Khaberni - The United Nations Deputy Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramez El Akbarov, condemned the "continuous Israeli settlement expansion" in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
El Akbarov, in a briefing given to the Security Council via video from occupied Jerusalem, pointed out that the settlement expansion "fuels tensions, impedes Palestinians' access to their lands, and threatens the feasibility of a geographically contiguous and sovereign Palestinian state."
He warned that Israeli settlement expansion this year "has reached the highest levels since the United Nations began monitoring in 2017," and urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law.
He referred to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued in July 2024, which obligates Israel to stop all new settlement activities, evacuate the settlers, "and immediately end its illegal presence on the occupied Palestinian land."
Violence in the West Bank
The UN official stated that Israeli operations in the West Bank have resulted in a large number of Palestinian martyrs and wounded, mass displacement, and widespread destruction, particularly in refugee camps, adding that the continued presence of its forces in the camps "contradicts commitments to end the illegal occupation."
He also condemned settler attacks, which he said have become more "frequent and violent", often occurring with the presence or support of Israeli security forces, especially during the olive harvesting season.
He emphasized the necessity for the Israeli authorities to prevent these attacks, "hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure that farmers can safely access their lands."
He also discussed the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, which was stormed by Israeli forces who replaced the United Nations flag with the Israeli flag, reminding that UN premises "are inviolable and protected from any form of interference."
El Akbarov expressed concern about the long-term financial crisis of the Palestinian Authority and called on the Israeli authorities to "stop unilateral punitive economic measures that threaten peace and stability."
