Security Council Briefings

Readout of the Secretary-General’s telephone call withH.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."

[ENDS]

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.”

[ENDS]