Over the weekend, UNSG Ban Ki-moon “voiced deep concern over the continuing planning for new Israeli settlements in occupied East Jerusalem,” stressing that the recent developments in that regard are unacceptable, particularly as efforts are ongoing to resume talks under the Middle East Peace Process. (From UN News Centre Sources) Planning for new settlements run contrary to the call by the Quartet – the diplomatic group comprising the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States – on all parties to refrain from provocative actions according to the UNSG. (See FILM REPORT – “East Jerusalem” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/east-jerusalem/26782 ) The Secretary-General reiterated that settlement activity in East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank is contrary to international law and to Israel's obligations under the Roadmap to a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and must cease. The UNSG also stressed that the international community would not recognize unilateral actions on the ground and that the status of Jerusalem can only be resolved through negotiations. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been stalled since late September last year after Israel's refusal to extend a 10-month freeze on settlement activity. The talks had only resumed a few weeks earlier after a two-year hiatus. In the meantime, the Palestinian application for UN state membership remains “under review” by a UN Security Council working group. There is an element of purposeful delay to this “review” in order to give opportunity for consensus or some other alternative to evolve. Following Brief Comment from UN Security Council Report: “Under Rule 59 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council, the Committee is expected to examine the application and report its conclusions to the Council no less than 35 days before a regular session of the General Assembly or no less than 14 days before a Special Session. It appears that the time limit in Rules 59 are intended to give the General Assembly sufficient time to consider the Council’s recommendation, and in effect they do not require the Committee or the Council to make a decision within a certain time frame.” This though a rather dynamic and risky period for most seeking peace. For Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the credit he gained with the Palestinian constituency in put forward the application could easily be lost to Hamas (which opposed the UN application) ironically driven by two new momentums, continued Israeli settlements and the prisoner exchange it engineered with Israel. (See FILM REPORT - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/israel-hamas-prisoner-exchange/28835 ). Despite meager results for both, Hamas argues that its significantly harder line toward Israel and non-recognition is delivering more in real terms including 1,000 freed Palestinians. ARTICLE – “What’s at Stake in Palestine Statehood Debate?” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/palestine-un-membership-whats-at-stake-by-ambassador-mo/35385 FILM REPORT –“Palestine/Israeli Confrontation at UN Security Council” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/palestineisraeli-confrontation-un/28688 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX