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STORY: UN / FELTMAN MIDDLE EAST
TRT: 2.32
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 18 MARCH 2014, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
RECENT – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior UN building
18 MARCH 2014, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, delegations
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs:
“The Middle East still faces an unpredictable future with multiple sources of uncertainty. What is certain though is that the Arab-Israeli conflict cannot be ignored in shaping this future constructively. The Secretary-General remains convinced that a solution of the Palestinian-Israeli issue, in the form of a negotiated two-state solution, is the best contribution we can make at this time to regional stability.”
5. Wide shot, Security Council
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs:
“Eight months since the resumption of talks between Israelis and
Palestinians, US-led efforts to present a basis for continued negotiations are ongoing. We are yet again approaching some decisive timelines. Leaders on both sides are confronted with difficult decisions. Public support for peace among Israelis and among Palestinians, both in the West Bank and Gaza, will be tested.”
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs:
“A dangerous escalation of violence took place between 11 and 13 March. More than 70 rockets and five mortar shells were indiscriminately fired toward Israel, the majority claimed by Islamic Jihad. Over 50 landed in Israeli, fortunately without resulting in injuries. Israel conducted fifteen airstrikes into Gaza in March, resulting in the death of five militants reportedly affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and injuries to five Palestinian civilians.”
9. Med shot, delegations
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs:
“The recent escalation in security incidents along Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria is affecting humanitarian access. As the conflict in Syria enters its fourth year, Lebanon struggles with its impact, including the presence of a refugee population from Syria nearing one million in need of protection and assistance. The United Nations is engaging with the newly formed Government to help coordinate the urgent humanitarian needs of refugees, as well as consolidate support for the Government’s national response through its roadmap for stabilization.”
11. Wide shot, Security Council
The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs told the Security Council today (18 Mar) that the latest surge of fighting shows that the fragile status quo between Israelis and Palestinians is not sustainable.
Jeffrey Feltman noted the tensions in the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and stressed that the parties must show utmost restraint, and the sanctity of holy sites of all faiths must be fully respected.
He said “the Middle East still faces an unpredictable future with multiple sources of uncertainty what is certain though is that the Arab-Israeli conflict cannot be ignored in shaping this future constructively. The Secretary-General remains convinced that a solution of the Palestinian-Israeli issue, in the form of a negotiated two-state solution, is the best contribution we can make at this time to regional stability.”
Feltman stressed that “eight months since the resumption of talks between Israelis and Palestinians, US-led efforts to present a basis for continued negotiations are ongoing. We are yet again approaching some decisive timelines.”
He added “leaders on both sides are confronted with difficult decisions. Public support for peace among Israelis and among Palestinians, both in the West Bank and Gaza, will be tested.”
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Feltman noted that the underpinnings of the ceasefire understanding continued to be undermined.
He said “a dangerous escalation of violence took place between 11 and 13 March. More than 70 rockets and five mortar shells were indiscriminately fired toward Israel, the majority claimed by Islamic Jihad”, adding that “over 50 landed in Israeli, fortunately without resulting in injuries. Israel conducted fifteen airstrikes into Gaza in March, resulting in the death of five militants reportedly affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and injuries to five Palestinian civilians.”
Regarding Syria, Feltman underlined that the situation in Golan remains volatile, with heavy clashes between the Syrian armed forces and armed opposition.
On Lebanon and the conflict in Syria, he said “the recent escalation in security incidents along Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria is affecting humanitarian access. As the conflict in Syria enters its fourth year, Lebanon struggles with its impact, including the presence of a refugee population from Syria nearing one million in need of protection and assistance.”
He added “the United Nations is engaging with the newly formed Government to help coordinate the urgent humanitarian needs of refugees, as well as consolidate support for the Government’s national response through its roadmap for stabilization.”
