Middle East and the Palestinian Question: Statement During Monthly Briefing and Consultations

Thank you, Mr. President; and I thank you Special Coordinator Wennesland Tor for the briefing on recent developments on the ground, which unfortunately reflect the continuing worrying trend from previous briefings.

The trajectory of events, including the heightened tensions and escalating violence and fatalities of both Jewish and Palestinian civilians including children is concerning.

In particular, the deteriorating security situation in Nablus, Jenin and the West Bank in general, and Jerusalem is alarming.

Kenya strongly condemns the 23rd of November two-bomb terrorist attacks in Jerusalem. Such acts, including the rocket launches from Gaza early this month further reinforce that the pursuit of armed and militia groups including Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and their affiliates fall way outside the path and principles of peace.

We reiterate no cause can justify the deliberate targeting of civilians. All effort must be geared to ensuring that these acts of terror come to a stop.

Reports including those from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are clear that beyond security concerns, the current situation continues to have implications on the economy and humanitarian aid assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem.

As such, it is critical that the evolving situation be urgently addressed including the underlying issues fueling the instability, before it reverberates to other areas.

Kenya calls for enhanced analysis and contextualised Reports to emanate from the good offices of the Secretary-General to enable a better appreciation of the implications of these incidents in the maintenance of peace and security in the region in the immediate and long-term.

This would assist the Council to formulate a concrete and practical political pathway to end this protracted conflict.

As we look to commemorate the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, this Council needs to urgently work on the needed building blocks to actualise the long-held goal- of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace, and within secure and recognised borders based on the 1967 lines.

This objective of a Two-State solution will require of both parties: a meaningful commitment to the peace process in alignment with international law, the UN Charter, this Council's resolutions, and regional peace initiatives and frameworks. This objective of a Two-State solution also calls for a willingness to compromise; a step-by-step approach that ensures real gains for both Israelis and Palestinians; and a commitment to confidence-building measures that create space to tackle the harder final status issues.

Despite years of an elusive peace process; despite years of on-again, off-again negotiation efforts; and, despite real and formidable obstacles; my delegation believes that there is still a chance to make real progress.

My delegation has regularly taken note of and welcomed the efforts to lower tensions, end provocations, and restore calm at the grassroots, official and regional levels.

These efforts must be reinforced by the cessation of Israeli settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem as demanded by the comprehensive pillars of resolution 2334 and the provisions of resolution 1860.

The mediation efforts of the neighboring countries will remain critical. The Council should remain seized on the implementation of the 13th of October 2022 Algiers Declaration signed by fourteen Palestinian factions (including Fatah and Hamas) and support its translation into actual reconciliation that paves the way for elections to establish a national unity government.

As I conclude, Kenya once again urges both parties to avoid unilateral steps that stand in the way of a resumption of a political process as well as peace and stability of the region.

Thank you.