Foreign Minister Soreide,
Prime Minister Hamdallah,
Minister Hanegbi,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
We are grateful to Norway for convening and chairing this forum.
Last year and again in March, this forum noted the deeply worrying trends in the occupied Palestinian territory and the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and socio-economic situation. Since then, the situation has worsened.
The situation on the ground cannot be divorced from the broader context: Israel’s continued military occupation and settlement activity; Hamas’ continuing hold on Gaza, its militant activity, including rocket attacks and tunnel construction; uncertainties about the future of the peace process and the two-state solution; unilateral actions that undermine peace efforts; political divisions between Gaza and the Palestinian Authority; and turmoil in the wider region.
The importance of the parties coming together with the international community to engage in meaningful dialogue at this critical time cannot be overstated.
The Secretary-General has expressed concern about the violence during the recent demonstrations in Gaza. He deeply regrets the loss of lives. He is also concerned about the dangerous military escalation in Gaza and southern Israel and calls on all sides to exercise maximum restraint, cease all provocations and attacks, and use lethal force only as a last resort.
The situation was also discussed by the Envoys of the Middle East Quartet, as reflected in their statement yesterday. We are grateful for the support of the US, Russia and EU, and are committed to pursuing our efforts to prevent further escalation, empower the legitimate Palestinian authorities in Gaza, and address all humanitarian needs.
Over the past two months, United Nations Special Coordinator Office for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) and Egypt have engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring calm and returning to the 2014 ceasefire arrangements. I commend these efforts. For the de-escalation to hold, all sides must continue their engagement and do their part.
The Secretary-General has stressed that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only viable way to end the conflict and meet the legitimate aspirations and security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that jeopardize prospects for peace and progress.
Continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is an impediment to the two-state solution. It is illegal under international law and needs to stop. The return of the Palestinian Government to Gaza is critical not only to help meet Gaza’s humanitarian needs and advance its development objectives, but also the goals of self-determination and statehood.
State-building remains a cornerstone of our efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability. International donors and the parties themselves should meaningfully engage with this critical endeavour. The Palestinian Authority must continue implementing the National Policy Agenda. Progress on the state-building agenda depends on an end to settlement construction, violence, and the revitalization of the Palestinian economy. Concrete steps to prevent territorial fragmentation and increase Palestinian access to Area C must be prioritized.
Excellencies,
An unprecedented reduction in donor funding has brought into question the will and the ability of the international community to effectively respond to the increasing needs on the ground. As a result, this reduction in humanitarian and development assistance to Palestine, will leave a large gap of unmet needs. The impact of funding shortfalls on the economy and humanitarian situation, on the work of UNRWA, other UN Agencies and NGO’s, has and will be significant.
To help mitigate these effects, the UNSCO’s report has highlighted a number of the most critical humanitarian interventions required to support Gaza’s failing energy, water and health networks. The United Nations has also established a Project Management Unit in Gaza to work with Palestinian and Israeli authorities to facilitate the smooth implementation of urgent projects.
We are also supporting the parties to conclude a timely and critical review of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism, to improve its functionality, transparency and predictability. I would also like to acknowledge UNDP and the World Bank for taking on the challenge of job creation in Gaza, particularly their efforts to prioritize women and youth.
These steps will help advance a number of critical interventions for Gaza. The international community should offer as much support as possible. I welcome the recent announcements of contributions by several Member States and urge additional new funding including for UNRWA.
Excellencies,
The international community has invested extensive resources for years in Palestine’s statehood. Now is not the time to give up. The parties must also realize that donor support will not continue indefinitely without a meaningful political horizon and without resolving the split between Gaza and the West Bank.
We should not lose sight of our central objective: fostering a climate conducive to meaningful negotiations that will end the conflict once and for all. This must be the foundation of all our efforts.
The UN remains committed to support peace efforts leading to a negotiated two-state solution.
I thank you for your continued engagement and support and wish you the best in your deliberations.
Distinguished Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement,
H.E. Mr. Jorge Arreaza, Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,
Distinguished President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa,
Distinguished Ministers members of the Non-Aligned Movement,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour to address the Non-Aligned Movement on behalf of the Secretary-General, for the first time.
The Non-Aligned Movement represents nearly two-thirds of the membership of the United Nations. You hail from diverse societies joined by common goals.
For decades, the United Nations has greatly benefited from our partnership with the Non-Aligned Movement. We share an abiding belief in the importance of international cooperation, respect for human rights, justice and equality of all races and all nations.
From its inception, the Non-Aligned Movement understood the critical importance of multilateralism. The topic you have chosen for this Ministerial Meeting, [“Upholding the UN Charter and the Purposes and Principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): Towards a Culture of Peace”], reinforces this idea.
