Palestine/Israel: “Fighting must stop. It must stop immediately.” - UN Security Council Open Debate

Tune in LIVE for UN Security Council Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Followed by media stakeouts.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday (16 May) told the Security Council that current hostilities in Gaza and Israel are “utterly appalling,” adding, “Fighting must stop. It must stop immediately.”

Opening a virtual debate on the current situation in the Middle East, the UN chief appealed to all parties to heed his call. He said the United Nations was “actively engaging” all sides towards an immediate ceasefire.

Guterres said, “This senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The status quo at the holy sites must be upheld and respected.”
He reiterated that the United Nations remained “deeply committed” to working with Israelis and Palestinians and with our international and regional partners, including the Middle East Quartet, to realize a lasting and just peace.

Guterres added, “We are in contact with many relevant interlocuters and I again call on the parties to allow mediation efforts to intensify and succeed. The only way forward is to return to negotiations with the goal of a two-States solution, with two States living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, based on relevant UN resolutions, international law and prior agreements.”

The Secretary-General noted that “the longer this cycle of violence continues, the more challenging it will be to reach that ultimate goal. Only a negotiated sustainable political solution will end, once and for all, these devastating cycles of violence and lead to a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”

Also speaking to the Council, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland said, “The United Nations is working tirelessly with all sides to restore calm. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s urgent call on Israel and Palestinian armed groups to take immediate and decisive steps to de-escalate the situation and prevent any further loss of life. Israelis and Palestinians have a legitimate right to safety and security. The violence we are witnessing now is unacceptable and unjustifiable.”

He added, “These cycles of violence will only stop with a political resolution of the conflict, including addressing the status of Jerusalem and other final status issues, with an end to the occupation, and the realization of a two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 lines, UN resolutions, international law and mutual agreements, with Jerusalem as capital of both Israel and Palestine.”

Wennesland reiterated his call to the members of the Middle East Quartet, key Arab and international partners, as well as to Israeli and Palestinian leadership, “to strengthen efforts to return to meaningful negotiations towards a viable two-State solution.”

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riad Al Malki, told the Council, “The international consensus you have all helped shape and defend is being destroyed in front of our very eyes. The alternative that Israel chooses is Apartheid. Yes Apartheid.”
He added, “one day soon, even this Council, will not be able to deny this reality. Act now to end the aggression and assault on our people, our homes, our land. Act now for freedom to prevail not Apartheid.”

Al Malki also said, “Our people will never surrender of forego their rights. Palestinian freedom is the only path to peace. Since peace is the responsibility of this Council. Your Council. Helping to achieve Palestinian freedom is its legal and moral duty.”

For his part, Israeli ambassador Gilad Erdan, told Council members, “You can unequivocally condemn Hamas’ indiscriminate and unprovoked attacks which threatens Israelis and Palestinians alike. You can choose to support Israel’s heroic efforts to defend itself and dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure of terror while doing everything to minimize the number of casualties on both sides.”

He also said, “You can choose to support a more peaceful future by demanding the demilitarization of the Gaza strip and insisting on an authority in Gaza that invest in the wellbeing of the people of Gaza rather than in the destruction of the State of Israel.”

Closing his remarks, Erdan said “Israel has already made its choice. We will take all steps necessary to defend our people. Now the choice is yours. The world is watching.”

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