Tag: Middle East

“The violent trends that dominated the last months of 2022 continue to take a devastating human toll,” said Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. 

Citing rising political tensions and the long-stalled peace process, he said preventing more loss of life must go hand-in-hand with the international community’s ultimate goal – ending the Israeli occupation, resolving the conflict, and realizing a lasting two-State solution.

Deadly clashes

Mr. Wennesland briefed the Council on the heels of one of the deadliest years in the history of the conflict.  

On 19 December, he reported that more than 150 Palestinians and over 20 Israelis had been killed in the West Bank and Israel, up to that point last year.

In his briefing this week, he said that during the latest reporting period – covering 8 December to 13 January – another 14 Palestinians were killed, including a 16-year-old boy shot during an arrest operation in Balata Refugee Camp in Nablus.

An additional 117 Palestinians were injured by Israeli security forces.

According to Israeli sources, five Israeli civilians and four security forces personnel were injured by Palestinians in attacks, clashes, the throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails, and other incidents. 

‘Collision course’

“Israelis and Palestinians remain on a collision course amid escalating political and inflammatory rhetoric, as well as heightened violence in the West Bank — both with potentially grave consequences,” the Special Coordinator warned.

Ongoing Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are also igniting tensions.

On 2 January, the Israeli Government informed the High Court of Justice that it intends to legalize, under Israeli law, the outpost of Homesh – which is built on private Palestinian land. 

Emphasizing that all such settlements are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace, the Special Coordinator told the Council that Israeli demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned property also continued through the reporting period.

Provocative visit

Several other recent developments have caused rising tensions between the parties.

On 3 January, Israel’s new National Security Minister, far-right party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the hilltop compound in Jerusalem’s old city — which is sacred to both Jews and Muslims — reportedly accompanied by a heavy security detail.

Widely seen as a provocative act, the occasion marked the first time since 2017 that an Israeli Minister had visited the site.

That move was sharply condemned by the Palestinian Authority and many States across the region, and led the Security Council to hold its first emergency meeting of 2023.

In addition, on 30 December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution containing a request to the Hague-based International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion relating to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.

Praised by many countries and UN agencies, the text has also been strongly criticized by Israeli officials.

Against these multiple backdrops, Mr. Wennesland called for courageous leadership and strong Council unity, along with urgent efforts to prevent spoilers and extremists from “pour[ing] more fuel on the fire”.

Ambassadors were briefed by Khalid Khiari, a UN Assistant Secretary-General, who expressed concern over the developments and the broader ongoing tensions and violence in the occupied West Bank.

On Monday, Israel’s new National Security Minister, far-right party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the hilltop compound in Jerusalem’s old city that is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.  He was reportedly accompanied by a heavy security detail. 

Visit viewed as ‘inflammatory’ 

This marked the first time since 2017 that an Israeli Minister has visited the site, known by Jews as Temple Mount and by Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, and which is administered by Jordan. 

The Al-Asqa Mosque, located there, has seen previous clashes between Israelis and Palestinians.  

“While the visit was not accompanied or followed by violence, it is seen as particularly inflammatory given Mr. Ben-Gvir’s past advocacy for changes to the status quo,” said Mr. Khiari. 

The move drew sharp condemnation from the Palestinian Authority, and many others from across the region and the international community, who viewed it as provocative. 

‘Deeply fragile’ situation 

“As we have seen numerous times in the past, the situation at Jerusalem’s Holy Sites is deeply fragile, and any incident or tension there can spill over and cause violence throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in Israel, and elsewhere in the region,” he said. 

“With that reality in mind, I reiterate the Secretary General’s call for all parties to refrain from steps that could escalate tensions in and around the Holy Sites, and for all to uphold the status quo, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.” 

Mr. Khiari said the UN has remained in close contact with relevant parties to de-escalate the situation, and this engagement will continue. 

“At this sensitive moment, all efforts to lower tensions should be encouraged, while provocations, inflammatory steps, unilateral actions and threats of violence must be categorically rejected,” he told the Council. 

“Leaders on all sides have a responsibility to lower the flames and create the conditions for calm,” he added. 

Advancing an ‘extremist agenda’: Palestine 

Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour insisted that the Israeli Minister did not go to the holy site just to visit.  

Rather, Mr. Ben-Gvir “is pursuing the same extremist agenda he has pursued all his life – ending the historic status quo,” he said, adding “that is his objective regardless of the consequences. The same agenda he was elected on and joined the Israeli government to advance.” 

Haram Al-Sharif is located in occupied East Jerusalem, which is an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Mr. Mansour told the Council.

“Israel has no claim and no right to sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and therefore no rightful claim over Al-Haram Al-Sharif,” he said. 