No country, regardless of size or resources, can on its own address the challenges deriving from today’s global trends –such as climate change, growing inequality, migration, and the increasingly complex and internationalized nature of conflict.
Mister Chair,
The United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement are united by a common purpose: an understanding that multilateralism is the most effective means to address these global challenges.
However, these are trying times for multilateralism. Yesterday, in his opening remarks at the General Debate, the Secretary-General expressed concern that “multilateralism is under fire precisely when we need it most”.
The Secretary-General further called for “renewed commitment to a rules-based order, with the United Nations at its centre”.
More than ever, we need the support of the NAM in asserting the value of international cooperation and multilateralism.
Ladies and gentlemen,
There is no clearer path to move toward a culture of peace than through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Members of the Non-Aligned Movement have been crucial in making sure that sustainable development remains central to the UN agenda.
The 2030 Agenda points to renewed faith in multilateralism and gives us hope that we can overcome global divisions in the name of the common good.
Mister Chair,
To conclude, I would like to say a few words about the UN reform, the operational response to the 2030 Agenda, which reinforces synergies among the peace and security, the development and the human rights pillars of our organization.
The reforms presented by the Secretary-General, based on an ample debate among Member States, aim to make the United Nations more “fit for purpose” and will strengthen our collective efforts to ensure that the multilateral system is more effective in responding to the current volatile global environment.
The Secretary-General has placed great emphasis on sustaining peace and prevention, understood in a broad sense that includes prevention of natural disasters, conflict, human rights violations, among others.
Sustaining Peace calls for ensuring national ownership through inclusive and people-centred approaches.
Sustaining Peace stresses the need for stronger partnerships between the United Nations, regional and sub-regional organizations, international financial institutions and civil society organizations.
Sustaining Peace also highlights the need for predictable, fast and flexible funds to advance peacebuilding priorities.
With the approval of the reform proposals by the General Assembly, the peace and security architecture will now be better positioned to both help to prevent conflicts and more effectively respond to resolve them, thus contributing to the advancement of a culture of peace.
Guided by the core principles of equality, justice and peace, as enshrined in the UN Charter we look forward to continuing our joint cooperation to address today's pressing challenges and build a better world for future generations.
Thank you.
The Envoys of the Middle East Quartet from the Russian Federation, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations met on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss the prospects for peace negotiations and the situation on the ground, in particular in Gaza.
The envoys expressed their deep concern over the continued escalation in Gaza.
The Middle East Envoys expressed support for the United Nations’ efforts...
As the situation on the ground in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, a United Nations report has called for urgent steps to prevent violent confrontation in Gaza, support for the return of the legitimate Palestinian Government and humanitarian assistance. This includes easing of Israeli movement and access restrictions, de-escalating tensions and urgent humanitarian and economic interventions to address Gaza’s failing basic services and devastated...
UN Special Coordinator Pernille Kardel and Adyan Foundation Chairman Rev. Fadi Daou
On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, acting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Ms....
Madame President,
Members of the Security Council,
On behalf of the Secretary-General, I will devote this briefing to presenting the seventh report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 covering the period from 13 June to 12 September this year.
I will focus on developments on the ground in accordance with the provisions of the resolution, including on regional and international efforts to advance peace.
Let me reiterate from the very beginning that these developments cannot be divorced from the broader context: Israel’s continued military occupation of Palestinian territory; uncertainties about the future of the peace process and the two-state solution; Hamas’ continuing hold on Gaza, its militant activity, including rocket attacks and tunnel construction; unilateral actions that undermine peace efforts; reduced donor support for the Palestinian Authority; and turmoil in the wider region.
I would like to highlight from the outset the very serious financial situation UNRWA continues to face. We welcome the contributions several member states recently announced and urge additional new funding be provided for its critical work. On September 27, a Ministerial Meeting in support of UNRWA will be held on the margins of the General Assembly, I urge all participants to engage constructively and ensure the continuity of the Agency’s vital services.
Madame President,
No steps have been taken during the reporting period to “cease all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem”, as required by the resolution.
I reiterate that all settlement activities are a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace.
Some 2,800 housing units in settlements in Area C of the occupied West Bank were advanced, approved or tendered by Israel. Approximately one third of those units are in outlying settlements deep in the West Bank. Plans for some 1,100 units were advanced in the approval process, plans for an additional 600 units reached the final approval stage, and tenders were announced for about 1,100 units. A tender was also announced for 603 housing units in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, the first tender in East Jerusalem since 2016.
