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News > Israel

UN Chief: End Israeli Settlement Activity in Occupied Territory

  • A Palestinian protester uses a slingshot to hurl stones at Israeli troops during clashes with Israeli troops on the Gaza-Israel border, east of southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Aug. 30, 2019.

    A Palestinian protester uses a slingshot to hurl stones at Israeli troops during clashes with Israeli troops on the Gaza-Israel border, east of southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Aug. 30, 2019. | Photo: Xinhua/Stringer

Published 4 February 2021
Opinion

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' call for an international peace conference under the auspices of the United Nations and an expanded Middle East Quartet provides a positive opportunity to advance peace in the region.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for an end to Israel's settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory, for the resumption of peace talks, and for the holding of Palestinian elections.

The United Nations remains committed to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve their conflict and bringing an end to the suffering, he told this year's opening session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

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"I reiterate my call on the government of Israel to immediately halt all settlement activity, which is a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution, and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace," he said.

Persistent acts of violence in occupied Palestinian territory as well as Israeli movement and access restrictions and other violations of international humanitarian and human rights law exacerbate mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians and make peace less attainable. The committee plays an important role in mobilizing international opinion and assisting Palestinians and Israelis to re-engage in meaningful negotiations, he said.

The long-agreed goal is clear: to end the occupation and realize a two-state solution on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and bilateral agreements, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, he noted.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' call for an international peace conference under the auspices of the United Nations and an expanded Middle East Quartet provides a positive opportunity to advance peace in the region, he said. "I call on the parties to refrain from unilateral acts that can jeopardize the possibility of restarting the peace process."

Guterres welcomed the presidential decree issued by Abbas to hold legislative, presidential and Palestinian National Council elections this year.

The holding of elections in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Gaza will be a crucial step toward Palestinian unity. It will give renewed legitimacy to national institutions, including a democratically elected parliament and government in Palestine, he said. "Elections are a vital part of building a democratic Palestinian state founded on the rule of law with equal rights for all. The committee's support to these efforts will be crucial."

Guterres also commended the committee's efforts to mobilize support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in a way that is sustainable, predictable, and long-term as Palestinian refugees need and deserve.

"Together, let us strive to uphold the values of the UN Charter as our shared framework of cooperation for the realization of the rights of Israelis and Palestinians, the Middle East region and beyond."

 
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