76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Joint stake-out by the EU Members of the Security Council France and Ireland, joined by the Former EU member of the Council, Estonia
Delivered by Ambassador Sven Jürgenson
January 19, New York
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
I would like to make the following statement on behalf of the two EU Members of the Security Council, France and Ireland, joined by the Former EU member of the Council, Estonia.
We are deeply troubled by the evictions and demolitions which took place in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East-Jerusalem last night. We recall Israel’s obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law. These actions undermine the prospects for peace and risk increasing violence.
We reiterate our calls upon the Government of Israel to halt settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. We are very concerned by the decision of the Jerusalem district planning committee on 17 January 2022 and urge Israel not to proceed, with new outline plans for the construction of hundreds of housing units in Jerusalem, including in the “lower aqueduct plan” between Har Homa and Givat Hamatos, which includes land beyond the Green Line for housing and access roads. The plans will further undermine territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State.
As stated in Security Council resolution 2334, settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between the parties. We reiterate our strong opposition to the expansion of settlements and will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.
We call on both parties to refrain from unilateral actions that increase tensions and undermine the two-state solution and call upon them to build on steps taken in recent months to improve cooperation and restore a political horizon. We urge all parties to refrain in particular from all forms of violence and incitement targeting the civilian population. We will continue to support steps towards renewed negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and sustainable peace.