24 December 2014 – Gaza Killing and New Settlement Announcement

Excellency,

I regret to inform you of the continuing turmoil and deterioration of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, due to illegal and provocative policies that continue to be pursued by Israel, the occupying Power. These illegal policies continue to negatively impact the situation on the ground, to cause suffering and hardship for the Palestinian people, in particular in the Gaza Strip, and threaten to re-ignite another cycle of violence which must be avoided at all costs.

In this regard, I wish to bring to your attention, yet again, the deteriorating and critical situation in the Gaza Strip where the more than 1.8 million Palestinians living there continue to live under an oppressive, unlawful blockade and are still reeling from the effects of the massive human devastation and physical destruction caused by the criminal Israeli military aggression against Gaza this past summer. In addition to this, they are now bearing witness to recent Israeli military attacks, against the Gaza Strip in grave violation of the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. [Read more…]

19 December 2014 – Deteriorating Situation in Palestine- International Responsibility

Excellency,

As the situation in Occupied Palestine, including in East Jerusalem, continues to deteriorate and tensions continue to dangerously rise as a result of the illegal actions and provocations being perpetrated by Israel, the occupying Power, and its extremists settlers against the defenseless Palestinian people, the Palestinian leadership continues to appeal to the international community to uphold its responsibilities to address this grave injustice and to give hope to the Palestinian people that their suffering under this illegitimate, immoral occupation will soon end and that they will soon realize their inalienable human rights, including their right to self-determination and freedom.

We continue in specific our appeals to the Security Council to uphold its responsibilities in this regard and urge that action be taken on the draft resolution currently before the Council, S/2014/916 of 17 December 2014.  The Security Council must act, based on its Charter duty to maintain international peace and security and based on its relevant resolutions, to contribute to diffusing this volatile situation, to salvaging the two-State solution on the basis of the pre-1967 borders and the prospects for peace, and to promoting a credible political horizon for the pursuit of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace agreement that will bring an end to the Israeli occupation since 1967, achieve the independence of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, ensure a just solution for the Palestine refugee question in accordance with resolution 194 (III), and just solutions to all other core final status issues between the two sides. [Read more…]

10 December 2014 – Murder of Minister Ziad Abu Ein

Excellency,

The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, which constitutes the State of Palestine, regrettably continues to gravely deteriorate due to the oppressive, violent practices, that Israel, the occupying Power, continues to inflict on the Palestinian people in violation of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law.

In this connection, I have been instructed to convey to Your Excellency that at midday today (Palestine time) Israeli occupying forces continued with its practice of excessive use of force and murdered Minister and Head of the Commission against the Wall and colonization, Ziad Abu Ein.  Minister Abu Ein along with approximately 150 peaceful activists had set out to plant olive trees on Palestinian land that is further being threatened by nearby illegal Israeli settlements, near the villages of Al-Mughayer and Turmus Aya in the Ramallah district of the Occupied West Bank. The peaceful protest was timed to mark International Human Rights Day and was attended by many international peace activists, including activists from an Israeli human rights group.  [Read more…]

17 November 2014 – Recent Israeli Brutality against Palestinian Children and Hanging of Palestinian Bus Driver

Excellency,

I regret that I must once again draw the international community’s attention to the critical situation in Occupied Palestine due to the persistent and escalation acts of violence and other violations being perpetrated by Israel, the occupying Power, and its settlers against the Palestinian people and their land, which has resulted in more killings, injuries and destruction in the days since my last letter to you.

