United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, today urged the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meeting for donor countries in New York to work to stabilize Palestinian institutions.
After thanking those at the meeting “for your consistent and long-term engagement in this forum and your commitment to finding a resolution to the conflict, ending the occupation and building the foundations for an independent Palestinian state,” Wennesland said that to move forward in a better direction, “we have to do some things differently – all of us – the parties, the donors, the UN and other international institutions.”
He said, “Serious political talks, supported by the international community, should begin to address key territorial and security issues, including those related to settlements and settler violence,” calling also for updating the Paris Economic Protocol signed between the Palestinians and Israel in 1994 that governs the economic relations between the two sides and covers the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The Special Coordinator said, “The international donor community needs to strengthen its strategic coordination and its structures for engagement with the Palestinian Authority (PA). It should do so alongside providing bridge financing to the PA for a time-bound and transitional period to facilitate key reforms and improve fiscal stability.”
He added, “Finally, let us, urgently stabilize the institutions and progress we have today and demonstrate renewed commitment to a future by preserving our shared vision for two States. To do so, the UN proposes a coordinated package of short-term investments to (i) restore Palestinian access to basic services in education, health, and social support; (ii) create employment opportunities for youth and women; (iii) repair basic infrastructure; and (iv) to strengthen the fiscal stability of the PA.”
Wennesland said the UN will also continue to implement and seek to expand efforts to sustain the ceasefire in Gaza, address the dire humanitarian needs of Palestinians in the Strip, and improve livelihoods.
“As always, the goal remains supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict and end the occupation in line with relevant United Nations resolutions, international law, and bilateral agreements in pursuit of a two State solution.”
