UN / PALESTINE

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19-Dec-2022 00:01:55
The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said that in 2022 to date, over 150 Palestinians and more than 20 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank and Israel, “the highest numbers of fatalities in years.” UNIFEED

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STORY: UN / PALESTINE
TRT: 01:55
SOURCE: UNIFEED
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LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 19 DECEMBER 2022, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

SHOTLIST:
FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior UN Headquarters

19 DECEMBER 2022, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

2. Wide shot, Security Council, Tor Wennesland on screen
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Clashes, protests attacks, Israeli security operations, including in Area A, and settler-related violence have continued. In 2022 to date, over one hundred and fifty Palestinians and more than twenty Israelis have been killed in the West Bank and Israel, the highest numbers of fatalities in years.”
4. Med shot, Council President
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, remains deeply concerning. Settlements constitute a flagrant violation of United Nations resolutions and international law. They undermine the prospect of achieving a two-State solution by systematically eroding the possibility of establishing a contiguous, independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian State.”
6. Wide shot, Security Council
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“I call upon the Government of Israel to end the demolition of Palestinian-owned property, prevent the possible displacement and eviction of Palestinians, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian and international human rights law, and approve plans that would enable Palestinians to build legally and address their development needs.”
8. Med shot, Security Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Seeking to freeze this conflict or manage it in perpetuity are not viable options. There is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues driving the conflict.”
10. Wide shot, Security Council


STORYLINE:
The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said that in 2022 to date, over one hundred and fifty Palestinians and more than twenty Israelis have been killed in the West Bank and Israel, “the highest numbers of fatalities in years.”

Briefing the Security Council today (19 Dec) on the situation in the Middle East via video teleconference, Wennesland reported, “Clashes, protests attacks, Israeli security operations, including in Area A, and settler-related violence have continued.”

According to Wennesland six Palestinians, including two children, have been killed by Israeli security forces since 8 Dec.

He continued, “Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, remains deeply concerning. Settlements constitute a flagrant violation of United Nations resolutions and international law. They undermine the prospect of achieving a two-State solution by systematically eroding the possibility of establishing a contiguous, independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian State.”

He noted that while the reporting period saw no advancements of housing units in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the total number of settlement housing units advanced in 2022 remains high, albeit slightly lower than in 2021.

He also said that in occupied East Jerusalem, the number of housing units advanced more than tripled from the previous year from some 900 units in 2021 to some 3,100 units in 2022.

The Special Coordinator called the Government of Israel to end the demolition of Palestinian-owned property, prevent the possible displacement and eviction of Palestinians, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian and international human rights law, and approve plans that would enable Palestinians to build legally and address their development needs.

He said that the Palestinian Authority is facing mounting economic and institutional challenges, compounded by the constraints of the occupation, the absence of serious reforms and unclear prospects for donor support.

The Special Coordinator also noted that situation in Gaza remains fragile, and the risk of escalation persists.

Wennesland expressed concern about the financial situation of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and noted that the delivery of essential services to Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is at risk.

He concluded, “seeking to freeze this conflict or manage it in perpetuity are not viable options. There is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues driving the conflict.”

After the Security Council meeting, EU Members of the Security Council, France and Ireland, and incoming EU members Malta, joined by Albania, Norway and Switzerland, delivered a joint statement, mentioning that it is essential to restore a political horizon towards a just and sustainable peace to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace, dignity, and security.
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