On August 28th, the District Court in Jerusalem ruled that the illegal outpost of Mizpe Kramim can be legalized under Israeli law, despite being built partially on private Palestinian land. The ruling was the first to rely on the so-called “market regulation” principle, which would allow houses built “in good faith” on private land without the consent of the owner to be retroactively legalized and the owner compensated. If the ruling were to be upheld in Israel’s High Court of Justice, it would enable the legalization of additional outposts and housing units in settlements.
Madame President,
Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures by Israeli authorities continued across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Citing the absence of Israeli issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain, 117 structures were demolished or siezed, 61 in Area C and 56 in East Jerusalem. According to OCHA, this resulted in the displacement of 145 Palestinians, including 82 children, and affected the livelihoods of some 950 people.
In Khan al-Ahmar/Abu al-Helu, a Bedouin community of 181 people, Israeli authorities requisitioned land, levelled access routes and temporarily declared the area a closed military zone, in advance of the expected demolition of its structures. Following a protracted legal process, on the 5th of September the High Court of Justice denied several petitions by residents to prevent the demolition.
On 4 July, in Abu Nuwar, a Bedouin community of around 600 residents, 19 structures were demolished. OCHA reported that 51 people, including 33 children, were displaced. Later that month a donor-funded caravan in the Bedouin community of Jabal al-Baba, serving as a kindergarten for 28 children and as a women’s center, was also confiscated and dismantled.
These communities are located in or next to an area that is slated for settlement plans in the E1 area, which, if constructed, would create a continuous built-up area between the Ma’ale Adummim and East Jerusalem.
In July, the Israeli Knesset approved a law transferring the jurisdiction over certain petitions against decisions by Israeli authorities in the West Bank from the High Court of Justice to the Administrative Affairs Court in Jerusalem. This step could make it more difficult and costly to challenge the demolition or seizure of Palestinian properties in Area C.
On 11 September, the European Union High Representative / Vice-President, Federica Mogherini, called on Israeli authorities to reconsider the decision to allow the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar, warning that it “would have grave humanitarian consequences” and contravene international humanitarian law. This call was reiterated by Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. I also issued a statement expressing the same concern over such action. On the 13th of September, the European Parliament also called for monetary compensation for financial losses, should Khan al-Ahmar be demolished.
Madame President,
Members of the Security Council,
Let me turn now to the issue of violence, which remains an obstacle to peace. The reporting period saw significant incidents and escalation that brought Israel and Hamas almost to war on at least three occasions.
Palestinian protests at the Gaza fence continued on almost a daily basis. While on most occasions remained fairly peaceful, militants placed improvised explosive devices, attempted to breach the fence and continued to send incendiary kites and balloons across the border. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded with riot dispersal means and live fire. During protests throughout the reporting period, 29 Palestinians were killed or died of wounds sustained previously, including 10 children. Some 900 people were injured by live ammunition. one Israeli soldier was killed and another injured.
In successive rounds of hostilities, Hamas and other Palestinian militants fired some 500 rockets, Grad missiles and mortars from Gaza towards Israel. In response, the IDF fired some 400 missiles and tank shells at targrets inside Gaza. It destroyed three tunnels leading from Gaza into Israel. 18 Palestinians were killed, including 5 children, 118 injured, and 37 Israelis were injured in these exchanges.
On at least three occasions the situation escalated dramatically. Calm was only restored only after Egypt and the United Nations intervened to de-escalate tensions.
Incendiary kites and balloons continued to be launched from Gaza into neighbouring Israeli communities.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, 266 Palestinians, including 5 women and 54 children, were injured in clashes with Israeli security forces during search and arrest operations and demonstrations.
On 23 July, a 15-year-old Palestinian was killed during clashes in Bethlehem’s al-Duheisha refugee camp. Three days later, in the settlement of Adam, a 17-year-old Palestinian repeatedly stabbed and killed an Israeli man and injured two others. On 17 August and 3 September, the ISF shot dead an Israeli Arab and a Palestinian in Jerusalem’s Old City and in Hebron, respectively, after they reportedly attempted to carry out stabbing attacks against the ISF.
On 27 July, clashes erupted at the Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif between Palestinians and Israeli security where ten Palestinians and four Israeli police officers were injured.
On 16 September, in another attack a Palestinian teenager stabbed and killed an Israeli-American outside of a shopping mall in the West Bank. It is reprehensible that Hamas and other Palestinian factions chose to glorify this attack.
Madame President,
Despite the call in Security Council resolution 2334 for the parties to refrain from acts of provocation, incitement, and inflammatory rhetoric, such statements continued.
