UNITED NATIONS
\nIn the face of escalating violence in the occupied territories, the urgency for a two-state solution in Palestine was passionately emphasised by almost all UN Security Council members on Friday, including the five veto-wielding powers.
\nThe call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza echoed strongly, with all member states, except the United States, demanding a halt to hostilities. Notably, the UNSC meeting brought forth a united condemnation of Jewish settlers\u2019 attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
\nThe UN secretary general also shared his views on this issue, expressing \u201cgrave concerns\u201d over the \u201cfurther spillover\u201d of the conflict in Gaza. The Security Council discussed the situation in the Middle East against the backdrop of escalating violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the relentless Israeli bombardment in the war-ravaged enclave.
\nThe UN chief warned that the further spillover of the conflict in Gaza could have devastating consequences for the entire region.
\nJohn Kelley, US Minister Counselor to the UN, expressed concern over the rise in extremist violence in the West Bank and Gaza, describing 2023 as the deadliest year for Palestinians. He urged Israel to prevent settler violence and hold perpetrators accountable, supporting a two-state solution.
\n\u201cThe United States continues to stress to the Israeli government the importance of preventing extremist settler violence,\u201d he said.
\nChina\u2019s Deputy Permanent Repre\u00adsentative, GENG Shuang, warned that the prolonged conflict would escalate casualties. He criticised Israel\u2019s settlement activities, calling for their cessation, and stressed the importance of a two-state solution, supporting Palestine\u2019s UN membership.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s no safe place in Gaza,\u201d he said, warning about the humanitarian challenges and asserting, \u201cIsrael must cease all settlement activities and hold perpetrators accountable.\u201d
\nRussia\u2019s Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, highlighted the tense situation in the West Bank and Gaza, condemning the high Palestinian casualties. He linked the crisis to regional tensions, expressing concern about a potential mass Palestinian exodus. Nebenzia condemned the terrorist attacks on October 7 but criticized Israel\u2019s operations as disproportionate, resulting in a high civilian toll, including UN staff.
\nNicolas de Rivi\u00e8re, French Ambassador and Permanent Representative, told the council, \u201cPriority must go to the immediate implementation of a lasting ceasefire, with the help of all regional and international partners.\u201d He criticised Israel for killing thousands of civilians in Gaza
\nwho had nothing to do with Hamas\u2019 Oct 7 attacks.
\n\u201cMany more will die from attacks, from disease from famine if we do not\u2026stop this humanitarian catastrophe,\u201d warned Barbara Woodward, Permanent Repre\u00adsentative of the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
Decisive action
\nThe UAE envoy, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, stressed the critical need for decisive action to maintain momentum toward a two-state solution. Addressing the carnage, she stated, \u201cIn the face of this carnage, we have all rediscovered the urgency of achieving the two-state solution as a way forward out of this.\u201d
\nThe international community was urged to take resolute steps to ensure progress along this vital diplomatic pathway.
\nAs 2023 emerges as one of the deadliest years for Palestinians, the United States reiterated its commitment to addressing the situation. John Kelley, Minister Counsellor and Political Coordinator at the US Mission to the UN, emphasised the importance of preventing settler violence and pursuing accountability. He underscored, \u201cLet us be clear, a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace is the path to peace.\u201d
\nHowever, Marwan Muasher from the Carnegie Endowment raised concerns about the future viability of the two-state solution, citing demographic and political realities. The urgent need to end the Gaza conflict permanently, considering the suffering of the Palestinian people, was highlighted by Muasher.
\nS\u00e9rgio Fran\u00e7a Danese, Permanent Representative of Brazil, pointed to the heightened risk of Gaza facing famine due to ongoing hostilities.
\nKhaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary General, emphasised the importance of restoring a political horizon through a two-state solution.
\nMajed Bamya, Deputy Permanent Observer from the State of Palestine, underscored the resilience of the Palestinian people amid the ongoing struggle. Expressing concern over attacks by Israeli settlers, Francesca Maria Gatt, Deputy Permanent Representative of Malta, emphasised the inexcusability of such actions.
\nAmbassador Harold Adlai Agyeman of Ghana joined the global chorus, asserting, \u201cThe war indeed must stop, and it must stop now.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS In the face of escalating violence in the occupied territories, the urgency for a two-state solution in Palestine was passionately emphasised by almost all UN Security Council members on Friday, including the five veto-wielding powers. The call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza echoed strongly, with all member states, except the United States, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":377843,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-377835","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n