AHLC and other reports

Readout of the Secretary-General’s telephone call with H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine

The Secretary-General spoke with H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine on 21 April 2022. The Secretary-General and President Abbas discussed the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, and efforts to lower tensions, end provocations and unilateral steps, and restore calm. The Secretary-General reiterated that the status quo at the Holy Sites must be upheld and respected.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the achievement of the two-State solution based on relevant United Nations resolutions, international law, and prior agreements and the importance of restoring a political horizon.

The Secretary-General also expressed his concern about UNRWA’s financial situation and assured of his continued efforts to address the financial situation of the Agency.

New York, 23 April 2022

Readout of the Secretary-General’s telephone call with H.E. Mr. Naftali Bennett, Prime Minister of Israel

The Secretary-General spoke with H.E. Mr. Naftali Bennett, Prime Minister of Israel. The Secretary-General and Prime Minister Bennett discussed the situation in Jerusalem, particularly the tensions around the Holy Sites, and efforts to de-escalate current tensions, end provocations and unilateral steps, and restore calm. The Secretary-General reiterated that the status quo at the Holy Sites must be upheld and respected.

The Secretary-General reaffirmed his commitment to the achievement of the two-State solution based on relevant United Nations resolutions, international law, and prior agreements.

The Secretary-General and Prime Minister Bennett also discussed the upcoming visits of the Secretary-General to the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

New York, 23 April 2022

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Jerusalem

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Jerusalem, particularly the incidents in and around the holy sites.

He is actively engaged with leaders to do all they can to lower tensions, avoid inflammatory actions and rhetoric, and restore calm.

The provocations must stop immediately. The ongoing holy days for Muslims, Jews, and Christians should be a period of peace and reflection, not incitement and violence.

The Secretary-General reiterates that the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem must be upheld and respected.

He is committed to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.

The Secretary-General also reaffirms the need to avoid the excessive use of force and to stop all unilateral measures, like settlements and evictions, that can undermine the two-state solution.

[END]

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

New York, 20 April 2022

Statement by United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,

Mr. Tor Wennesland, on the security situation in Israel and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem

Jerusalem, 19 April 2022

“I am deeply concerned about the trajectory of events over the past couple of weeks in Israel and the occupied West Bank that have resulted in many civilians killed and injured. Particularly worrying are the heightened tensions we have witnessed in Jerusalem in recent days, in the Old City and in and around the Holy Sites during a period of holy days for Muslims, Jews and Christians.

The UN has remained in close contact with all relevant parties to de-escalate the situation. This dialogue has been constructive and I encourage continued engagement between the relevant parties.

At this crucial moment, when tensions remain high and some difficult days still lay ahead, all efforts to lower tensions should be encouraged, while provocations, spreading of misinformation and incitement to violence should be categorically rejected. Leaders on all sides have a responsibility to reduce tensions, create the conditions for calm and ensure the status quo at the Holy Sites is protected."

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Statement by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on the security situation in Jerusalem

Jerusalem, 15 April 2022

“I am deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in Jerusalem during these holy days.

The provocations on the Holy Esplanade must stop now. I call on political, religious and community leaders on all sides to help calm the situation, avoid spreading inflammatory rhetoric and speak up against those seeking to escalate the situation.

Allowing tensions to spiral further only risks another escalation. The UN is in close contact with key regional partners and the parties to calm the situation.

I urge the authorities on both sides to immediately de-escalate the situation and prevent any further provocations by radical actors.”

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Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Jerusalem

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in Jerusalem.

He calls on leaders on all sides to help calm the situation. Provocations on the Holy Esplanade must stop now to prevent further escalation.

He reiterates his call for the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem to be upheld and respected.

The Secretary-General’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process is in close contact with key regional partners and the parties to calm the situation.

The Secretary-General reiterates his commitment to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

New York, 15 April 2022

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29 March 2022, New York

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on recent terrorist attacks in Israel

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General condemns the recent terrorist attacks in Israel, which claimed the lives of at least 11 Israeli citizens. Such acts of violence can never be justified and must be condemned by all.

The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a prompt recovery to those injured.

In the spirit of the upcoming religious holy days, the Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to violence, which only serves to undermine the prospects for peace.

Secretary-General's remarks at the Security Council briefing on the Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States

23 March 2022, New York

Mister President,

Secretary-General Aboul Gheit [of the League of Arab States],

Excellencies,

I welcome this opportunity to address the Security Council on the cooperation with the League of Arab States.

Strengthening our cooperation with regional organizations is a sine qua non for strengthening multilateralism globally.

We need partnership across all levels – from the local to the regional to the global.

The League of Arab States is critical across the spectrum of our work.

When COVID-19 upended societies and economies and threatened new vectors of instability, Secretary-General Aboul Gheit and I appealed to this Council to open space for multilateral efforts, humanitarian action, and diplomatic solutions.

Scanning the region today, these appeals are even more critical.

