Are Prospects of Peace Fading in Middle East?

As a stalemate in the Arab-Israeli peace process continues for both Israel and Palestine, the prospects for regional peace are fading, the United Nations political chief said today.

According to Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, the UN is concerned that it has not yet seen the progress required for sustained negotiations that could lead to a successful results.

At the Security Council meeting on the Middle East, Mr. Feltman said while prospects for peace seem to grow dimmer, the world’s body continues to hope that leaders on both sides will recognize and seize the historic opportunity that is now before them.

He adds that both parties must start seriously working toward the goal of reaching a peace agreement that meets the legitimate aspirations of their people.

Mr. Feltman underlines that the primary path forward to resolving the continuing regional impasse remained the two-state solution.

“It is clear that the two-state solution remains the best available and most realistic option for the Israelis and Palestinians.” -Mr. Feltman

oslo
Yitzhak Rabin, Bill Clinton, and Yasser Arafat during the Oslo Accords on 13 September 1993.

In March this year, the United Nations and its diplomatic partners known as the “Qurtet” urged Israel and Plaestine to resume peace negotiations without delay.

The Quartet also called on both parties to refrain from provocative actions.

The Quartet is the diplomatic grouping bringing together the UN with the European Union, Russia and the United States.

During informal consultations in New York, the Quartet along with Quartet Representative Tony Blair, discussed the grave situation in Gaza and southern Israel.

The group has expressed its serious concern for the recent escalation and called for calm.

Mr. Ban is gravely concerned at the latest escalation between Gaza and Israel, and once again civilians are paying a terrible price.

He said rocket attacks out of Gaza against Israeli civilian areas are unacceptable and must stop immediately.

The Quartet re-affirmed that the current situation in Gaza, including the humanitarian and human rights situation of the civilian population, is unsustainable, unacceptable.

The Quartet has recognized that Israel has legitimate security concerns that must continue to be safeguarded, and believes efforts to maintain security while enabling movement and access for Palestinian people and goods are critical.

The Quartet supports the proximity talks toward the resumption, without pre-conditions, of direct bilateral negotiations that resolve all final status issues as previously agreed by the parties. The Quartet believes these negotiations should lead to a settlement, negotiated between the parties within 24 months, that ends the occupation which began in 1967 and results in the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours

Direct talks between Israel and Palestine stalled in late September 2010 after Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory. That decision prompted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw from direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which had only resumed a few weeks earlier after a two-year hiatus.

Reports say the highest level of violence in Gaza and Israel since Operation Cast Lead took place more than three years ago.

Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas, fired 111 mortar shells and 155 rockets while Israel conducted six incursions and 57 air strikes into Gaza since the last briefing to the Security Council. One Israeli child was killed and two civilians were injured by Palestinian rocket fire. Some 19 Palestinian militants and 15 civilians were killed, while 17 militants and 60 civilians were injured, as a result of Israeli military actions.

Israel captured East Jerusalem along with the West Bank and Gaza in the Six-Day War in 1967, but annexed the city as its united capital in a move not recognized by the international community. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as capital of their future State.

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

The Beginning Of South Africa’s Redemption?

Can a country’s delegation to Samaria redeem South Africa? By...

A Decade After Jeff Bezos Promised Us Delivery Drones, They Are Finally Here

In December 2013, Jeff Bezos unveiled a plan that captured...

Alerting Coachella Organizers To Kneecap Group Antisemitism

To: Coachella Organizers Coachella is an annual music and arts...

Republicans Pass New Law to Stop Liberal Judges’ Adverse Rulings Against Trump’s “Make America Great Again” Agenda

Federal judges issue activist-style injunctions in adverse rulings against the progress of Republicans and President Donald Trump.

Doğma Torpaq – ‘Motherland’, Azerbaijan’s History In Cinematic Epic

For movie goers: an Azerbaijani film production company premiered their new release: Doğma Torpaq, translates from the Azerbaijan language to "Motherland" (Native Land).

Why One Startup Believes Security Resilience Starts with Smarter Configurations

Organizations are expanding their digital infrastructures at an unexpected...

Australia’s Election – What Happens When Major Parties Abandon Fiscal Restraint

Australia’s major parties promise $105B in election spending. Minor parties may push a fragile Labor gov't leftward, harming economy further.

CDC Study Shows Alarming Autism Spike: Kennedy Calls for End to “Epidemic Denial”

RFK Jr. slams autism "epidemic denial" after CDC data shows 1 in 31 U.S. kids affected. He demands urgent real-time tracking and reform.

Related Articles

Popular Categories