Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, stressed the need for urgent political progress between Israel and the Palestinians through renewed negotiations in a conducive environment, warning: “without a credible political path forward, accompanied by more far-reaching steps on the ground, the viability of the Palestinian Authority and its state building agenda – and, I fear, of the two-state solution itself – cannot be taken for granted.”
He stressed his on-going efforts and those of the Quartet, “to find a meaningful diplomatic path forward,” recalling that the September 23 Quartet statement “reaffirmed the international legal basis for peace talks” and “continues to provide the framework for a way forward if both parties show flexibility and responsibility.”
He recalled the message from all Quartet members to the parties to, “avoid provocations, develop serious proposals on borders and security, and discuss them directly with each other without delay or preconditions, with active Quartet support.”
But Serry noted “the lack of mutual trust and tensions on the ground” that made resuming negotiations extremely difficult.
The Special Coordinator set out a number of essential steps which need to be taken to de-escalate the situation and facilitate direct talks.
“In addition to acting on its settlement obligations, Israel should heed the calls of the Secretary-General and other international leaders to unfreeze transfers to the Palestinian Authority immediately in accordance with existing agreements,” he said. “Donors should also unblock their funding to the Palestinian Authority.”
He said that the Palestinian Authority “should find ways to contribute to de-escalation of the situation and improving the prevailing divisive climate, including in the international arena.”
Serry noted the importance of VAT and customs revenues belonging to the Palestinian Authority, but withheld by the Israeli government following the vote by UNESCO's General Conference in favor of Palestinian membership.
“If not immediately unblocked, this action threatens the state-building gains made by the Palestinian Authority, including the increased good governance felt by the Palestinian people and the development of the security forces that uphold law and order in the West Bank,” he said.
The Special Coordinator set out the increasingly worrying situation on the ground in the West Bank, noting that “Israel continues to engage in settlement activity, including in highly sensitive areas and demolitions of Palestinian structures are ongoing.”
Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA
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