The continued lack of accountability and culture of impunity that Israel has for too long enjoyed have resulted in a crisis situation in Palestine, as it could not be more apparent that Israel is reading the international inaction as a signal that it can proceed with its illegal occupation measures without consequence. This result is continued deterioration of the situation, rising tensions, and grave hardships for the Palestinian people languishing under this illegal, destructive occupation.  The volatility of this situation and its negative impact on both peoples and the region has been widely acknowledged, and yet the international community regrettably remains unable to generate the necessary political will to act. [Read more…]

12 November 2014 – Continued Israeli Provocations

Excellency,

Once again, we must draw the international community’s attention to the alarming situation resulting from ongoing illegal Israeli actions and provocations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, which continue to exacerbate the already-dangerous situation. These illegal Israeli actions are clearly intended to entrench the occupation, repress the Palestinian people into submission to this occupation, and to further undermine the Palestinian leadership, including by the continuation of a raging campaign of incitement directed at President Mahmoud Abbas by Israeli Ministers.  All together, these continued violations will only further destabilize the situation, with far-reaching negative consequences for both peoples and for the region.

We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation and rejection of Israel’s escalation of aggressions in Occupied East Jerusalem, in particular in and around Al-Aqsa Compound, which continue to be subjected to incursions and provocations by Israeli extremists, including settlers and government officials. The flagrant disrespect for this Holy Site and for Palestinian worshippers, marked by nearly daily incursions into the Compound as well as the denial of entry of Palestinian worshippers by Israeli occupying forces, along with repeated declarations amounting to blatant incitement must be taken seriously by the international community as they are stoking religious sensitivities and aggravating tensions, with the potential to spiral out of control. [Read more…]

5 November 2014 – Jerusalem: Continued Israeli Provocations and Illegal Settlements

Excellency,

I have been instructed to once again draw your urgent attention to the critical situation and dangerously rising tensions in Occupied East Jerusalem due to the continuation of illegal actions, consisting of provocations and incitement by Israel, the occupying Power, including in particular by right-wing Israeli government officials, extremist settlers and religious zealots, against the Palestinian people, their land and their holy places.  Provocations and incitement have intensified in both frequency and aggressiveness in the recent weeks and continue to aggravate religious sensitivities and the fragile and volatile situation on the ground, threatening to precipitate a religious conflict and to plunge the region into further instability and violence.

For the second time in a week, Israeli occupying forces sealed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, preventing the entry of Palestinian worshippers.  This provocative action set off another round of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli extremists, who continue to agitate at this Holy Site. In what can only be seen as a clear attempt to stoke already-high tensions, early this morning, a group of Israeli extremists, protected by more than 300 Israeli occupying forces, stormed the compound firing stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets at Palestinian worshippers, causing serious injuries to at least 30 people, inflicting serious injuries on two of the worshippers.  Moreover, it was reported that Israeli extremists entered Al-Aqsa mosque with their shoes on in a shameful sign of disrespect and with the purpose to infuriate Palestinian worshippers while eyewitnesses at the scene reported that occupying forces threw books of the Holy Quran on the floor. [Read more…]

30 October 2014 – Closure of Al-Haram Al-Sharif and Killings in East Jerusalem

Excellency,

The Security Council emergency session that was convened yesterday to address the crisis in Occupied East Jerusalem underscored the unanimous international concerns and condemnations regarding the provocations and incitement by Israel, the occupying Power, and its extremist settlers at holy sites in the City, as well as the illegality of Israeli settlement activities and all other measures aimed at altering the demography, character and status of the City.

All were in agreement about the gravity and the many dangers of the continuation of this illegal situation. And, all were in agreement about the urgent need to immediately diffuse tensions and to avert any further aggravation of religious sensitivities by ensuring respect for Holy Sites, with particular focus on Al-Haram Al-Sharif, home to Al-Aqsa Mosque, which continues to be targeted by Israeli provocation and incitement, and the need to uphold the historic status quo in this regard. [Read more…]

27 October 2014 – Israeli Provocations and Settlements Occupied East Jerusalem

Excellency,

I write to urgently draw your attention, yet again, to the dangerously escalating tensions in Occupied East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine.  The illegal policies and the constant provocations and incitement by Israel, the occupying Power, and its settlers and other extremists against the Palestinian people, their land and their holy places are exacerbating already-high tensions, risking further turmoil and destabilization of the extremely fragile situation on the ground, as reflected in the growing number of protests and clashes, particularly in Occupied East Jerusalem.

