CouncilTor Wennesland stressed the need for “firm action” that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to re-engage on the road to meaningful negotiations.

“There is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues that lead to conflict,” he said.

West Coast Concerns

Mr. Wennesland reported on worrying ongoing trends that he said were increasing territorial fragmentation in the West Bank, weakening the Palestinian Authority and further eroding prospects for peace.

“Across the West Coast, daily violence continues; Tensions in East Jerusalem and refugee camps are on the rise and settler violence remains a serious concern. He told the Ambassadors.

‘Fragile calm’ in Gaza

Meanwhile, although “a fragile calm” is currently prevailing in Gaza, the special envoy stressed it is only temporary.

“Hamas control of the Gaza Strip, the division of the Palestinians and the closure of Israel are creating a generation that has experienced many wars and humanitarian crises and has little prospect for life,” he said. a better life,” he said, calling on Israel to further ease restrictions on the movement of goods and services there.

Update on violence

Mr. Wennesland outlined the violence that had occurred across the Occupied Palestinian Territories since his last briefing in January.

Six Palestinians, including two children, were killed by Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank during this period. These deaths occurred during protests, clashes, search and arrest operations, attacks and alleged attacks against Israelis, as well as other incidents.

Overall, about 205 Palestinians were injured, including 25 children.

Nine Israeli civilians, including at least one woman and two children, as well as eight Israeli security personnel were injured by Palestinians during the reporting period.

Incidents include clashes, shootings, stabbings and attacks, stoning and Molotov cocktails.

Settlement and demolition

While violence involving settlers remains a concern, recent Israeli efforts to reduce incidents are “well documented”, Mr Wennesland told Council members.

Referring to settlement activity, he reported on plans to build about 400 new housing units in the Gilo settlement in occupied East Jerusalem to replace 80 there.

Earlier this month, Israel’s justice minister also published a legal opinion allowing authorities to proceed with the settlement plan at Evyatar, an outpost in the West Bank.

“I repeat that all settlements are illegal under international law and remain a significant obstacle to peace,” he said.

Israeli authorities also demolished 79 Palestinian-owned structures during the reporting period.

UN officials are particularly concerned about some families facing eviction from their long-standing homes in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, located in occupied East Jerusalem.

Tensions flared in Sheikh Jarrah after Israeli authorities on January 30 authorized the deportation of a Palestinian family in March. On Tuesday, an Israeli court suspended the deportation pending an appeal. and the family deposited $8,000 with the court as collateral.

Strengthening the Palestinian Authority

Mr. Wennesland also called for urgent action to prevent the financial collapse of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which continues to face a protracted financial crisis that is affecting service delivery and paralyzing paralyzed the economy.

Revenue has not kept up with necessary expenditures, he said, leading to debt piling up, while investments in health, education, infrastructure and other key areas are “virtually non-existent”.

He said economic and political reforms promoted from within the administration were an “important first step” to change the country’s dire fiscal situation.

No substitute for the political process

Although the recent high-level dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders resulted in commitments and some economic steps, the special envoy stressed that these efforts must be turned into lasting achievements. long and significantly expanded with policy changes on both sides.

“While we have seen some encouraging economic initiatives, we must move beyond the regulatory paradigm, rather than resolve the conflict. Economic steps alone – while necessary and essential – will not put us on the path towards a just and lasting peace,” he said.

Stressing the need for political leadership, Mr. Wennesland called on Israelis, Palestinians, regional states and the broader international community to take resolute action to get all parties back on the right track. negotiate.

“Only by ending the occupation and achieving the achievement of two States, living together in peace and security, based on the 1967 line, in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” he said. international law and previous agreements, will resolve this conflict”.