Urgent Action Needed to Prevent and Prosecute Violence in the West Bank: UK Addresses UN Security Council

The United Kingdom firmly asserts that the only viable route to achieving lasting peace and security lies in a two-state solution. This envisages a secure Israel coexisting alongside a sovereign and viable Palestinian state, comprising both Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Key Priorities for Progress

Three essential priorities have been identified to advance this objective. The first pertains to the situation in Gaza. The UK welcomes the renewed emphasis on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803 and advocates for its full realisation.

This entails that all involved parties must adhere to their commitments, which include maintaining the ceasefire, Hamas upholding its decommissioning obligations, the phased withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces as outlined in the 20-point plan and the Roadmap for Phase Two, and the transfer of governance and security control to the Palestinian Authority. The UK encourages the Palestinian Authority to continue enacting necessary reforms to effectively fulfil this role.

Gratitude is extended to the United States, Qatar, Türkiye, and Egypt for their relentless efforts in facilitating these negotiations. The UK remains committed to collaborating with all partners to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza and to mitigate the terror threat posed by Hamas. As Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband remarked, “conditions for the people of Gaza remain appalling.”

It is imperative for Israeli authorities to lift unacceptable restrictions on aid, thereby ensuring safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Gaza.

Addressing Violence in the West Bank

The second priority is to tackle the escalating violence in the West Bank. The UK unequivocally condemns the rising incidents of violence in this region. In July alone, the tragic loss of life included thirteen Palestinians and two Israelis.

Recent assaults by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages and communities, sometimes accompanied by personnel from the Israeli Defence Forces, are particularly concerning. These occurrences are not isolated, as the OCHA’s report for July documents over 1,300 incidents related to settlers, impacting more than 250 Palestinian communities. This has resulted in approximately 900 Palestinians injured, over 3,200 displaced, and at least three Israelis killed with 24 others injured this year.

The impact on children, who are often the most affected by such conflicts, is especially distressing. They face repeated exposure to violence, displacement, and disruptions caused by movement restrictions and military operations. For instance, on 4 August, Israeli forces destroyed three donor-funded classrooms at Sha’ab al Butum School, just weeks ahead of the new school year.

The UK calls upon the Israeli government to uphold its responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian population in the occupied territories. While recent arrests and indictments of those responsible for settler violence by Israeli authorities are welcomed, it is crucial that perpetrators are held accountable, having enjoyed impunity for far too long. Further action is necessary to prevent and prosecute acts of violence. Security measures employed by Israeli authorities must be proportional, align with international law, and contribute to de-escalation.

The Need to Halt Settlement Expansion

The third priority involves halting the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Such settlements are deemed illegal under international law, undermining the feasibility of a two-state solution and exacerbating insecurity for both Palestinians and Israelis. Over the past four years, the Government of Israel has approved 104 new settlements, marking an 80% increase, and has allocated unprecedented financial resources for their construction.

The UK condemns the threats to expand illegal settlements and opposes the reintroduction of the E1 settlement plan, which seeks to divide the West Bank. Recent mass incursions at the Haram al Sharif / Temple Mount have raised significant concerns. It is essential that the Status Quo regarding Jerusalem’s holy sites is respected.

In recent weeks, renewed efforts have emerged to implement Resolution 2803, which represents a promising pathway towards lasting peace. However, the deteriorating situation in the West Bank must not jeopardise this hard-won progress.