In grave breach of international law and in total contempt of the repeated international demands for cessation, Israel, the occupying Power, continues its illegal settlement campaign, which is clearly aimed at entrenching its illegitimate control over the Palestinian land it has belligerently occupied since 1967 and systematically destroying the two-State solution. This relentless colonization campaign has been most flagrant in Occupied East Jerusalem, with continued seizure of Palestinian properties, violent attacks on Palestinian civilians, demolition of Palestinian homes, forced displacement of Palestinian residents of the City, and provocative declarations regarding the construction of settlements. [Read more…]

20 October 2014 – Terrorist Settler run over and kill 5 year old Palestinian girl

Excellency,

Pursuant to my letter of 14 October 2014, I am compelled to place on record our absolute condemnation of the criminal, deadly actions being perpetrated by extremist terrorist settlers illegally transferred by Israel, the occupying Power, to the Palestinian land, as well as continued Israeli incitement and provocations against holy sites, in particular in East Jerusalem, in what appear to be a deliberate attempts to exacerbate already-volatile tensions and create further instability.

On a nearly daily basis, Israeli settlers continue with their terror rampages, persisting with attacks on Palestinian civilians, destruction of properties, and theft of land and natural resources.  The latest terrorist crime by a settler occurred yesterday, 20 October 2014, when a setter ran over two young girls who were walking home from school in the West Bank town of Sinjil  in a so-called “hit and run” accident.  Kindergarten student Inas Khalil, age 5, and Nilin Asfour, age 8, had just gotten off the school bus and were walking to their mothers who were waiting for them on the opposite side of the street when an Israeli settler’s car rammed directly at them and sped away.  Inas and Nilin were both rushed to the hospital.   Tragically, 5-year-old Inas was pronounced dead a couple of hours later, while Nilin still remains in critical condition.  We condemn this brutal act of Israeli settler terrorism, and we call on the international community to unequivocally condemn this and all other such attacks and terror against Palestinian children under Israeli occupation. [Read more…]

14 October 2014 – Clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Israeli Violations

Excellency,

I write to alert you to the critical situation and continuously rising tensions in the Occupied State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, as a result of Israel’s relentless illegal policy and oppressive actions against the Palestinian people. On a daily basis, the occupying Power persists with its grave violations of international law, including rampant settlement activities, dispossession of Palestinian civilians, violent military raids, including into schools, daily detention and arrest of Palestinians, constant provocations, including incitement at holy sites and destruction of Palestinian property by extremist Israeli settlers, as well as the illegal blockade on the Gaza Strip.  All of these violations are exacerbating already-volatile conditions and heightening tensions, which threaten to completely destabilize the situation on the ground.

I would first wish to draw your attention to Israel’s incitement and provocations against holy sites in Occupied East Jerusalem, namely at Al-Haram Al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) which houses the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque and Qubbat Al-Sakhra (Dome of the Rock).  In yet another dangerous development, yesterday, 13 October, right-wing Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset and member of the Prime Minister’s party, Moshe Feiglin, protected by hundreds of Israeli occupying forces, yet again entered Al-Aqsa Mosque, leading to violent clashes, with innocent Palestinian worshippers injured by stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets.   It should be noted that Feiglin is a controversial figure whose provocative and racist words and actions against the Palestinian people have been the source of repeated incitement.  He is well-known for his advocacy for Palestinian displacement and hate-filled speeches openly made against Palestinians and Arabs as a whole.

It should be mentioned that this latest provocation comes on the heels of clashes that occurred last week when Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and forcibly removed worshippers, attacking some of them with clubs, and firing tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets.   Some of the stun grenades were fired into Al-Aqsa Mosque itself, causing a fire to break out and causing damage to the holy site.  Moreover, the occupying Power had even locked Palestinian worshipers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing them from leaving.  It is transparent and as was stated by Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), that Israel is attempting to create a new reality at the expense of the Palestinians, their religious rights, sites and historical identity and are violating the sanctity of religious sites without consequence.

