UN fears 'catastrophic consequence' in fight between Israelis, Palestinians

The United Nations on Friday blamed increasing tensions at holy sites in Jerusalem for the recent upsurge in deadly violence and warned of a possible religious fight that could have "catastrophic consequence" on both Israelis and Palestinians.

"I call on all sides to respect the sanctity of all holy sites and reject the extremist elements that are pursuing a political agenda seeking to transform the current situation from a national to a religious struggle," UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Taye-Brook Zerihoun told an emergency session of the Security Council requested by Jordan. "If they (extremists) are successful in their efforts it could have catastrophic consequence for Palestinians and Israelis alike."

Zerihoun recited a long list of attacks by Israelis and Palestinians on each other in recent days.

As of (Thursday), a total of seven Israelis and 32 Palestinians ... were killed, some 124 Israelis -- including ISF (Israeli Security Forces) personnel -- and more than 1,118 Palestinians were reportedly injured since Oct. 1, according to Zerihoun.

"Tensions at the holy sites in Jerusalem were the main instigator," Zerihoun said. "Reckless statements made by Palestinian and Israeli extremist elements, reinforced by some mainstream voices as well, have instigated that Israel is aiming to change the status quo at the holy sites."

"This fear has reverberated widely across the Muslim world," he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "repeated assurances that Israel has no intention of changing the historic status quo at the holy sites have been welcome. But perceptions will only change when concrete actions, based on the agreements between Israel and Jordan, follow these words."

While describing the Israeli security services' apparent heavy-handed approach as a second factor feeding the escalation, the assistant secretary-general believed "wide dissemination of video footage of several incidents fueled more attacks and has raised serious questions as to the appropriate level of force used by the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and police."

"I call on community, religious and political leaders on all sides to calm the language they use ... and to work together to de-escalate the situation," he said.

Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine, told the 15-nation council that "We come to you today, asking you to urgently intervene against this aggression against our defenseless Palestinian people and against our shrines which are subjected to violations by the Israeli military occupation, the Israeli settlers and by extremists."

David Roet, the deputy permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations, said, "Men, women and children are being stabbed to death on the streets (in Israel) on a daily basis. Yet for them there has been no demand for an emergency session at the Security Council; no calls for the Palestinian leadership to stop their incitement."

After listing several attacks he said, "We face an enemy who is willing to die in order to kill. These people, who kill innocent civilians in cold blood abide by no rule and have abandoned even the most basic morality. Israel is taking every necessary means to defend its citizens and is responding proportionately to these attacks."

Ambassador Liu Jieyi of China said "The conflict between Palestine and Israel has further escalated, causing worsening security situation in East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza. China is deeply worried about this development. We are concerned about the military crackdowns by Israeli forces which resulted in Palestinian civilian casualties, including women and children."

"The excessive use of force to cause casualties of innocent civilians is unacceptable. Violence for violence doesn't help resolve issues, instead it will only erode mutual trust, exacerbate conflict and confrontation," Liu said. "China urges both Palestine and Israel to heed the cause of the international community, exercise maximum restraint and take practical measures to avoid the further escalation of the conflict."

Achieving the peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel is the right direction towards resolving the Palestine-Israel question, said the Chinese diplomat. "Peace talks is the only path forward, we hope that the Israeli government will take the lead in taking actions and display good faith."

Ambassador François Delattre of France said the violence is "prompting fears of a third intifada" and renewed calls to re-launch the peace process.

"We cannot allow the two-state solution to fall apart day after day," Delattre said. "This is all the more crucial given that there's a risk that Daesh (ISIL) might one day take up the Palestinian cause, with the consequences we can imagine."

While urging the Security Council to respond to the current escalation, the Paris envoy said France was circulating a draft statement to members of the council "to appeal for calm, restraint on the part of all parties, as well as for maintaining the status quo on the Esplanade of the Mosques."

"We must then work toward providing a concrete political horizon," he said. "The goal is not to manage the crisis but to find a lasting solution to it. In this respect, the establishment of an international support group is extremely relevant."

"Such a format for consultations would make it possible to work on confidence-building measures with the immediate goal of easing tensions, collective support for Palestinian reconciliation under the authority of President Mahmoud Abbas; the drawing up of guarantees and compensation that each party will need in order to sign the agreement," Delattre said, who urged the Security Council to play its full role in supporting these efforts.

Another meeting on the Middle East focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian situation is scheduled for next Thursday and has been put at the ministerial level.

Source: XINHUA