Hamas leaders continued to incite violence, with one senior official speaking of “cleansing Palestine of the filth of Jews,” and threatening to decapitate Israeli leaders. Fatah’s official social media pages continued to glorify perpetrators of previous attacks against Israelis and failed to condemn terror attacks against civilians. Some religious leaders and officials made inflammatory statements, accusing Israel of plotting to destroy the al-Aqsa Mosque and denying Jewish historic and religious connection to Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, some Israeli officials called for the targeting of Palestinians launching incendiary kites and balloons into Israel from Gaza and the extrajudicial killings of Hamas officials. One Member of the Knesset called for Israel to reconquer Gaza and insisted that Palestinians in Gaza either acquiesce to Israel’s sovereignty or emigrate. Others continued to provoke by rejecting the Palestinian right to statehood, supporting settlement growth and annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Resolution 2334 (2016) reiterated calls by the Middle East Quartet for “affirmative steps to be taken immediately to reverse negative trends on the ground that are imperiling the two-State solution.”
Some positive steps were taken, including Israel releasing some USD 44 million of withheld Palestinian health stamp revenues. This is the result from continuing direct engagement of the finance ministers of both sides, as well as continued progress on reconstruction in Gaza.
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remained largely open during the reporting period with the number of people crossing reaching over 12,000 in both June and July.
Madame President,
The negative developments however outweigh the positive news.
Most worrying perhaps is the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian, security and political situation in Gaza, as the implementation of the Egyptian brokered October (2017) agreement remains stalled and the Palestinian Authority has not taken up its responsibilities in Gaza.
As we meet today, the power crisis in Gaza is coming to a head. The United Nations has run out of funding for emergency fuel. This puts critical health, water and sanitation facilities at immediate risk of shutting down while essential medicines are at critically low levels, with almost half of essential medicines at less than one-month’s supply and 40 per cent completely depleted. On 5 September, the United Nations delivered the final stocks of available emergency fuel. Despite calls for donors to urgently contribute, little additional funding has been forthcoming.
The situation was worsened by the temporary closures of the Kerem Shalom crossing and reductions in the fishing zone that were introduced by Israel during the periods of escalation, as well as the continuing measures by the Palestinian Authority to reduce salaries, energy supply and overall spending in Gaza.The UN Humanitarian Coordinator has released 1 million USD from the emergency pooled fund to cover fuel for hospitals and water and sanitation facilities to prevent a collapse of essential services.
To address the chronic crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, the humanitarian community appealed for nearly USD 540 million this year, through the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), 75 per cent of which is for projects targeting Palestinians in Gaza. At present, Madam President, the appeal is less than 29 per cent funded, one of the most poorly funded in the world.
Madame President,
Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) called on Member States “to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied in 1967.” No such steps were taken during the reporting period.
The resolution also called upon “all parties to continue, inter alia, to exert collective efforts to launch credible negotiations”. No progress was achieved in this respect.
The United States has repeatedly announced that it is continuing its efforts aimed at a comprehensive peace plan. In August, the administration suspended more than USD 200 million in fiscal year 2017 Economic Support Funds for the West Bank and Gaza and a further USD 25 million, for the East Jerusalem hospitals network. On September 10th, it closed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Office in Washington citing its failure to take steps towards meaningful negotiations with Israel and concerns with Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation of Israel by the International Criminal Court.
The Palestinian Central Council convened in August and ratified the continued severance of political relations with the United States, until the latter revisits its decisions regarding Jerusalem, Palestine refugees and settlements.
On the 5th of September, the Government of Paraguay announced that it would reverse the previous decision from May 2018 to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and move it back to Tel Aviv.
Since the escalation of hostilities in Gaza in July, the United Nations has led unprecedented efforts, with the Governments of Egypt, Israel and other international partners, to prevent another outbreak of hostilities, respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs, and support the return of the legitimate Palestinian government to Gaza, a crucial element in any political effort to resolve the wider conflict.
The United Nations has enhanced its capacity in Gaza to work with the Palestinian Government and Israeli counterparts to support donor implementation on all issues related to the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism and provide accountable and transparent reporting to donors.
The World Bank has increased its allocation from USD 55 million to USD 90 million for the West Bank and Gaza over the next year, part of which will be used to create some 4,400 short-term employment opportunities. UNDP has also accelerated its emergency economic assistance programme with support from several donors.
Madame President,
In closing, I would like to share some broad observations concerning the implementation of the provisions of resolution 2334 during the reporting period.
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
Twenty-five years have now passed since the signing of the Oslo Accords. It was a historic moment that captured the world’s attention and filled Palestinians, Israelis and the region with hope that a genuine peace could be realized. Sadly, that courageous vision of a lasting peace now lies in tatters.
