Khaberni - Jordan has renewed its rejection of Israeli illegal policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including settlements, discriminatory legislations, obstructing aid delivery to Gaza, and withholding Palestinian Authority's clearance funds.
Jordan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Walid Obeidat, during a discussion in the UN Security Council on Palestine, stated that Jordan also condemns violations affecting the historical and legal status of Jerusalem.
Obeidat called for support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803, and implementation of the two-state solution.
The UN Security Council, under the presidency of Bahrain, held a meeting regarding the situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian issue. It heard a briefing from UN official Khaled Khiyari and Peace Council Executive Board member Tony Blair.
Khiyari, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific at the Departments of Political Affairs and Peace Operations, said that the tensions and hostilities that have plagued the Middle East in recent weeks have shifted attention away from the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, where the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is experiencing a "steady deterioration."
He stated that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing violence, and the humanitarian needs on the ground are enormous.
He emphasized the urgent need to proceed with plans, not only concerning humanitarian aid but also for early recovery and reconstruction.
Regarding the situation in the West Bank, the UN official said that "the violence, including rampant settler violence, displacements, and accelerated settlement activity, is threatening entire communities and further eroding prospects for a political process leading to a viable two-state solution."
He reported that between March 14 and April 16, the Israeli authorities advanced plans for constructing 1080 housing units in the West Bank, including 680 units in several settlements located in Area (C) and plans to build 400 units in East Jerusalem.
He mentioned that 21 Palestinians, including 6 children, have been killed by Israeli occupation forces or settlers, and 310 people, including 45 children, have been injured, in addition to one Israeli killed and 11 others injured in attacks by Palestinians, according to Israeli sources.
Khiyari drew attention to the situation in refugee camps in northern West Bank being still concerning. He added that the economic conditions continue to deteriorate across the West Bank.
