JERUSALEM, May 25, 2015
(WAFA) – “The coming period will be critical for the future of the peace
process, with concerns growing about the lack of a horizon for the resumption
of negotiations towards a two-state solution,” said the latest report issued by
the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace
Process (UNSCO).
The report will be
presented to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) at the twice annual meeting in
Brussels on May 27, 2015.
The
report warned that maintaining the current untenable status quo will “inexorably
lead to the continued erosion of living conditions for Palestinians and for
Israelis alike and will undermine the security and stability of all.'
The
report noted the call made by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace
Process Nickolay Mladenov during his recent briefing to the Security Council on
both parties 'to expend every effort to build upon existing agreements,
including relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Roadmap and the Arab
Peace Initiative, to gain momentum towards a final status agreement.'
The
report calls on the new Government of Israel to take immediate steps to
reaffirm its commitment to a two-state solution, including a freeze of
settlement activity, as well to promote a resumption of meaningful
negotiations. Continued security cooperation between Palestinian and Israeli
authorities also remains a cornerstone of a peaceful resolution, it says.
The
political and security situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,
continues to deteriorate with heightened levels of violence and renewed
settlement activities, the report states.
Regarding
Area C, under full Israeli control, the report stated that 'the United
Nations continues to support local Palestinian authorities in developing
adequate social infrastructure... but the programme faces challenges due to the
slow pace of Israeli approvals.' It also expresses concerns about recent
moves to relocate Bedouin communities near Abu Nwar in the politically
sensitive E1 area of the West Bank that may be linked to further settlement
construction.
The
report also highlighted the considerable challenge in putting the Government of
Palestine's finances on a stable footing. 'While the recent release of
outstanding tax revenues by Israel is welcome, it is essential that agreement
on a sustainable solution on tax collection in line with the Paris Protocol of
the Oslo Accords is reached,' the report underscored.
Turning
to the Gaza Strip, the report noted that the United Nations objective remains
to see the lifting of all closures within the framework of Security Council
resolution 1860 (2009) in a manner which addresses Israel's legitimate security
concerns. In the absence of such a change, the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism
(GRM) remains the only available option to facilitate the entry of 'dual
use' materials necessary for reconstruction, the report says.
To
date, close to 85,000 of the 100,000 households in need of construction
materials to repair their partially destroyed homes have received materials.
The report also highlights that out of the 168 projects submitted by the
private sector and the international community, 85 projects are approved and
eight are ongoing.
Turning
to the challenges of intra-Palestinian reconciliation and unity, the report
welcomed Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah's efforts towards finding a solution for
public sector employees in Gaza and encourages all factions to support his
initiative.
'The
United Nations also stands ready to work with all stakeholders and support the
Government's efforts. A comprehensive reconciliation must include the GNC
resuming control over the crossings into Israel and Egypt. The responsibility
for addressing these issues lies first and foremost with the Palestinian
authorities,' added the report.
M.N./T.R.
