China News Agency, United Nations, January 26. The newly appointed United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Thor Venneslan, briefed the Security Council for the first time since taking office on the 26th. He said that the Palestinian elections scheduled for later this year will be the The United Nations stands ready to provide support as a key step towards unity of the country.
Palestinian President Abbas announced earlier this month that the country’s legislative council and presidential elections will be held in May.
The last election of the Palestinian Legislative Council was held in 2006. The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) defeated the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fattah) led by Abbas and won the majority of seats.
In 2007, Fatah and Hamas clashed.
Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, Fatah actually controlled the West Bank, and Palestine fell into division.
Vinneslan said that elections are an important part of building a Palestinian state based on the rule of law and where everyone enjoys equal rights.
The holding of elections in the occupied territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and Gaza, can give the Palestinian state institutions new legitimacy.
The United Nations stands ready to support the efforts of the Palestinian people to exercise their democratic rights.
Vinneslan said that all parties in Palestine are about to hold talks in Cairo to resolve outstanding issues related to the election, which is essential to advance the preparatory process.
At the same time, the country’s election law has also been revised, increasing the minimum number of women representatives from 20% to 26%.
Venneslan welcomed Palestine’s move to increase women’s representation and called on the country to further promote, strengthen and support women’s participation in politics.
Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli situation, Venneslan emphasized that the "two-state solution" is still possible.
Israel and the Arab countries have recently reached a series of agreements and commitments, which Venneslan hopes will bring about a more peaceful situation in the Middle East.
He also emphasized that leaders of all parties should resume meaningful contacts and return to the path of negotiation.
Council members generally reiterated their support for the "two-state solution."
It is worth noting that Richard Mills, acting permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations, said on the same day that the United States will support a "mutually agreed two-state solution" under the leadership of the new government to realize the peaceful coexistence of Israel and the Palestinian state.
The US government will urge both Israel and Palestine to avoid unilateral measures that may hinder the "two-state solution."
He also emphasized that the United States will continue to oppose any resolution or action unilaterally targeting or excluding Israel in the United Nations.
During the former U.S. President Trump’s administration, the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the embassy there; Trump’s subsequent "Agreement of the Century" included recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The content is accused of "favoring" Israel. US President Biden and Secretary of State Blincol have recently voiced their support for the "two-state plan." But Brinken also made it clear that the current government will still recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and will not move the embassy. (Finish)