Security Council: Middle East envoy warns against escalation, highlights continued Israeli settlement activity

During a briefing to the Security Council in New York on Wednesday.  

“The series of explosions across Lebanon and rockets fired toward Israel in recent days adds to the volatility,” said Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

He urged all sides “to refrain from steps that will further exacerbate the situation and take immediate steps to de-escalate.”

Settlement activity continues

Mr. Wennesland made the appeal prior to updating ambassadors on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 (2016), which demands that Israel end all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

“Settlement activity has, nevertheless, continued,” he said, speaking via videoconference from Washington, DC, where he will meet with US officials.

The latest UN report on the issue covers the period from 11 June to 11 September, falling amid the ongoing war in Gaza and alarming levels of violence in the West Bank.

During this time, some 6,730 housing units were advanced or approved in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.  Construction tenders also were published for approximately 1,100 housing units in settlements, including 780 in East Jerusalem.

Relatedly, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Central Command signed a military order on 18 July amending a 1995 order that implemented the Oslo Accords - the first direct peace agreement between the sides. 

The move granted the local military commander authority over planning and construction in certain parts of Area B in the West Bank that had been transferred to the Palestinian Authority.

Demolitions and evictions

Demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures also continued.

“Citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain, Israeli authorities demolished, seized, or forced people to demolish 373 structures, displacing 553 people, including 247 children. 26 of these structures were donor funded,” he said.

Meanwhile, Israel continued to evict Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem.  He highlighted the case of the Shehadeh family who were removed from their home in Silwan on 15 August, in favour of a settler organization, following a Supreme Court ruling.

Mr. Wennesland said the eviction displaced 35 people, while 188 Palestinians, including 111 children, left their occupied West Bank communities due to violence and harassment by settlers, and shrinking grazing land.

He noted that the reporting period also saw the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issue an Advisory Opinion on 19 July reaffirming that Israeli settlements were being maintained in violation of international law, and that new activity should cease. 

Furthermore, Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was “unlawful” and should be brought to an end as rapidly as possible.

Gaza conflict

Mr. Wennesland also addressed the conflict in Gaza, noting that the UN Secretary-General reported that the level of suffering there is unprecedented in his mandate at the helm of the global body.

The Secretary-General said that in order to address the immense humanitarian needs and improve the intolerable conditions of civilians, Israel must fully open all crossings into the enclave.

Israel must also facilitate the immediate, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout Gaza, in accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

A question for the Council

The Council also heard a briefing from Helen Clark, a former Prime Minister of New Zealand who also once headed the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Ms. Clark is a member of the group of eminent global public figures known as The Elders, which has made resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a priority since its founding in 2007 by the late Nelson Mandela.

She said implementation of resolution 2334 “is acutely relevant to the current devastating phase of the conflict” and to any chance of a two-State solution.

“But its failure so far also poses an existential question: can the Security Council enforce its own resolutions? This is surely crucial to its credibility,” she said.

New approach needed

Ms. Clark emphasized that the Council has a responsibility to chart a path towards a sustainable peace, and a full, immediate and complete ceasefire in Gaza is an indispensable step.  Therefore, it was “deeply disturbing” that a Council resolution calling for a ceasefire remains unimplemented.

She highlighted the need for a new approach, grounded in international law, including enforcement of UN Security Council resolutions. 

“Council members who question the binding status of these resolutions, or who use their veto to protect an ally or to oppose a geo-political rival, are eroding the Council’s authority. They also undermine their own reputations and long-term interests,” she said.

Respect ICJ decisions

She added that all UN Member States are also bound to respect and comply with ICJ decisions which includes the provisional measures ordered to protect Palestinians in Gaza.

While non-binding, the ICJ Advisory Opinion “is an authoritative, landmark ruling,” and she urged the UN General Assembly and Security Council to pass resolutions indorsing it and setting out what action is required by Israel, other Member States, and the UN to end the occupation.

“The Elders welcome the passing of the General Assembly Resolution on this issue yesterday. How will the Security Council respond to the Advisory Opinion?” she asked.