Mr. Mansour insisted that there can be no peace without Jerusalem. 

“The future of conflict and peace in our region will be determined in Jerusalem, not any other capital around the world,” he said. “Anybody who says otherwise is either delusional or lying.”  

‘A trivial matter’: Israel 

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan said he was “overjoyed” to learn the Council had convened an emergency session on the Minister’s “quiet, orderly and uneventful visit” to Temple Mount. 

“I figured that if this important body is meeting to discuss such a trivial matter, then we clearly achieved world peace overnight,” he remarked.  “After all, why else would this Council dedicate its time to such a menial occurrence?” 

Mr. Erdan said the visit was in line with the status quo, and those who claim otherwise are only inflaming the situation.  

“Jews are allowed to visit the Temple Mount – every Jew, including the Minister tasked with the security and safety of the Temple Mount,” he stated.  

Rather than protecting the sanctity of the site,  Palestinians have turned it into a battleground, he said. 

“Time and again, the mosques are used as arsenals, where tourists keep rocks and explosives to attack Jewish visitors and security forces”, he added. “The hallowed ground is used as a platform for Palestinian incitement, poisoning the minds of youth and stoking the flames of violence.” 

Ambassadors were briefed by the UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, who stressed the need to give Syrians hope. 

Some 14.6 million people require support – a 1.2 million increase over 2021 – and the number is expected to reach 15.3 million next year.   

“Syrians are facing an ever-deepening humanitarian and economic crisis – inside and outside the country, and in both Government-controlled areas and areas outside Government control, where the situation remains most dire, especially in camps for the displaced,” said Mr. Pedersen. 

A bleak picture 

The UN envoy reported that needs are rising as resources are dwindling. 

Electricity and fuel are scarcer than ever, while many people are unable to access clean water and healthcare.  

Energy shortages have forced the Government to close state agencies for several days at a time, and the Syrian pound has fallen to new record lows.  

Even people who do not need assistance because they receive regular salaries now require support. 

Potential for ‘catastrophic deterioration’ 

“This bleak humanitarian and economic picture is bad enough; add to it the continued armed conflict and the dangers of military escalation, and the potential for catastrophic deterioration is all too real,” Mr. Pedersen warned. 

Although no party has carried out any large-scale military operations, “dangerous dynamics” persist, he said. 

Sporadic pro-Government airstrikes in the northwest have been reported, along with Turkish airstrikes in the north, and strikes in Damascus and the southwest attributed to Israel. 

Furthermore, shelling, rocket fire and intermittent clashes have occurred on contact lines, involving “the full spectrum of actors” in the conflict, while the extremist group ISIL continues attacks against the various sides. 

Six-point agenda 

Mr. Pedersen appealed for the Council to “shift these worrying dynamics”.  He outlined a six-point agenda and urged the Council to back it. 

“I will spare no effort to bring about some movement on this extremely difficult conflict in the year ahead. We must give Syrians hope for the future,” he said. 

His first point called for stepping back from escalation and restoring relative calm on the ground.   

The envoy urged the Council to renew its framework to provide unfettered humanitarian access to all Syrians who require assistance, and by all modalities. 

He also stressed the need to resume the meetings of the Syrian Constitutional Committee and to make them more substantive.   

Detainees and missing persons 

His fourth point centred on detained, disappeared and missing persons, and his ongoing push for releases as well as information. 

“The fifth point is to further the dialogue towards identifying and implementing initial step-for-step confidence building measures,” said Mr. Pedersen, referring to engagement with Syrian stakeholders and international actors. 

“If this were done, I believe it could begin to have a meaningful impact on the lives of ordinary Syrians, shift some of the negative dynamics on the ground, and build some trust and confidence between the parties and in the political process.” 

For his final point, Mr. Pedersen highlighted the importance of engagement with Syrian civil society, including the Women’s Advisory Board. 

Struggling to survive 

Addressing the staggering needs, Mr. Griffiths reported that the vast majority of Syrian families are either struggling or unable to meet their basic needs. 

Twelve million people, over half the population, are finding it hard to put food on the table.  Nearly three million more could face food insecurity. 

The war has displaced millions of Syrians, two million of whom are living in tents, camps and makeshift shelters, even during sub-zero winter temperatures.  

Renew cross-border aid 

The country also saw a resurgence in cholera this year, with more than 60,000 cases and 100 deaths. 

A Security Council resolution that authorizes delivery of cross-border aid into northwest Syria from Türkiye is set to expire in mere weeks.  Mr. Griffiths appealed for continued support. 

“I can’t stress enough the importance of maintaining this lifeline for millions of people in the northwest,” he said.  “Not renewing that resolution jeopardizes the delivery of aid when people need it the most.”