The UN, concerned about tension in Palestine ahead of religious holidays

United Nations, 22 Mar The UN and several members of its Security Council on Tuesday expressed concern about the high tension between Israelis and Palestinians just as religious holidays approach and urged to avoid a new cycle of violence. “In just over a week, with the beginning of Ramadan, thousands of Muslims will go to pray to the holy places of Jerusalem, with the Jewish and Christian faithful soon after to celebrate Passover and Passover in April. This should be a time for reflection, prayer and peaceful celebration for all religions. Provocations must be avoided,” said United Nations envoy Tor Wennesland. The UN Head for the Middle East urged all sides to work to ensure calm and was very concerned that this sensitive time comes at a time of strong tensions fueled by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. “Acts of terrorism, violence and incitement must be clearly and unequivocally condemned by all. Officials on all sides have a responsibility to avoid any action that could increase tensions,” Wennesland said. While the meeting was taking place, news came from Israel about an alleged terrorist attack in the southern city of Beersheva, in which four people were killed and which, according to some sources, was committed by a Bedouin from the area with Israeli citizenship who would support the Islamic State. The Palestinian Islamist movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad, with a strong presence in Gaza, praised the attack, although neither group claimed responsibility. Like the UN, several members of the Security Council warned of the danger of the current situation, with France, for example, warning of the risk of a “brutal deterioration of the situation” and a further escalation of violence. Paris welcomed measures to ease tension taken by Israel - which has decided to halt the demolitions of Palestinian buildings during Ramadan - but stressed that evictions and demolitions must be permanently ended. The French ambassador, Nicolas de Rivière, also called for strict respect for the status quo on Jerusalem's holy sites and a “proportionate use of force”, as well as an end to the expansion of settlements. The question of Israeli colonies was precisely the focus of much of today's debate in the Security Council, which regularly reviews the implementation of resolution 2334, with which this body demanded an end to the expansion of settlements in 2016. The UN confirmed today that Israel continues to ignore that call and in recent months has authorized several construction projects in occupied territories, which are illegal under international law. According to Wennesland, the expansion of settlements continues to fuel violence, reinforce occupation and undermine the right of Palestinians to self-determination and an independent State. In total, some 670,000 Israelis currently live in illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to United Nations data. CHIEF mvs/fix/dmt