NEW YORK, December 21, 2011 (WAFA) – The quest for Palestinian-Israeli peace remains elusive amid deep mistrust and volatile regional dynamics, said a senior United Nations official on Tuesday, according to a press release by UNISPAL.
Delivering the year’s last scheduled Security Council briefing on the Middle East situation, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, said that “credible progress in the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians is more urgent than ever, but remains elusive in a context of tensions on the ground, deep mistrust between the parties, and volatile regional dynamics.”
Fernandez-Taranco reiterated that those negative dynamics must not be allowed to prevail, with the UN worrying that as the year draws to a close, the situation on the ground is deteriorating and the path towards peace remains dangerously uncertain.
He urged Palestinians and Israelis to use the opportunity provided by the Quartet-approved framework to de-escalate the situation, return to direct talks with serious proposals on borders and security, and stop provocations.
“The realization of a two-state solution has not advanced, and that has eroded hopes while underscoring the urgent need for both sides to engage, without further delay, in serious substantive negotiations to resolve all permanent status issues,” added Fernandez-Taranco.
He noted that the Quartet envoys and representatives to both parties called for creating an environment conducive to restarting talks and urged both sides to refrain from provocative actions, adding, “De-escalation is necessary to facilitate the resumption of direct meaningful engagement between both sides.”
However, he described both parties’ signals of a willingness to think constructively about reciprocal actions that might help reduce tensions as “encouraging.”
Fernandez-Taranco also reported on a series of developments causing continuing concern, including Israel’s announcement of plans to build several new settlements, including in the West Bank, and the advancement of construction permits in East Jerusalem.
In addition, the Assistant Secretary-General reported to the Security Council on a series of meetings that were held in Cairo among the Palestinian factions in an effort to advance Palestinian reconciliation.
R.Q./F.J.
