UN official: Solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict further away than ever

Reaching a political solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict “seems more distant than ever”, the Anadolu Agency reported a senior UN official as saying.

During the regular meeting of the UN Security Council, Assistant UN Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča said: “Leaders on both sides cannot continue to ignore the underlying causes perpetuating violence and fueling extremism on all sides.”

“It is for them [Palestinian and Israeli leaders] to choose whether they will show leadership in building sustainable peace and security, or will allow the future of their people to drift in uncertainty as radicalism and extremism take over.”

In this regard, he expressed his concerns over the continuation of violence and bloodshed in the Palestinian territories, reiterating the importance of bringing extremist Israeli settlers to court.

“Perceived impunity for settler violence against Palestinians has also driven violence,” he said.

He added: “Positively, four months after the Dawabsheh family was brutally murdered, a number of arrests have been made. I take this opportunity to underscore the need to charge and swiftly bring the perpetrators of this terrible crime to justice.”

“At the same time grave concerns persist on a range of issues that continue to undermine prospects for ending violence and rebuilding trust.”

“The injustices associated with an occupation which shows no prospect of ending feed into a perspective – particularly among the youth – that they have nothing to lose by sacrificing their lives.”

He highlighted the sever suffering afflicted on the Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories. “Palestinians continue to endure extensive movement restrictions, intensified by the ongoing violence, which negatively impact access to basic services and livelihoods,” he explained.

Furthermore, he criticised the Israeli policy of demolishing Palestinian houses and the razing of Palestinian farms and villages.

“Ongoing demolitions against Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley, such as in Al-Hadidiya Village a few days ago, remain troubling,” he said, “all the more so as the relief provided to these households has been repeatedly seized by the Israeli security forces despite the onset of winter.”

“Israeli authorities have also carried out two punitive demolitions against families of those convicted or accused of attacks. Such acts are a clear violation of international law, aggravate an already tense environment and may be counterproductive.”