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UN / MIDDLE EAST
STORY: UN / MIDDLE EAST
TRT: 03:30
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 25 JANUARY 2018, NEW YORK CITY
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, UNHQ exterior
25 JANUARY 2018, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Nikolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
“Twenty-five years after the Oslo Accords, we are at a critical point in the peace process. The uncertainty and volatility of the current environment is hardening positions and sharpening the rhetoric on all sides, a situation that plays directly into the hands of extremists and increases the risk of another conflict.”
4. Med shot, US and Israeli ambassadors
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Nikolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
“While the recent US pledge of USD 60 million is appreciated, it represents a significant reduction of its traditional contribution, increasing anxieties for the community of 5.3 million Palestine refugees who have already suffered the longest protracted refugee crisis in the world, seventy years.”
6. Med shot, ambassadors of Cote D’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations:
“It is a position of respect for the legitimate national aspirations of our people, who have been so patient and steadfast in spite of the grave injustice they continue to endure. It is a position of respect for the human rights and dignity of our people, which we cannot allow to be denied. No price tag can be put on the rights and dignity of any people. They cannot be quashed by threats, intimidation or punitive action, and such attempts must be rejected by all who seek peace and justice and who truly believe in international law as the path for their realization.”
8. Wide shot, Mansour addressing Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations:
“Exploiting the current circumstances and the anger and resentment they have caused, they are again attempting to distract the international community and evade responsibility for the political deadlock and deplorable situation on the ground by making such false, shameful claims about the Palestinian side. We have seen this demonization before; it is repugnant and we firmly reject it.”
10. Med shot, Israeli ambassador
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Nikki Haley, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations:
“In his speech, President Abbas declared the landmark Oslo Peace Accords dead. He rejected any American role in peace talks. He insulted the American President. He called for suspending recognition of Israel. He invoked an ugly and fictional past, reaching back to the 17th century to paint Israel as a colonialist project engineered by European powers.”
12. Med shot, Russian and Swedish ambassadors
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Nikki Haley, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations:
“A speech that indulges in outrageous and discredited conspiracy theories is not the speech of a person with the courage and the will to seek peace.”
14. Wide shot, Security Council
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations:
“The Shia crescent stretches far beyond Israel. It is larger and more powerful than ever and it is aiming for the entire world. The entire international community should be concerned about Iran; because even though Iran starts with Israel, it is you who are next.”
16. Wide shot, Security Council
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nikolay Mladenov told the Security Council that the “uncertainty and volatility of the current environment is hardening positions and sharpening the rhetoric on all sides, a situation that plays directly into the hands of extremists and increases the risk of another conflict.”
Addressing the Council via teleconference from Jerusalem today (25 Jan), Mladenov said the world has fallen into the paradigm of managing rather than resolving the conflict. He said now was not the time to give up on the Oslo Accords, despite not being fully fulfilled 25 years after its signing. He added that the alternative is not a better deal, but a worsening reality of occupation and humiliation.
The Special Coordinator said paralysis in peace efforts has elicited a heavy price, including continued violence and insecurity; an ever-expanding settlement enterprise; a persistent Palestinian political divide; and a deteriorating, unsustainable situation in Gaza under the control of Hamas. He stressed that these elements taken together kill hope, breed frustration, and increase radicalization on the ground.
Mladenov also expressed concern over funding for UNRWA. He said, “While the recent US pledge of USD 60 million is appreciated, it represents a significant reduction of its traditional contribution, increasing anxieties for the community of 5.3 million Palestine refugees who have already suffered the longest protracted refugee crisis in the world, seventy years.”
Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour reaffirmed his country’s position rejecting the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize the city as the capital of Israel. He said this position was not intended as disrespect rather it is rooted in full respect for the law, for the principles of justice and equity.
SOUNDBITE (English) Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations:
“It is a position of respect for the legitimate national aspirations of our people, who have been so patient and steadfast in spite of the grave injustice they continue to endure. It is a position of respect for the human rights and dignity of our people, which we cannot allow to be denied. No price tag can be put on the rights and dignity of any people. They cannot be quashed by threats, intimidation or punitive action, and such attempts must be rejected by all who seek peace and justice and who truly believe in international law as the path for their realization.”
Mansour stressed that, although it is unacceptable that Palestinians who are occupied and dispossessed are being demanded to repeatedly prove their worthiness to be granted inalienable human rights, they have consistently demonstrated their good faith and commitment to peace. He said it was appalling to hear claims by Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister, that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not a man of peace.
SOUNDBITE (English) Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations:
“Exploiting the current circumstances and the anger and resentment they have caused, they are again attempting to distract the international community and evade responsibility for the political deadlock and deplorable situation on the ground by making such false, shameful claims about the Palestinian side. We have seen this demonization before; it is repugnant and we firmly reject it.”
Mansour said the world is witnessing the dehumanization of the Palestinian people. He said the Palestinian stance is not for posturing rather it is about people’s lives and their very existence.
United States ambassador Nikki Haley said the Council, during its monthly meetings on the Middle East, spends far too much time on Israel and the Palestinians and far too little time on the terrorist regimes and groups that undermine peace and security in the region. She said the single most critical element to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians is leaders who have the will to do what is needed to achieve peace.
Haley said 11 days ago, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas “declared the landmark Oslo Peace Accords dead.” She added, “He rejected any American role in peace talks; he insulted the American President; he called for suspending recognition of Israel; he invoked an ugly and fictional past, reaching back to the 17th century to paint Israel as a colonialist project engineered by European powers.” Haley stressed that a speech that “indulges in outrageous and discredited conspiracy theories is not the speech of a person with the courage and the will to seek peace.”
The US ambassador said her Government remained deeply committed to helping the Israelis and the Palestinians reach a historic peace agreement but would not chase after a Palestinian leadership that lacks what is needed to achieve peace.
Israeli ambassador Danny Danon warned of an Iranian build-up in the region. He revealed what he said was classified information that there are 82,000 fighters under Iranian command in Syria. He said Iran was also building missile factories in Syria while turning the entire country into the world’s largest military base. He added that Iran is destabilizing the country to maintain control over it in order to destabilize the entire region. Danon said the “Shia crescent” was at Israel’s doorsteps and Iran was ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
SOUNDBITE (English) Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations:
“The Shia crescent stretches far beyond Israel. It is larger and more powerful than ever and it is aiming for the entire world. The entire international community should be concerned about Iran; because even though Iran starts with Israel, it is you who are next.”
Danon stressed that Israel would defend itself against any threats and would take any necessary actions to secure its borders and protect its citizens.
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