We must restore hope – that there is an alternative to this perpetual cycles of violence. We must overcome the current impasse and refocus our efforts on ultimately returning to meaningful negotiations to end the occupation and bring a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A resolution based on two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Jerusalem as the capital of both States, based on the 1967 lines and in line with relevant United Nations resolutions and previous agreements.
I urge all sides to continue to engage with each other and with the international community to preserve and advance its achievement.
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
Finally, I want to underline today that the urgency of the situation we face on the ground is really desperate. Gaza can explode any minute. We have a humanitarian responsibility to react but we must also understand that it cannot be solved only on the basis of humanitarian action. It must be solved with a political perspective to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and we have a responsibility to recreate it and to support the parties in this prospect.
Thank you.
Madam President, Members of the Security Council,
There have been several positive developments related to the nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea over recent months.
On 20 April, the DPRK announced an immediate halt to nuclear explosive testing and flight tests of certain longer-range ballistic missiles.
On 24 May, the DPRK reportedly dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test site. The DPRK also reportedly dismantled missile-related infrastructure at the Iha-Ri missile test stand in May and the Sohae Satellite Launching Site in July. International experts, however, were not invited to witness any of these activities.
In the meantime, there continue to be signs the DPRK is maintaining and developing its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The International Atomic Energy Agency – remains unable to access the DPRK and verify the correctness and completeness of the DPRK’s declarations under its safeguards agreement. The Agency continues to monitor developments through commercially available satellite imagery where possible. In his regular report to the IAEA Board of Governors and General Conference submitted on 20 August, the IAEA Director General reported that the Agency had observed signatures consistent with the continued operation of the plutonium production reactor, radiochemical laboratory and alleged uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon.
Madam President,
The Secretary-General has welcomed the commitment made by Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK on 5 September to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
It is hoped that the positive developments, together with the important summits between the leaders of the DPRK and the Republic of Korea and between the DPRK and the United States, respectively, will contribute to an atmosphere conducive to advancing sustainable peace and complete and verifiable denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.
Security Council unity helped create the opportunity to engage diplomatically. A year ago, the Korean Peninsula was the most tense and dangerous peace and security issue in the world. Today, progress has been made on building trust, reducing military tensions, and opening or re-opening channels of communications. A foundation has been established to make tangible progress on the core issues.
We encourage all Member States to support the parties in their diplomatic efforts, and to ensure the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Madam President,
I have been asked to brief today on the “United Nations Command” which is also referred to as the “Unified Command”.
Security Council resolution 84 of 7 July 1950 recommended that all Member States providing military forces and other assistance to the Republic of Korea should QUOTE - “make such forces and other assistance available to a unified command under the United States of America” - END QUOTE and requested the United States to designate the commander of such forces. The same resolution also authorised the unified command at its discretion to use the United Nations flag in the course of its operations concurrently with the flags of the various nations participating.
In its first report to the Security Council on the operation of the Command, the United States informed the Security Council that on 25 July 1950 the Unified Command was established and the Security Council first used the name “United Nations Command” in resolution 88 of 8 November 1950. Notwithstanding its name, the “United Nations Command” is not a United Nations operation or body, nor does it come under the command and control of the United Nations. Furthermore, it was not established as a subsidiary organ of the Security Council and is not funded through the United Nations budget.
As such, there are no reporting lines between the “United Nations Command” and the United Nations Secretariat.
Madam President,
The Secretary-General, during the upcoming high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly, will discuss how he and the United Nations system can further support the parties and how steps can be advanced towards sustainable peace, security, and complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, in accordance with Security Council resolutions. He hopes that the inter-Korean summit starting in a few hours, as well as the planned summit between the leaders of the United States and the DPRK, will further contribute to this process. Thank you.
Sana’a, 16 September 2018: The United Nations is working to open a humanitarian medical air bridge for Yemeni civilians who are suffering from conditions which cannot be treated inside Yemen.
“The aim is to help patients suffering from cancer, chronic diseases and congenital anomalies receive the treatment they need,” said Dr. Nevio Zagaria, the Representative of the World Health Organization in Yemen. “Twelve conditions have been agreed. It’s so important that people...
Amman, 11 September 2018
Madam President,
Thank you very much, Madam President and Let me first express my sympathies to you Madam President, your government and your people on this tragic day that we have all mourned for so long.
Madam President,
When I called for the Intra-Yemeni Consultations in Geneva, I never expected it to be an easy mission. The parties have not met for more than two years. The war has been escalating virtually on all fronts...