Israel, Palestine: UN ad hoc Conciliation Commission urges end to violence against civilians and return to negotiation*

GENEVA (13 December 2023) – All parties involved in the armed clashes in Gaza must refrain from all actions that endanger the lives and security of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem, and the State of Israel, the UN ad hoc Conciliation Commission said today.

The Commission also expressed its strongest condemnation of all violence and hostilities targeting civilians and the escalation of conflict since 7 October.

The ad hoc Conciliation Commission was established on 30 November 2021 by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in accordance with Article 12(1)(b) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

“The Commission is fully committed to carrying out its tasks according to its mandate. It keeps making its good offices available to both Governments, with a view to an amicable solution of the matter on the basis of respect for the Convention,” said Gün Kut, Chairperson of the ad hoc Conciliation Commission.

He called upon both Governments to consider the services of the Commission as available at any time and as a matter of priority.

Documents concerning the case of the State of Palestine against Israel are available online.

* This news release has been edited since it was issued.