Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed James W. Rawley of the United States as the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
Reports say Mr. Rawley will also serve as the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory.
Mr. Rawley succeeds Maxwell Gaylard of Australia who completed his assignment on 31st August. Reports say Mr. Ban is grateful for the service provided by Mr. Gaylard.
Mr. Rawley has 30 years experience in humanitarian and development with UN. He is experienced in areas particularly crisis prevention perspective acquired in a number of complex situations.
The past work experience of Mr. Rawley includes service with the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
The Security Council has said while prospects for Middle East peace peace seem to grow dimmer, the world’s body continues to hope that leaders on Israel and Palestine will recognize and seize the historic opportunity that is now before them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been stalled since late September last year following Israel’s refusal to extend a 10-month freeze on settlement activity. That decision prompted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw from direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
