UN Security Council meet on Palestine ends with no concrete outcome
"The current hostilities are utterly appalling. This latest round of violence only perpetuates the cycles of death, destruction, and despair, and pushes farther to the horizon any hopes of coexistence and peace"
The UN Security Council (UNSC) held an open discussion on the tensions between Israel and Palestine in the aftermath of the former's attacks in Gaza, but no clear results were reached.
This week's third session of the UN's top body came after the US made two attempts to block a joint statement condemning Israel's brutality and calling for a cease-fire, reports Anadolu Agency.
China, Norway, and Tunisia requested the virtual conference, which included Israeli and Palestinian officials.
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Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki called Israeli attacks on Palestinian occupied territories "war crimes" and urged the UN Security Council to place sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel.
Calling Israel an "armed thief" Minister Maliki said Israel entered their house and has been terrorising their families.
"It destroys our homes, oppresses our people, generation after generation," said Maliki.
Gilad Erdan, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, blamed Hamas for the violence, accusing the organization of "carrying out its terror attacks."
"We will take all appropriate measures to protect our citizens," Erdan said, urging the Security Council to condemn Hamas.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Palestine to end the conflict's "senseless cycle of violence, terror, and devastation" by returning to talks for a two-state solution.
"The current hostilities are utterly appalling. This latest round of violence only perpetuates the cycles of death, destruction, and despair, and pushes farther to the horizon any hopes of coexistence and peace," said Guterres.
In her speech, US Ambassador to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the call for all parties to ensure the protection of civilians, and to respect international humanitarian law. "The current cycle of violence must end," she said.
"The United States has been working tirelessly through diplomatic channels to try to bring an end to this conflict," she added.
China asks US to adjust its position
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the US to "adjust" its position on Israel-Palestine tensions.
He said because of the obstruction of the US, the Security Council has not been able to speak with one voice on Palestine.
"We call upon the US to shoulder its responsibilities, taking adjust position," said the Chinese top diplomat.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin took the floor, highlighting the necessity of immediately ending the confrontation.
"We believe it is important to urgently hold a meeting of the Middle East quartet of international mediators at the ministerial level," said Vershinin.
He also said Russia considers the attempts to change the geographical, demographic, and historical character and status of East Jerusalem to be null and void.
Step back from brink, says UK
UK Permanent Representative to UN Barbara Woodward said ongoing violence across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories is deeply concerning and it must stop.
"I repeat my prime minister's call that both sides step back from the brink and show restraint. This cycle of violence must end," said Woodward.
"The UK remains committed to the two-state solution as the best way to permanently end the occupation and bring peace and stability to the region," she added.
French representative Nicolas de Riviere urged the Security Council to immediately act to halt the violence in Palestine and Israel.
"This Council must unite to launch a unanimous call for a swift cessation of hostilities. This is the only priority today. And it is our collective responsibility," said de Riviere.
"The real solution is to bring Israel to halt its policy of settlement in the Palestinian territories," said the French envoy.