We remain united in our pursuit of multilateral answers to the cascading challenges facing the Arab world and beyond.

These efforts have an added urgency as we face the profound global ramifications of the war in Ukraine.

Numerous countries, for example, import at least half of their wheat from Ukraine or Russia – including Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Food, fuel and fertilizer prices are skyrocketing. Supply chains are being disrupted. And the costs and delays of transportation of imported goods – when available – are at record levels.

All of this is hitting the poorest the hardest and planting the seeds for political instability and unrest around the globe.

In addition, we are seeing clear evidence of this war draining resources and attention from other trouble-spots in desperate need.

Just last week, I was deeply disappointed that our appeal for Yemen received less than a third of the funds so urgently needed.

I cannot overstate the severity of the suffering of the people of Yemen.

20 million Yemenis need lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection, with women and children in greatest need of support.

I appeal to the generosity of members of the Arab League at this critical time.

And I renew my plea to all countries to find creative ways to finance increased humanitarian and development recovery needs worldwide, to give generously, and to immediately release pledged funds.

Mister President,
In Libya, I welcome the League’s constructive engagement to help preserve the unity and hard-won stability achieved since the signing of the Libyan ceasefire agreement in October 2020.

I count on the League and its membership to continue prioritizing agreement on a comprehensive political process and advance the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2570.

In Sudan, the League of Arab States and the United Nations have been working closely together – both bilaterally and in the context of the Friends of Sudan Group – to encourage meaningful dialogue towards an inclusive and peaceful transition.

In Syria, our two organizations are firmly united in support of the Syrian people, who feel abandoned by the world as they enter the eleventh year of a war that has subjected them to human rights violations on a massive and systematic scale and left the country in ruins.

The only way to break the deadlock and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people is through a credible political process that sees the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2254.

We must keep working to forge a political path to a sustainable peace in which all Syrians are heard, grievances addressed, detainees released, and needs met. There must be no impunity.

In Lebanon, we are grateful to the Arab League and its members for urging the government to address the country’s crisis through meaningful reforms, timely elections, constructive engagement with the IMF, and the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.

In Iraq, we welcome enhanced strategic cooperation between the government and members of the League, which included an observation mission to monitor Iraq’s parliamentary elections last October.

Strengthening regional cooperation and collaboration are also critical in Yemen, where escalating hostilities threaten to further heighten dramatic humanitarian needs and further diminish hopes for peace.

I count on the League of Arab States to support UN-led efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire, defuse tensions, advance an inclusive political process, and provide humanitarian and economic assistance to the Yemeni people. Faced with a catastrophic funding crunch, I urge everyone to do everything they can to prevent hunger and starvation from taking millions of lives.

In Israel-Palestine, the League and the United Nations remain committed to finding a path for the peace process to advance and the occupation to end.

Our shared goal remains two States – Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State – living side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both States.

Political, economic and security conditions across the Occupied Palestinian Territory are deteriorating as Palestinians experience dispossession, violence and insecurity.

At the same time, UNRWA’s existential financial crisis is affecting the rights and wellbeing of Palestine refugees across the region.

I reiterate my call on Member States to increase their financial support to the Palestinian people and their contributions to UNRWA, a vital pillar of regional stability.

Mister President,
Ever closer cooperation with the Arab League is vital to achieving these goals.

From regular meetings with my Special Envoys and staff exchanges, to workshops on mediation and capacity-building exercises on inclusive peacemaking – our relationship is broadening and deepening.

We look forward to strengthening our ties further, including through the United Nations Liaison Office to the League of Arab States, which has opened new communication channels between our organizations at both headquarters and in the field.

We are particularly focused on building stronger partnerships with the League in the areas of Women, Peace, and Security, disarmament, mediation, and peacebuilding.

And we are expanding our cooperation on Youth, Peace, and Security issues in which capacity building and consultations on a regional strategy in the Arab region are increasing.

Looking ahead, we will hold our fifteenth general cooperation meeting in July to advance our biennial framework, and we will work together on a sectoral meeting on climate change.

Mister President, Excellencies,

Today more than ever, we need to come together and stand together in support of multilateral peaceful solutions.

This is why our relationship with the League of Arab States and the strong support from its membership have never been more essential – or more appreciated.

Shukran.

Statement by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,

Tor Wennesland, on the attack in Be’er Sheva

Jerusalem, 22 March 2022

“I strongly condemn the killing of four Israeli civilians, including two women, and several others wounded, in a ramming and stabbing attack that took place this evening by an Israeli Arab in Be’er Sheva.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

There is no justification for violence or terrorism. There is nothing heroic in the killing of civilians and there is no excuse for praising such acts. It must be condemned by all.

I am increasingly alarmed by the continued violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel that is taking place on a daily basis. This is the seventh stabbing attack against Israelis this month.

These tragic incidents only highlight the volatility of the situation and the urgent need for all leaders to work together against the spiral of violence.”

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