"WEST BANK"

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland said, “Israelis and Palestinians must determine how they envision the future. Negotiations can no longer be pushed off indefinitely. The current course is leading us towards a perpetual state of violence and conflict.” UNIFEED

Israeli, Palestinian leaders’ statements on two-state solution positive sign, but words must be turned into action, speakers tell Security Council.

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, told the Security Council that the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza remains in effect and “a fragile calm has been restored” in the territory. UNIFEED

The Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Lynn Hastings said, “immediate steps to reverse negative trends and to support the Palestinian people are essential. The violence must stop. The tensions that have been mounting, particularly in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, amidst continued settlement activity and settler-related violence, must be addressed.” UNIFEED

Addressing Israeli-Palestinian tensions as they arise cannot replace efforts to resolve core issues, Deputy Special Coordinator tells Security Council.

Addressing Israeli-Palestinian tensions as they arise cannot replace efforts to resolve core issues, Deputy Special Coordinator tells Security Council.

All parties must act now to lower tensions, reverse negative trends undermining prospect of two-state solution, Middle East coordinator tells Security Council.