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Statement at UNSC briefing on the Middle East, Incl. the Palestinian Question

Thank you, President, and thank you Tor for your briefing. Let me assure you of Ireland’s strong support for your work and stress the importance of the continued facilitation by all parties of your efforts. 

 

As you have outlined, Tor, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains extremely grave.

 

Today I want to focus on three issues:

the need for de-escalation and protection of civilians

the need to halt Israeli settlements and settler violence

the need for accountability.

 

Tor, as you have said, this year is on course to be the deadliest year for Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory since OCHA began documenting in 2005.  The impact on children is particularly disturbing.

 

The security situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has deteriorated sharply. We are concerned that confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians often arise in response to attacks by settlers or incursions into Palestinian villages by the Israeli security forces. 

 

In some recent instances, reports suggest that those killed did not appear to pose a concrete or imminent threat to justify the use of lethal force. This raises serious concerns about excessive use of force. 

 

We are troubled by movement restrictions imposed by Israeli security forces.  While these restrictions have largely been lifted in Shu’fat refugee camp, and, more recently, in Nablus, in both cases they remained in place for long periods of time.

 

 

 

 

 These restrictions severely and adversely affect access by entire populations to basic services, such as healthcare, education, food supplies and waste collection – 200,000 people in the case of Nablus.

 

We are also very concerned at the recent entry into force of new rules governing entry procedures for foreigners into the West Bank, which may be incompatible with Israel’s competence as an occupying power under international law.

 

President,

 

We welcome the Israeli Prime Minister’s support for a two-State solution at the General Assembly last month. We urge the Israeli Government to take concrete action to support that aspiration.

 

Israel’s continued support for, and expansion of, settlements undermines the recognised parameters for a two-State solution.

 

Ireland reiterates its call on Israel to cease all settlement activities. They are illegal under international law and flagrantly violate Resolutions of this Council.

 

 

We are particularly concerned by the sharp increase in coordinated and armed settler violence in parts of the West Bank, especially in the town of Huwwara and parts of Nablus.

 

As the olive harvest gets underway, Ireland calls on the Israeli authorities to act urgently to ensure that Palestinians living and farming in the occupied West Bank are able to go about their daily lives without fear of violence and intimidation.

 

Turning to the Gaza Strip, it is positive that Israel has increased the number of work-related permits from 15,000 to 16,000 per day, but we note that this leaves the vast majority of people in the Gaza strip ineligible to apply for Israeli exit permits.

 

President,

 

Reconciliation between the Palestinian factions is critical. The recent signing of the ‘Algeria Declaration’ is a positive step. We call on the Palestinian Authority to follow through with inclusive elections, which are vital for democratic renewal and legitimacy. We also call on the Israeli authorities to uphold their obligation to facilitate, in full, a democratic process, including in East Jerusalem.

 

President,

 

Ireland condemns the killing of two Israeli soldiers at checkpoints in Nablus and East Jerusalem earlier this month and the stabling of two Israeli citizens earlier this week. We especially deplore attacks against any innocent civilians, in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territory.

 

Ireland calls for accountability in respect of all civilian deaths, and in particular, an independent investigation into the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

 

Ireland remains committed to a two state solution as the only sustainable prospect that will enable Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace. In this context, Ireland highlights the need for the preservation of the status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, and acknowledges the custodial role played by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in this regard.

 

 In addition, a just and lasting solution must be found for Palestine refugees across the region. Ireland and the EU continue to support the vital work of UNRWA, which is essential to stability across the region. 

 

President,

 

In conclusion, I thank the Special Coordinator for his update on the wider region.  Ireland welcomes the announcement that the Governments of Lebanon and Israel have agreed to settle their maritime boundary dispute, and commends the role played by the US and France. 

 

As a long-standing troop contributor to UNIFIL, Ireland believes this development can contribute positively to stability and prosperity for the Lebanese and Israeli peoples. It demonstrates that resolution of difficult issues is possible. Ireland hopes that this progress will also encourage formation of a government in Lebanon and the election of a new President.

