Settlement actions ‘impede peace,’ and are ‘imperilling the viability of the two-state resolution,’ says the UN physique.
(AP Archive)
The UN Security Council has unanimously denounced Israeli plans to enormously increase its development of settlements within the occupied West Bank, that are thought-about unlawful below worldwide legislation.
The prolonged assertion, learn aloud within the council chambers, “expresses deep concern and dismay with Israel’s announcement on Feb. 12, 2023 announcing further construction and expansion of settlements and the legitimisation of settlement outposts.”
“The Security Council reiterates that continuing Israeli settlement activities are dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-state solution based on the 1967 lines,” mentioned Vanessa Frazier, Malta’s UN envoy who’s serving because the council’s president for the month of February.
“The Security Council strongly underscores the need for all parties to meet their international obligations and commitments, strongly opposes all unilateral measures that impede peace, including, inter alia, Israeli construction and expansion of settlements, confiscation of Palestinian lands, and the legitimate legalization of settlement outposts, demolition of Palestinians homes and displacement of Palestinian civilians,” she added.
The assertion additional condemned all acts of violence towards civilians, together with people who have focused Palestinians and Israelis, and known as “on all parties to observe calm and restraint and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric, with the aim, inter alia, of escalating the situation on the ground.”
Israel’s authorities on February 13 moved to advance 10,000 new settlement properties within the occupied West Bank, and moved to retroactively legalize 9 settler outposts that had been beforehand unlawful below Israeli legislation. The announcement drew stern worldwide backlash, together with from Palestine, which had sought to carry a Security Council vote condemning the enlargement.
Palestinian Authority reportedly agreed to droop that effort over the weekend after the council agreed to problem the assertion concerning Israel’s actions.
READ MORE:
Israel set to legalise 9 settlements in occupied West Bank
Surge in violence
Tor Wennesland, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ envoy for Israeli-Palestinian peace, instructed the council that the worldwide neighborhood is “witnessing a surge in violence including some of the deadliest incidents” previously 20 years whereas unilateral actions “are moving the parties further apart, exacerbating tensions and driving conflict.”
“Immediate efforts are required to reduce tension. But restoring calm is not on its own a recipe for progress,” he mentioned.
Wennesland mentioned a “significant number” of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids within the occupied West Bank, and different clashes through the previous month, and documented assaults wherein Israeli civilians have been killed.
“The current escalation of violence is deeply worrying. There can never be any excuse for acts of terrorism. The targeting of civilians must be clearly condemned and rejected by all. Celebration and glorification of such attacks is abhorrent, and must be unequivocally condemned,” he mentioned.
Outside Israel and the occupied territories, the UN company chargeable for Palestine refugees raised alarm on the worsening circumstances going through those that fled battle or had been pressured from their homeland amid mounting crises.
“A growing number of Palestinian refugees in the region stand on the brink of despair. Multiple crises, conflicts, the never-ending occupation, the socio-economic ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic, and rising global food and fuel prices caused by the conflict in Ukraine have pushed a growing number of Palestine refugees into poverty,” mentioned Leni Stenseth, the deputy chief the UN’s Palestine refugee company (UNRWA) mentioned.
“This year has already witnessed a record high number of deaths among Palestinians, including Palestine refugees. Casualties among Israelis are also of grave concern. We can almost anticipate that coming weeks will likely bring more violence, deaths and life-changing injuries, including for bystanders and children in the West Bank,” she added.
READ MORE: Expanding unlawful West Bank settlements is Netanyahu’s govt high precedence
Source: TRTWorld and companies
Source: www.trtworld.com
