Vietnam urges conducive environment for Middle East peace process

Palestinian protestors clash with Israeli police at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on May 10, 2021. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

New York (VNA) – The United Nations Security Council held a briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on November 30.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, expressed concerns over the continued violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the West Bank. The number of attacks by settlers in the first ten months of 2021 was the highest recorded level of violence in recent years.

He pointed out that another alarming trend on the ground is the continued expansion of settlements by Israel in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and that those activities constitute violations of international law and relevant UN resolutions.

Vietnam calls upon the Israeli authorities to end all settlement activities and unilateral acts that erode the hopes for a just and sustainable solution to the conflict, the diplomat said.

He added that Vietnam welcomes the recent statement and efforts by the Quartet and the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee to advance the two-State solution and assist the Palestinian Authority in the face of its acute financial situation.

Vietnam encourages further engagement of all stakeholders to create a conducive environment for broad and significant dialogues and negotiations, according to the ambassador.

On the humanitarian front, Quy appealed to relevant parties for facilitating humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, saying that UN staff and members of international humanitarian organisations should be able to enter and exit Gaza without any restrictions.

Vietnam also voiced support for comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term solutions to this issue.

At the briefing, member states of the Security Council expressed their concerns over the risk of tension re-escalation. Many showed their opposition to and called for an end to Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and demolition and taking over of homes and assets of Palestinians.

Some called on the Quartet to organise an international conference involving the relevant stakeholders to reactivate the stagnant peace process. Many states also underlined the necessity for ensuring a favourable environment for post-conflict humanitarian activities and reconstruction in Gaza./.