Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Climate And Israel Unrwa topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UN spokesperson: GA vote affirms climate science; secretary-general condemns Israeli move at UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah site
Summary
At a United Nations press briefing, the spokesperson said the General Assembly's recent resolution following the ICJ advisory opinion "is a powerful affirmation of international law, of climate justice, of climate science," and repeated the secretary-general's condemnation of Israeli plans at the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound, urging restoration of UN premises.
The United Nations press office said the General Assembly's recent resolution following the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate change "is a powerful affirmation of international law, of climate justice, of climate science," and cited the secretary-general's call to keep 1.5 degrees within reach and to accelerate "a rapid, a just, and an equitable transition away from fossil fuel and towards renewable energy."
The spokesperson, Steph, said the secretary-general commended Pacific island countries and young people for leadership on the issue and that "those least responsible for climate change are paying the highest price." He said the secretary-general will continue to advocate for urgent action and for renewables, which he called "cheaper and the most secure form of energy supply."
On developments in the occupied Palestinian territory, Steph said the secretary-general "condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli authority's decision to establish military facilities at the Anwar Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem," noting that the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound "remains United Nations premises" and that such measures breach the inviolability of United Nations premises. He urged the government of Israel to "rescind its decision and immediately return to the United Nations the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound."
The spokesperson summarized a briefing by Ramiz Alabharov, deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, warning that settlement expansion, settler violence and incitement continue to drive tensions in the West Bank and that Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued nearly daily, killing dozens and worsening a humanitarian crisis that leaves the population "deeply dependent on daily humanitarian deliveries."
Steph cited operational data to illustrate strain on services in Gaza: partners collected more than 180 pallets of medical supplies at the Karim Abu Salam crossing; the World Health Organization reports just over half of primary health-care facilities are functioning and slightly more than half of hospitals are operational, though only partially; and WHO has recorded 22 attacks on health care this year that have caused casualties or affected transport and facilities.
The briefing closed with the spokesperson reiterating the UN position that humanitarian access must be facilitated and that parties must comply with obligations under international humanitarian law.
