MIDDLE EAST & ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL (UNTV)

MaximsNewsNetwork: MIDDLE EAST & ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL (UNTV)

MaximsNewsNetwork: 27 January 2010 - United Nations New York - The United Nations Security Council today voiced concern over impasse in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Addressing the Security Council, United Nations (UN) Political Affairs official Oscar Fernandez-Taranco reiterated the Secretary-Generals concern about the Israeli settlements.

He noted that the construction of some 692 new housing units in three existing settlements was announced at the end of December, and plans to house 24 settler families in the Mount of Olives and to build 50 new settler housing units in Shaufat both Palestinian neighbourhoods were made public earlier this month.

We urge the Israeli Government not to finalize approvals of these plans, he said. Taranco stressed that the international community does not recognize Israels annexation of East Jerusalem, and the status of the city remains a final issue for negotiations through which a way must be found for Jerusalem to emerge as the capital of two States. Taranco also reiterated repeated calls by the UN to end the blockade of Gaza.

Palestines observer to the UN Ambassador Riyad H. Mansour accused Israel of artificially creating an overwhelmingly Jewish majority and further entrenching, this de facto annexation of the city.

Israels Ambassador Gabriela Shalev underlined Israels, unprecedented policy of restraint throughout the settlements of the West Bank saying that it was, the latest demonstration that Israel is prepared to take difficult steps for peace and rhetorically asked the Permanent Observer to explain the reasons why the Palestinian Authority that he represents refrains from accepting Israels outstretched hand to negotiate a historic peace.

US Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff told the Security Council that the status of Jerusalem and all other permanent status issues should be resolved only through negotiations.

He also expressed disapproval for some Israeli actions in Jerusalem affecting Palestinians in areas such as housing, including the continuing pattern of evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes. Neither party should take actions that could unilaterally preempt, or appear preempt, negotiations.

The Security Council was also informed about the satisfactory conclusion of the agreement by the Israeli government to make a payment of US$10.5 million to the United Nations for damage to the worlds bodys properties in Gaza during last years Israeli offensive against Hamas.
During the three-week operation Israeli shells struck the UNs main centre in Gaza City, setting ablaze a warehouse with hundreds of tons of food and medicine, and at least three UN schools run for Palestinian refugee children were also attacked.
The incidents were investigated by the UN Headquarters Board of Inquiry early last year after which Israel and the UN held discussions over compensation.
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