New York-Sana
The Norwegian United Nations envoy to the Middle East, Tor Wencesland, warned that the Israeli occupation entity's continued construction of new settlement units in the West Bank undermines the chances of establishing a viable and geographically connected Palestinian state.
The United Nations News Center stated that Wencesland, in his virtual briefing to the UN Security Council today, reiterated that all settlements are illegal under international law and still constitute a major obstacle to "peace", stressing the need for all parties to respect and support the status quo in the holy places, calling Occupation authorities to stop house demolitions and evictions.
Wencesland also called on the occupation entity to take all necessary steps to protect Palestinians from violence, especially settlers' attacks, to investigate and hold them accountable, noting that a large number of Palestinians, including children, are still being killed and injured at the hands of the occupation forces.
With regard to the besieged Gaza Strip, Wencesland emphasized that the restrictions imposed on movement and access within the Strip increase what he called “violence”, not to mention that the security dynamics in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are deteriorating, which increases the tension in and around the holy sites.
Wencesland also expressed concern about the ongoing budget shortfalls for UNRWA, which still lacks the funds to continue its vital programs for the rest of the year.
