China News Agency, United Nations, January 18th, the United Nations Security Council held an open debate on the Palestinian issue in the Middle East on the 18th.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, called on the international community to prevent the situation between Palestine and Israel from getting out of control.

　　On the same day, the UN Special Envoy for the Middle East, Vinneslan, made a briefing.

Wennesland expressed concern about the security situation in the West Bank, incidents at religious holy sites, and settlement issues.

He pointed out that between December 8 last year and January 13 this year, a total of 131 Palestinians were injured or killed by Israeli security forces, while five Israeli civilians were injured by Palestinian attacks against Israelis.

Women and children were among the casualties mentioned above, and the related situation is worrying.

　　Zhang Jun said in his speech that 2023 has just begun, but the negative situation in the occupied Palestinian territory has followed one after another, developing in the opposite direction of peace and stability.

At present, only firm political will, urgent and decisive diplomatic actions, and the collective efforts of the entire international community, including the Security Council, can prevent the situation between Palestine and Israel from spiraling out of control.

　　Zhang Jun emphasized that the historical status quo of Jerusalem's religious holy sites should be effectively maintained.

Religious holy sites are related to the religious feelings of believers, and have repeatedly caused bloody conflicts. They are very sensitive and must be investigated.

Earlier this month, Israeli government officials entered the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, raising tensions and sparking widespread concern.

The Security Council held urgent discussions at the request of China and the UAE.

China's attitude is clear. It must earnestly maintain the historical status quo of Jerusalem's religious holy sites and earnestly respect Jordan's jurisdiction over religious holy sites in accordance with the requirements of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly resolutions.

Relevant parties should maintain calm and restraint, and Israel in particular should stop all incitement and provocation.

　　Zhang Jun said that Israel recently announced a series of punitive measures against Palestine, such as deducting taxes and suspending construction permits, which will not only target the Palestinian National Authority, but will also have an impact on ordinary people and civil society in Palestine.

China strongly urges Israel to heed the overwhelming voice of members of the Security Council, review relevant decisions, and stop all unilateral actions that damage trust and intensify confrontation.

The volatile security situation in the West Bank and the high number of civilian casualties are also of concern.

China condemns all indiscriminate attacks against civilians, serious violations against children, and opposes excessive use of force by security forces.

China encourages Palestine and Israel to break the cycle of violence through dialogue and cooperation and achieve common security.

　　Zhang Jun said that in the first 11 months of 2022, 851 Palestinian buildings were forcibly demolished or expropriated, including schools built with aid.

Settlement activities violate international law and Security Council resolutions, disrupt the continuity of the occupied territories and seriously erode the living space of the Palestinian people.

China urges Israel to fulfill its obligations under the Security Council resolutions, stop expanding settlements, stop forcibly demolishing Palestinian houses, stop threatening to deport people in Masafir Yata and other areas, and stop unilaterally changing the status quo of the occupied territories.

　　Zhang Jun said that the "two-state solution" must be fully implemented with the greatest sense of urgency.

Facing the long-term historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people, no one has any excuse for delay or reason for inaction.

Peace is possible, but what is needed is that the international community, with a sense of urgency, make greater efforts to promote the resumption of talks between Palestine and Israel, and take substantive steps to advance the "two-state solution" on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.

China urges countries with important influence in this regard to uphold a fair stance, shoulder due responsibilities, and take concrete actions.

China will continue to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue.

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