Israel and Palestine at the United Nations Stakeout [pictures and video]
Today at the United Nations, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry spoke to the press on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict. Holmes and Serry briefed the Security Council about the on-going peace negotiations, as well as the recent violence between Palestine and Israel. In his report, Mr. Serry stated that Israeli Foreign Minister Livni and Palestinian Lead egotiator Ahmad Querei are meeting on a “continual basis.”
Serry offered the Quartet - the United Nations, the European Union, the Russian Federation, and the United States - full support of the United Nations.
Mr. Holmes, in a statement to the Security Council, was not optimistic about Palestine. He stated that the conditions on the ground were “miserable.” Restrictions on movement of goods and people placed on the Palestinian people after the 2007 Hamas take-over have caused serious economic hardship. Coupled with the recent shut-down of the Palestinian border by Israel has exasperated the situation.
After the briefing by Mr. Holmes and Mr. Serry, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Dan Gillerman explained Israel’s position on the recent border crossings. Gillerman justified the border closings by emphasizing the destruction caused by Palestinian rockets fired into Israel. The Ambassador dismissed questions as to the nature of the missile attacks as state sponsored or the actions individuals. Gillerman characterized the attacks as having no difference.
After Mr. Gillerman spoke, the Palestinian Ambassador Mansour briefly gave a few statements. He condemned Israel for “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people, and added that no significant progress in the peace process has been made since the Annapolis conference two months ago.
Serry at the Security Council stakeout:
Holmes at Security Council stakeout:
- Dan Patterson
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