UN / PALESTINIAN QUESTION

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland told Security Council that he is “deeply concerned by continued Israeli settlement expansion, particularly into highly sensitive areas, which entrench the Israeli occupation, erode the possibility of a contiguous, independent and viable Palestinian State and further threaten the prospect of achieving a two-State solution.” UNIFEED

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:33
• Production Date: 25 March 2021
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST - UNRWA
• Subject Topical: TWO-STATE SOLUTION
• Geographic Subject: ISRAEL; PALESTINE
• MAMS Id: 2609478
• Parent Id: 2609478
• Alternate Title: unifeed210325b

Description

STORY: UN / PALESTINIAN QUESTION
TRT:2:33
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 25 MARCH 2021, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

RECENT – NEW YORK CITY

1.Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters

25 MARCH 2021, NEW YORK CITY

2.Multiscreen
3.SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
“I am deeply concerned by continued Israeli settlement expansion, particularly into highly sensitive areas, which entrench the Israeli occupation, erode the possibility of a contiguous, independent and viable Palestinian State and further threaten the prospect of achieving a two-State solution. I reiterate that settlements have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law. I urge Israel to cease the advancement of all settlement activity immediately.”
4. Multiscreen
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
“We have witnessed a spike in demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures, which include internationally funded humanitarian projects. I urge Israel to cease demolitions and evictions, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law, and to approve plans that would enable these communities to build legally and address their development needs.”
6.Multiscreen
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
“COVID-19 continues to have a devastating effect on Palestinians. In addition to the brutal impact on public health, the recurrent lockdowns, school closures, and reduction of commercial activity have severely undermined living conditions. In view of these challenges, I commend the Palestinian Government’s efforts to plan and implement its vaccination campaign. UN agencies, in particular WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA and their partners will continue to support vaccination efforts. Israeli facilitation of vaccine deliveries remains essential, and I appreciate this cooperation.”
8.Multiscreen
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
“I remain seriously concerned by UNRWA’s financial situation. UNRWA is not only a lifeline for millions of Palestine refugees, but also critical for regional stability. Collective support of UNRWA and common responsibility for its funding are essential for its sustainability and a critical element for regional stability.”
10. Multiscreen

Storyline

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland told Security Council that he is “deeply concerned by continued Israeli settlement expansion, particularly into highly sensitive areas, which entrench the Israeli occupation, erode the possibility of a contiguous, independent and viable Palestinian State and further threaten the prospect of achieving a two-State solution.”

Speaking at the Security Council via a video link today (25 Mar), the Special Coordinator reiterated, “settlements have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law.”

He urged Israel to “cease the advancement of all settlement activity immediately.”

Wennesland also shared some other broad observations concerning the implementation of the provisions of UN resolution 2334.

He said, “we have witnessed a spike in demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures, which include internationally funded humanitarian projects,” urging Israel to “cease demolitions and evictions, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law, and to approve plans that would enable these communities to build legally and address their development needs.”

The Special Coordinator also stated that COVID-19 continues to have a devastating effect on Palestinians, in addition to the brutal impact on public health, the recurrent lockdowns, school closures, and reduction of commercial activity have severely undermined living conditions.

Wennesland continued, “in view of these challenges, I commend the Palestinian Government’s efforts to plan and implement its vaccination campaign. UN agencies, in particular WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA and their partners will continue to support vaccination efforts.”

He also stated that Israeli facilitation of vaccine deliveries “remains essential”, adding that he appreciates this cooperation.

The Special Coordinator also said that he remains “seriously concerned” by UNRWA’s financial situation.

He explained, “UNRWA is not only a lifeline for millions of Palestine refugees, but also critical for regional stability. Collective support of UNRWA and common responsibility for its funding are essential for its sustainability and a critical element for regional stability.”