We reiterate the dangers of such continuous provocations and incitement in or near Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first qibla and third holiest site in Islam.  Further provocations will only inflame already-high tensions and anger among the Palestinian people and beyond, with dangerous ramifications.  In this regard, we underscore the importance of clear messages of condemnation andrejection of such violations and provocations, such as those made recently by Your Excellency “deeply concerned by repeated provocations at the holy sites in Jerusalem” adding that “these only inflame tensions and must stop.”  It should be also noted that the occupying Power is carrying out the same illegal actions in relation to Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil (Hebron) where worshipers are continuously prevented from praying inside by Israeli occupying forces and settlers.

Accordingly, all such acts of incitement against the holy sites in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as acts of provocation against the Palestinian people by the occupying Power, whether it be by the Government of Israel, its occupying forces or its illegal settlers, warrant serious and immediate attention by the international community, including by the Security Council, in line with its primary Charter duty for the maintenance of international peace and security and in line with its numerous relevant resolutions calling for a cessation of all Israeli measures aimed at altering the character, legal status and demography of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including of East Jerusalem.

In this regard, serious attention must be given to the continuing rampages of terror being perpetrated by Israeli settlers, persisting with attacks on Palestinian civilians, destruction of properties, and theft of land and natural resources.  Yesterday, 13 October, several Palestinians were injured when clashes broke out as more than 300 Israeli settlers, escorted by hundreds of Israeli occupying forces, broke into the holy site of Joseph’s tomb in Nablus to perform religious rituals. One Palestinian was shot and injured and many others were seriously hurt, including a 16-year-old boy. In addition, on 9 October, Israeli settlers uprooted and destroyed dozens of Palestinian olive trees near the village of Hosan, west of Bethlehem. Settler lawlessness and the failure of the Israeli Government to reign them in and hold them accountable for their crimes starkly reflects Israel’s complete disinterest in peace based on the two-State solution.  I also wish to bring to your attention the fact that the occupying Power continues with its inhumane and illegal policy of evicting Palestinian families.  Last week, the occupying Power, served eviction orders to 20 families living in Al-Burj and Al-Ras Al-Ahmar in the northern Jordan Valley.

 At this time, I would like to turn your attention to the humanitarian disaster that still exists in the occupied Gaza Strip following the more than 50-day criminal Israeli military aggression, which wrought massive human devastation and physical destruction in all areas.  In this regard, we welcome the successful convening and conclusion of the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Gaza hosted by Egypt and Norway in Cairo and express our hope that the generous donations pledged will be rapidly disbursed for the urgently needed reconstruction to commence under the supervision of the Palestinian National Consensus Government in collaboration with the United Nations.  We also continue to reiterate our calls for the full lifting of the Israeli blockade for reconstruction and rehabilitation without delay and for the Palestinian people in Gaza to truly begin to rebuild their lives and communities.

 Given the above, we call on the international community, including the Security Council, to give immediate attention to the rising tensions and the critical situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in East Jerusalem.  Serious efforts must be made to demand and ensure Israel’s compliance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and the will of the international community before the situation further deteriorates. To remain silent in the face of such gross violations is unacceptable and will only bolster Israel’s impunity and send the wrong message to the occupying Power that it can continue to flout international law as it wishes without consequence.  The time has to come to bring an end to Israel’s almost five decade old occupation and to all of its crimes against the unprotected Palestinian civilian population and their land.

This letter is in follow-up to our 523 letters regarding the ongoing crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, which constitutes the State of Palestine. These letters, dated from 29 September 2000 (A/55/432-S/2000/921) to 2 October  2014 (A/ES-10/659-S/2014/716) constitute a basic record of the crimes being committed against the Palestinian people, Israel, the occupying Power, must be held accountable and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

I should be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of the present letter distributed as a document of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 5, and of the Security Council.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

 

Dr. Riyad Mansour

Ambassador, Permanent Observer of the  State of Palestine to the United Nations