UN Security Council Meeting: The Situation in the Middle East-Including the Palestinian Question

Madam President,
Let me start by thanking the Special Coordinator, Mr. Tor Wennesland for his briefing on the present situation in the Middle East and for his efforts in facilitating de-escalation. All of us are deeply concerned by the highly volatile situation in East Jerusalem. The violent clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the compound of Haram Al-Sharif which begun on Friday, 15th April 2022, during the sacred celebrations of Ramadan, the Passover and Easter, require the urgent attention and dialogue among the appropriate authorities. We also note with deep
concern the effect on the freedom of worship on the Temple Mount of the activities of those inciting violence or engaging in violence. The recurrence of tensions and violence around the holy sites, which have resulted in casualties of both Palestinian and Israelis, raises serious concerns for stability in the Middle East region. We therefore call for the preservation and continuing full respect of the historic and legal status quo of the holy sites to preserve the sanctity of the religious grounds, manage access, guarantee freedom of worship and ensure noninterference in the peaceful practice of the monolithic faiths of the Middle East.
 
Madam President,
Ghana welcomes the various efforts being made to achieve reconciliation between Israel and her Arab neighbors. We encourage renewed efforts towards the realization of the Two-State solution, with Israelis and Palestinians, living side by side within secure and recognized borders, and in peace, on the basis of international law, the tenets of the Charter and the parameters set out in the numerous decisions of this Council. Ghana reiterates its condemnation of violent and terrorist attacks in Israel against innocent citizens by militants, leading to death and injury. The
destabilizing objectives of the militants do not align with the international consensus for a peacefully negotiated solution We note with concern Israel’s closure of the border crossings used by pedestrians, civilian workers and traders and urge the easing of the restrictions and the reopening of the crossings as soon as possible, bearing in mind the potential impact of the closure on the ailing Palestinian economy.
 
We however welcome the commitment expressed by the Israeli Government to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid during the period of the closure and ask that more be done to alleviate the condition of the Palestinian people. In this regard, we encourage the parties to sustain their engagements on concrete measures that would make a positive impact on the daily lives of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
 
Madam President,
Taking into account the present situation in the occupied territory and the challenges that exist in the Quartet, the Council must assume its responsibility and facilitate a renewed commitment by the parties to reinvigorate a robust political process that builds on the outcomes of previous initiatives, cognizant of the need to define a clear political horizon in the direction of the Two-State
solution. Despite the intractable nature of the conflict, we believe that it is possible to bring finality to the decades-long question of Palestine. Ghana will continue, therefore, to support international efforts for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
 
I thank you for the kind attention.