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Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, speaks at a press briefing on the Security Council program of work for the month of May at the UN headquarters in New York, May 3, 2021. /CFP
A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for restraint from Israel amid heightened tensions between Israel and Palestinians.
Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), presided over closed-door consultations of the UN Security Council on Israeli-Palestinian tensions, the second time this week, in his capacity as council president for the month of May. Zhang also elaborated on China's position, according to the Chinese UN mission.
Recent days have seen the continued deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. Escalating violence and tensions in East Jerusalem and serious conflicts in Gaza have caused massive civilian casualties. The Palestinian side has written many times to the Security Council, asking the council to pay more attention and take action, said Zhang.
China is deeply concerned with the situation in Palestine. China strongly condemns violence against civilians and calls on all relevant parties, especially Israel, to exercise restraint, he said.
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China urges all parties to immediately end all hostilities, abide by relevant UN resolutions and obligations under international law, and refrain from taking actions that may lead to further escalation. The historical status quo of the holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem should be upheld and respected, he said.
Efforts must be made to calm the tensions, protect the safety and rights of ordinary civilians, and prevent a full-scale crisis. China supports the United Nations in playing a bigger role in calming the tensions. Shouldering the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, the Security Council should speak with one voice, reaffirm the commitment to the two-state solution and deliver on its mission of maintaining international peace, said Zhang.
U.S. blocks statement
The Security Council failed to agree on a joint statement due to opposition from the United States, Israel's key ally, AFP reported Wednesday, citing anonymous comments by some diplomats.
The report said 14 of the 15 members of the Security Council were in favor of adopting a joint declaration aimed at reducing tension, but the U.S. saw the meeting as a sufficient show of concern and did not think a statement would "help de-escalate" the situation.
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The mother of Palestinian Rasheed Abu Arra, who was killed during clashes with Israeli forces, mourns her son alongside other women in the town of Aqqaba near Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 12, 2021. /Reuters
"The United States has been actively engaged in diplomacy behind the scenes with all parties, and across the region, to seek to de-escalate the situation. At this stage, a Council statement would be counterproductive," said one source familiar with discussions.
In Washington, chief diplomat Antony Blinken announced that a U.S. envoy would travel to the Middle East to seek to calm tensions.
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he was hopeful that the latest cycle of violence would end soon, after a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"My expectation and hope is this will be closing down sooner than later, but Israel has a right to defend itself," Biden told reporters at the White House.
Violence erupted last Friday at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque amid growing anger over the potential eviction of Palestinians from homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers. The clashes escalated on Monday.
(With input from agencies)