 

 

Thank you

1.     Thank you, President, and thank you Tor for your briefing. Let me assure you of Ireland’s strong support for your work and stress the importance of the continued facilitation by all parties of your efforts. 

 

2.     As you have outlined, Tor, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains extremely grave.

 

3.     Today I want to focus on three issues:

·      the need for de-escalation and protection of civilians

·      the need to halt Israeli settlements and settler violence

·      the need for accountability.

 

4.     Tor, as you have said, this year is on course to be the deadliest year for Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory since OCHA began documenting in 2005.  The impact on children is particularly disturbing.

 

5.     The security situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has deteriorated sharply. We are concerned that confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians often arise in response to attacks by settlers or incursions into Palestinian villages by the Israeli security forces. 

 

6.     In some recent instances, reports suggest that those killed did not appear to pose a concrete or imminent threat to justify the use of lethal force. This raises serious concerns about excessive use of force. 

 

7.     We are troubled by movement restrictions imposed by Israeli security forces.  While these restrictions have largely been lifted in Shu’fat refugee camp, and, more recently, in Nablus, in both cases they remained in place for long periods of time.

 

 

 

 

8.      These restrictions severely and adversely affect access by entire populations to basic services, such as healthcare, education, food supplies and waste collection – 200,000 people in the case of Nablus.

 

9.     We are also very concerned at the recent entry into force of new rules governing entry procedures for foreigners into the West Bank, which may be incompatible with Israel’s competence as an occupying power under international law.

 

10.President,

 

11.We welcome the Israeli Prime Minister’s support for a two-State solution at the General Assembly last month. We urge the Israeli Government to take concrete action to support that aspiration.

 

12.Israel’s continued support for, and expansion of, settlements undermines the recognised parameters for a two-State solution.

 

13.Ireland reiterates its call on Israel to cease all settlement activities. They are illegal under international law and flagrantly violate Resolutions of this Council.

 

 

14.We are particularly concerned by the sharp increase in coordinated and armed settler violence in parts of the West Bank, especially in the town of Huwwara and parts of Nablus.

 

15.As the olive harvest gets underway, Ireland calls on the Israeli authorities to act urgently to ensure that Palestinians living and farming in the occupied West Bank are able to go about their daily lives without fear of violence and intimidation.

 

16.Turning to the Gaza Strip, it is positive that Israel has increased the number of work-related permits from 15,000 to 16,000 per day, but we note that this leaves the vast majority of people in the Gaza strip ineligible to apply for Israeli exit permits.

 

17.President,

 

18.Reconciliation between the Palestinian factions is critical. The recent signing of the ‘Algeria Declaration’ is a positive step. We call on the Palestinian Authority to follow through with inclusive elections, which are vital for democratic renewal and legitimacy. We also call on the Israeli authorities to uphold their obligation to facilitate, in full, a democratic process, including in East Jerusalem.

 

19.President,

 

20.Ireland condemns the killing of two Israeli soldiers at checkpoints in Nablus and East Jerusalem earlier this month and the stabling of two Israeli citizens earlier this week. We especially deplore attacks against any innocent civilians, in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territory.

 

21.Ireland calls for accountability in respect of all civilian deaths, and in particular, an independent investigation into the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

 

22.Ireland remains committed to a two state solution as the only sustainable prospect that will enable Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace. In this context, Ireland highlights the need for the preservation of the status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, and acknowledges the custodial role played by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in this regard.

 

23. In addition, a just and lasting solution must be found for Palestine refugees across the region. Ireland and the EU continue to support the vital work of UNRWA, which is essential to stability across the region. 

 

24.President,

 

25.In conclusion, I thank the Special Coordinator for his update on the wider region.  Ireland welcomes the announcement that the Governments of Lebanon and Israel have agreed to settle their maritime boundary dispute, and commends the role played by the US and France. 

 

26.As a long-standing troop contributor to UNIFIL, Ireland believes this development can contribute positively to stability and prosperity for the Lebanese and Israeli peoples. It demonstrates that resolution of difficult issues is possible. Ireland hopes that this progress will also encourage formation of a government in Lebanon and the election of a new President.

 

27.Thank you

 

 

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